Jakarta

/jeuh kahr"teuh/, n.

a seaport in and the capital of Indonesia, on the NW coast of Java. 4,576,009.

Also, Djakarta, Jacarta. Formerly, Batavia.

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formerly (1949–72) Djakarta

Capital (pop., 1999 est.: 9,604,900) and largest city of Indonesia.

Located on the northwestern coast of Java, it was founded in 1527 after the sultan of Bantam defeated the Portuguese on the site. The Dutch took control in 1619, renaming it Batavia and establishing it as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company. In 1949 the city was renamed and made Indonesia's capital. It grew rapidly, soon becoming one of the world's most populous cities. A major trade, industrial, and financial centre, it is also the seat of several universities.

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▪ Indonesia

Introduction

formerly (until 1949)  Batavia  or  (1949–72)  Djakarta 

      largest city and capital of Indonesia. Coextensive with the metropolitan district of Jakarta Raya, it lies at the mouth of the Ciliwung (Liwung River) on the northwest coast of Java.

      In 1966, when the city was declared a special capital district (daerah khusus ibukota), it gained a status approximately equivalent to that of a state or province. The city has long been a major trade and financial centre. It has also become an important industrial city and a centre for education. Area 255 square miles (661 square km). Pop. (2000) 8,347,083.

Physical and human geography

The landscape

The city site

 Jakarta lies on a low, flat alluvial plain with historically extensive swampy areas; the parts of the city farther inland are slightly higher. It is easily flooded during the rainy season. The draining of swamps for building purposes and the continuous decrease of upland forest vegetation have increased the danger of floods. With such an excess of water in the soil, Jakarta has a shortage of clean drinking water, for which there is increasing demand. The area is quite fertile for fruit and other horticulture, as most of the soil is of old volcanic origin.

Climate

      Jakarta is a tropical, humid city, with annual temperatures ranging between the extremes of 75 and 93 °F (24 and 34 °C) and a relative humidity between 75 and 85 percent. The average mean temperatures are 79 °F (26 °C) in January and 82 °F (28 °C) in October. The annual rainfall is more than 67 inches (1,700 mm). Temperatures are often modified by sea winds. Jakarta, like any other large city, also has its share of air and noise pollution.

The city layout

      Although the Dutch were the first to attempt to plan the city, the city layout is probably more British than Dutch in character, as can be seen from such large squares as the Medan Merdeka (“Freedom Field”) and Lapangan Banteng (meaning “place of the gaur [large wild ox]”). The Oriental style, or “indische” style, as the Dutch call it, is apparent not only in the city's way of life but also in the types of houses, the wide, tree-lined streets, and the original spacious gardens and house lots. In Kebayoran, a satellite town built since World War II on the southwestern side of the city, and in other modern developments, the houses and garden lots are much smaller than in the older colonial districts.

      Jakarta has long been a city of new settlers who assimilated local ways and became Jakartans themselves. Some traditional neighbourhoods can, however, be identified. The Kota (“Fort”), or Old City, for example, sometimes called the downtown section, is the central business district and Indonesia's financial capital. It houses a significant part of the Chinese population. The area of Kemayoran (“Progress”) and Senen, originally on the eastern fringe of the city, is now almost central in its location and increasingly has become the city's major retail area. The Jatinegara (“Real Country”) section, originally a Sundanese settlement but later incorporated as a separate town, then a Dutch army camp (Meester Cornelis), is now merged with the rest of Jakarta and includes many new settlers. The Menteng and Gondangdia sections were formerly fashionable residential areas near the central Medan Merdeka (then called Weltevreden). To the west, Tanahabang (“Red Earth”) and Jati Petamburan are, like Kemayoran, densely developed. Tanjung Priok is the harbour, with its own community attached to it.

