Jakarta

I

Introduction

Jakarta, also Djakarta, formerly Batavia, capital and largest city of the Republic of Indonesia. It is centrally located within the country on the north-west coast of the island of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. Batavia, as the city was called by the Dutch, was the capital of the Netherlands Indies from the early 17th century through to the mid-20th century. Jakarta dominates Indonesia's administrative, economic, and cultural activities, and is a major commercial and transport hub within Asia.

The climate is hot and humid all year round. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, although it is heaviest from November to May. The average annual precipitation in Jakarta is 1,790 mm (71 in). The city lies on a flat, low alluvial plain and is prone to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. There is little seasonal variation in temperature; the average high in January is 29° C (84° F) and in July 30° C (86° F).

Since the early 1970s the urban sprawl of Jakarta has grown into the adjacent province of West Java. For development and planning purposes, this large urban area is known as Jabotabek, an acronym for Jakarta and its West Java satellite towns of Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi. In addition to the resident population of 9,341,400 (1997 estimate), Jakarta is home to seasonal residents who may number more than 1 million. Population growth is high: in 1986 the Jabotabek region had an estimated population of 14.6 million; the projected population for 2005 is 26 million. Reducing the rate of Jakarta's population growth is a national priority. In the 1970s efforts failed to control growth by prohibiting the entry of unemployed migrants. The current strategy emphasizes family planning, dispersing the population throughout the greater Jabotabek region, and promoting transmigration (the voluntary movement of families to Indonesia's less populated islands).

Jakarta is a magnet for migrants from other areas of Indonesia; during the late 1980s an estimated 250 migrants arrived daily. Most were between the ages of 15 and 39 years. There are also a significant number of commuters and seasonal migrants who work in government, manufacturing, and services. In addition, many of these temporary residents are engaged in informal employment as drivers, vendors, street sweepers, or in other similar occupations.

The population of Jakarta includes people of many ethnic groups. Sundanese from West Java and Javanese dominate, but people from Sumatra, Bali, and other islands are well represented. There is also a significant Chinese population that is usually divided into two groups: Peranakans, who are Indonesian-born Chinese with some Indonesian ancestry; and Totoks, who have only Chinese ancestry and are usually foreign-born. Most people in Jakarta are Muslims. However, Buddhism, Hinduism, and a variety of Christian faiths are also represented.

II

Economy

Jakarta developed as a centre of trade under the Europeans and it continues to play an important role in international and domestic commerce. The metropolitan region of Jakarta is Indonesia's largest economic centre; it attracts most of Indonesia's domestic and foreign investment and, as the administrative capital, government expenditures are also significant. A major positive development is the strong growth of tourism and Jakarta's role as a gateway to other areas of Indonesia.

Manufacturing is notable, and products include textiles, footwear, apparel, foods, chemicals, plastics, and metal products. Near Jakarta's port is an export processing zone, an industrial area where manufacturers may produce goods for export without incurring Indonesian taxes. In addition, a large industrial area developed by the government (with the help of a World Bank loan) is located at Pulo Gadung, south of the port area.

Jakarta's need for renewal and modern facilities has fuelled an ongoing construction boom since the early 1970s. Demand for office blocks, hotels, and housing attracts private funds. Public funds are used to address the city's electricity and water resources, among other needs. Property, financial services such as banking and insurance, and business services such as advertising employ relatively few people but produce high income.

The number of private motor vehicles, used mainly by people with middle and upper incomes, has increased faster than any other form of transport in Jakarta and this has created a demand for the expansion of roads and parking. Traffic congestion is a serious problem despite costly efforts to create new and improved roads. Traffic control measures, such as restricted lanes for high-occupancy vehicles, have helped somewhat. The majority of people must rely on public transport. Although the fleet is old and breakdowns are frequent, buses are the most common form of mass transit. In addition, a variety of smaller vehicles, including the motorized three-wheeled bajaj, are important. To ease congestion, the government banned the use of becaks (three-wheeled pedicabs). However, they are still widely used in the city's neighbourhoods as an inexpensive and accessible mode of transport. The modernization and expansion of Jakarta's urban rail system has been an important planning issue since the 1970s; a major upgrading of the electric railway network is now in progress.

In response to increased tourism and business traffic, Sukarno-Hatta International Airport opened in 1985 at Cengkareng, west of the city centre. Port facilities are located just north of the city at Tanjung Priok, one of the chief ports in Indonesia.

Jakarta's telephone system has improved greatly, but the number of houses with phones is still relatively low and a waiting list exists for connection. The city's newspapers are mostly published and read by middle- and upper-class residents. Kompas and Berita Harian, published in Bahasa Indonesia, Indonesia's official language, are among the major daily newspapers available in Jakarta. The Jakarta Post is the major English language daily. Radio communication is dominated by Radio of the Republic of Indonesia, but radio broadcast stations are numerous. Jakarta also receives several television channels, including one government-operated and government-controlled station.

III

Places of Interest

A

Landmarks

Notable landmarks include the former Dutch city hall (Stadhuis), which now houses the Jakarta History Museum; Istana Merdeka, the presidential palace; and Istiqlal Mosque, with space for more than 120,000 worshippers. Merdeka Square, with the National Monument (Monas or Monumen Nasional) at its centre, dominates the city's central district. Just south of Merdeka Square, along the connected arteries of Jalan Thamrin and Jendral Sudirman, are major hotels, financial institutions, and the headquarters of domestic and multinational corporations.

The Jabotabek region offers many recreational opportunities. Kebun Raya, a world-renowned botanical garden located in Bogor, was laid out during the 19th century. The Ragunan Zoo is located south of Jakarta. Among the city's parks, Medan Merdeka is the best known. The park features the National Monument, a pinnacle towering nearly 140 m (460 ft).

Taman Mini Indonesia, located south-east of the city, is a large cultural theme park depicting the arts, customs, and lifestyle of each of Indonesia's 27 provinces and districts. Sporting facilities include the Senayan Sports Complex. The Ancol complex on Jakarta Bay includes an oceanarium and South East Asia's largest amusement park. A variety of open-air markets are located throughout the city.

B

Education and Culture

Jakarta has more than 100 private and public institutions of higher learning, including the University of Indonesia, founded in 1950, the nation's oldest university. Despite the large number of institutions, there are more students than these schools can accommodate. There are also insufficient vocational institutions to meet the demand for training.

Jakarta's cultural institutions showcase a variety of Indonesian art, including textiles, batik cloth (cloth that is dyed by a technique using wax), wayang orang (traditional theatre with human actors), and wayang kulit (traditional puppet theatre), painting, and Javanese and Balinese gamelan (drum-and-gong ensemble) music. See Indonesian Dance; Indonesian Music; South East Asian Theatre.

Important museums include the Jakarta History Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Museum.