      The most common type of house in the city is the kampong, or village house; most are built of materials such as wood or bamboo mats, but this does not necessarily mean that they are substandard. Another common type of housing, often used to house government workers, is the colonial urban house, or rumah gedongan; these are mostly single-family detached or semidetached houses, each standing on a separate lot. Apartment buildings constitute a more modern category; although they are more economical in the use of land than single-family types, their architectural and construction costs often make them fairly expensive. Housing is generally overcrowded.

      Some of Jakarta's buildings, such as the Portuguese Church (1695) in the Kota, are of architectural or historical interest. Some of the buildings around the city square in the Kota also date from colonial times, including the old city hall (1710), which has been restored and now serves as the municipal museum. The National Archives building was originally the palace of a Dutch governor-general, Abraham van Riebeeck. The Ministry of Finance building, facing Lapangan Banteng, also was designed as a governor's palace (Herman Willem Daendels, one of Napoleon's marshals). The Presidential Palace, north of Medan Merdeka, faces the Monas, or Monumen Nasional (National Monument). The Istiqlal Mosque, in the northeast corner of Medan Merdeka opposite Lapangan Banteng, is one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia. The National Museum (formerly the Central Museum), on the west side of the Medan Merdeka, houses a collection of historical, cultural, and artistic artifacts.

      After World War II Jakarta underwent a building boom. The Hotel Indonesia (the city's first high-rise building) and the Senayan Sports Complex were built for the Asian Games in 1962. Most high-rise buildings are located along Husni Thamrin and Raya Jendral Sudirman roads, connecting Jakarta with Kebayoran.

The people

      The population of Jakarta has increased dramatically since 1940. Much of this increase is attributed to immigration, which has transformed Jakarta into one of the world's largest urban agglomerations. Although government regulations close the city to unemployed new settlers, better economic conditions inevitably attract new people. In addition, much of the population is young, resulting in a very high natural increase potential. Analysis of the immigrant stream shows that, after the West Javanese, the largest groups represented are the Central and East Javanese; a sizable number also are from Sumatra. Other population groups—Arabs, Indians, Europeans, and Americans—are present in small numbers.

The economy

      Economically, Jakarta plays several roles. It can be identified first as the national capital and a central place of control for the national economy, then as an administrative centre in its own right, and as a significant industrial hub. In addition, its location as a port makes it an important centre for trade.

Industry

      Jakarta has some manufacturing industries. There are several iron foundries and repair shops, margarine and soap factories, and printing works. Machinery, cigarettes, paper, glassware, and wire cable—as well as aluminum and asbestos and, more recently, automotive products—are manufactured. There are also tanneries, sawmills, textile mills, food-processing plants, breweries, and a film industry.

Commerce and trade

      The cost of living in the city continues to rise. Land is expensive and rents are high. Industrial development and the construction of new housing are usually undertaken on the outskirts, while commerce and banking remain concentrated in the city centre. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce is active in promoting trade with other countries; the annual Jakarta Fair (usually held from July to August) also serves to promote trade. Jakarta is the centre of roughly one-fourth of Indonesia's trade and services and two-thirds of its banking and financial sectors.

      To meet the needs of the local city population, the municipality operates several markets. The central city markets (Pasar Kota), like the markets of Pasar Senen to the east of the central city and Pasar Glodok in the Kota area, are major retail centres. The Pasar Jatinegara is primarily a food supply centre. The district markets are fairly large, with each one catering to a whole section of the city. There are also small neighbourhood markets, each serving only a limited area. Special markets include one selling fish, one selling used and new automobile parts, the Pasar Rumput flea market, and the Jalan Surabaya souvenir and antique market. Jakarta also has several general neighbourhood markets.

Transportation

      Major road arteries lead west from the centre of the Kota and east and south from the administrative centre in Gambir. Traffic congestion is a major problem, as is pollution. To the east a major railroad connects the city with all of the island of Java. There is also a highway, primarily a regional supply road, running between Jakarta and the agriculturally productive areas of East and Central Java. To the south a road and railroad connect Jakarta with Bogor, Sukabumi, and Bandung. To the west a railroad and road run to Banten and to the harbour in Merak, which is connected by ferry to Lampung in Sumatra.

      The port of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta is the largest in Indonesia, handling exports from West Java and a large proportion of Indonesia's import trade; many goods are transshipped to other islands or harbours.

      Jakarta is served by several international airlines, by Garuda Indonesian Airways (the national airline, with international and domestic service), and by other domestic airlines. The city's main international airport is located about 12 miles (20 km) to the west at Cengkareng, and a smaller facility is just to the southeast.

      The central bus terminal, located on Lapangan Banteng, serves all the city, intercity, and regional bus lines; there are also suburban bus terminals in Jatinegara, Kebayoran, Grogol, Kota, and Tanjung Priok. The major railroad stations are in the Kota and at Gambir in Medan Merdeka, Pasar Senen in the east, and Manggarai and Jatinegara in the south. Tanahabang serves the west and traffic to Merak. Traffic jams occur particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Public transportation in the city is by bus or minibus. The becak, or tricycle taxi, is used only for local neighbourhood transportation, and regular taxis now operate throughout the metropolitan area.

Administration and social conditions

Government

      Jakarta is formally classified as a special metropolitan district (daerah khusus ibukota). The city is thus at the administrative level of an Indonesian province, and its mayor has the same status as the governor of a province. Jakarta itself is divided into five administrative municipalities. The mayor is responsible for supervising the administration of local government and for coordinating the local offices of national government ministries. The city government is composed of two branches, the executive and the electorate. The executive consists of a governor assisted by four vice governors, an executive staff, and a regional secretary; there are also a number of city directorates, bureaus, and agencies attached to the executive. The electorate consists of select members drawn from political parties, the armed forces, and so-called functional groups. It is headed by a council of five members, one chairman, and four vice chairmen.

Public utilities

      Public utilities are usually operated or owned by the Indonesian government. The State Electricity Company and the subsidiary State Gas Company both supply Jakarta. Postal and cable services and telephone services are supplied by state companies working under the aegis of the Department of Communications. Jakarta's electricity comes from several sources; these include the thermal plant in Ancol, close to the port of Tanjung Priok, smaller diesel plants in various parts of the city, and the Jatiluhur hydroelectricity project located close to Purwakarta, about 70 miles (110 km) southeast of Jakarta. A thermal power plant operates in Surabaya.

      The city government is responsible for the water supply. The city water is obtained in part from freshwater springs in the Bogor area, but most of the supply comes from the Pejompongan water treatment plant. Water is required mainly for domestic purposes but is also needed for industry and to supply ships. The removal of garbage and the provision of other sanitation services are also the responsibility of the municipality.

Health

      Jakarta is the centre for many health facilities in Indonesia. There are several major hospitals, including those operated directly by the Department of Health, the Roman Catholic church, and a Protestant mission. Municipal hospitals serve separate areas of the city. Altogether Jakarta has about 40 general or special hospitals. In addition, there are several hundred general clinics or polyclinics located throughout the city. A quarantine hospital is in operation in Tanjung Priok. The city also operates a hospital and rehabilitation centre for the mentally ill and destitute, and there are many family-planning and child-care clinics.

Education

      To meet the needs for primary education, many new elementary schools and secondary schools have been built, and a number of old school buildings have been renovated. There is a well-developed system of kindergartens, elementary schools, madrasahs (religious schools), secondary schools, and high schools. There are also many vocational and special schools and more than 100 universities, academies, and institutes for higher learning. The largest and best-known university is the Universitas Indonesia (founded 1950).

Cultural life

      Among other cultural activities, the Taman Ismail Marzuki centre has facilities for traditional or classical art performances as well as theatres for presenting modern plays and concerts; the centre also has a planetarium. Traditional performances include wayang dance and drama, gamelan music, and wayang puppet shows. Traditional performances representing the culture of other parts of Indonesia are included in the programs presented at the annual Jakarta Fair.

      Extensive public recreation spots in and around Jakarta include a seaside recreation area at Ancol and the Ragunan Zoological Gardens near Pasarminggu. The latter houses such indigenous animals as Komodo dragons, Sumatran tigers, and orangutans. Playgrounds include the Taman Ria and the Taman Ria Remaja complexes. The fairgrounds, designed as an exhibition facility, opened in 1992. Jakarta's historic section, known as “Old Batavia,” highlights the city's Dutch influence. Although some of the buildings there were destroyed in the 19th century, a major restoration project got under way in the 1970s. The 250-acre (100-hectare) Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature) park, just southeast of the city, contains exhibits of traditional houses representing each of Indonesia's provinces. The city also provides public recreation facilities.

History

      The first settlements on the site of Jakarta were established at the mouth of the Ciliwung, perhaps as early as the 5th century AD. The city's official history, however, starts in 1527, when the sultan of Bantam defeated the Portuguese there and called the place Jayakerta (Sundanese: “Glorious Fortress”). The Dutch, under the leadership of Jan Pieterszoon Coen (Coen, Jan Pieterszoon), captured and razed the city in 1619, after which the capital of the Dutch East Indies—a walled township named Batavia—was established on the site.

      The colonial history of the city can be divided into three major periods. First was that of the Dutch East India Company, when most of the activities of the city centred around the fortress and the company warehouses. At that time the city somewhat resembled a typical Dutch town, complete with canals. The second period began in the early 1800s, when the city was extended to include higher and more healthful areas to the south, which would later become the seat of the new colonial government. A brief interval of British control during the Napoleonic Wars, ending in 1815, interrupted the second period. During the third period, which lasted from about the 1920s to 1941, the city became modernized.

      The colonial era ended when Indonesia was occupied by Japanese forces in World War II. After the war the city was briefly occupied by the Allies and then was returned to the Dutch. During the Japanese occupation and again after Indonesian nationalists declared independence on August 17, 1945, the city was renamed Djakarta. The Dutch name Batavia remained the internationally recognized name until full Indonesian independence was achieved and Djakarta was officially proclaimed the national capital (and its present name recognized) on December 27, 1949.

      Jakarta has undergone tremendous growth and development since Indonesia's independence. During the 1950s the city began its transformation, as President Sukarno supported large-scale construction projects. The city's infrastructure was modernized, and office towers rose. Jakarta became one of the largest metropolises of tropical Asia and emerged as a financial and commercial centre during the tenure of Suharto, whose reign was marked by widespread corruption and nepotism. After decades of economic growth, the city and the country were hit hard by a financial crisis in Asia in 1997–98. Widespread antigovernment protests and rioting ensued, which claimed the lives of more than 500 people; Suharto was forced to resign in 1998. Thus, at the outset of the 21st century, Indonesia and Jakarta were undergoing a dramatic economic, political, and social transition.

Willem Johan Waworoentoe Ed.

Additional Reading

The history of Jakarta can be found in F. De Haan, Uit Oud-Batavia (1898); Djakarta, Kotapradja, Sedjarah pemerintahan kota Djakarta (1958); and Susan Abeyasekere, Jakarta: A History, rev. ed. (1989). A guide to the city is Peter Turner, Jakarta: A Lonely Planet City Guide (1995). Census and population information may be found in the Jakarta volumes issued by the Biro Pusat Statistik in its Sensus penduduk (Census of Population) reports for the censuses of 1961, 1971, 1980, and 1990; and in H.J. Heeren (ed.), The Urbanisation of Djakarta (1955). See also Djakarta: Its Rehabilitation and Development (no date), issued by the Badan Perentjana Pembangunan (Development Planning Body) of the City Government; and Pauline D. Milone, Urban Areas in Indonesia (1966).Willem Johan Waworoentoe Ed.

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