|
|
JAKARTA - INDONESIA
Jakarta, known as Djakarta or DKI Jakarta, is
the capital city of Indonesia, located on the island of Java. It has an area
of 650 km˛ and a population of 8.3 million (as of 2000)
History
Jakarta, founded in the 15th century, began as a small harbor city located
near the mouth of the Ciliwung river. Prior to this, several European
writers reported a settlement called Kalapa. It was a major port for the
Hindish kingdom of Sunda, with its capital Kalapa, about 40km to the south
of Kalapa, near the modern city of Bogor. The Portuguese were reported to be
the first Europeans to visit the port of Kalapa. The port is still called
Sunda Kelapa today.
The city was attacked by a young warrior
Fatahillah (or Faletehan) from a nearby kingdom. Fatahillah changed the name
Kalapa into Jayakarta on 22 June 1527. This particular date is regarded as
the official birth date of Jakarta. The Dutch came to Jayakarta at the end
of the 16th century. In 1619 the forces of the Dutch East India Company, led
by Jan Pieterszoon Coen, conquered the city and renamed Jayakarta as
Batavia, the Roman name for Holland.
When the Japanese arrived in 1942, to gain local favor, they renamed the
city as Jakarta. The city adopted its new name officially when Indonesia
became independent in 1949.
Administration
Unlike other cities in Indonesia, Jakarta has a special province status. The
city is headed by a governor, not by a mayor. Jakarta is divided into five
districts of kotamadya headed by walikotamadya.
East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur)
West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat)
North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara)
South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat)
The islands of Seribu (Kepulauan Seribu) to the north of Jakarta is also
part of Jakarta. It has the status of a regency and headed by a regent.
Problems
Like many big cities in developing countries, Jakarta suffers from major
urbanization problems. The population has sharply risen from 2.7 million in
1960 to 8.3 million in 2000. The rapid population growth has outgrown the
government's ability to provide basic needs for its residents. As the
biggest economy in Indonesia, Jakarta has attracted a large number of
workers from its surrounding areas. The population during weekdays is almost
double that of weeknights or weekends, due to the influx of workers residing
in the surrounding areas. Because of government's inability to provide
adequate transportation for its large population, Jakarta has also suffered
from severe traffic jams that occur almost every work day.
During the wet season, Jakarta suffers from floodings due to clogged sewages
and waterways. Depleting rainforest on the hill areas south of Jakarta near
Bogor and Depok, due to rapid urbanization, has also contributed to the
floods.
Culture
Being the capital of Indonesia and the center of governance, politics, and
economy, Jakarta attracts many immigrants foreign and domestic. As a result,
Jakarta has a decidedly cosmopolitan flavor and a diverse culture. Many of
the immigrants are from other parts of Java, bringing along a mixture of
dialects of Javanese and Sundanese, and their traditional foods and customs.
A person born in Jakarta is called the Betawinese.
Jakarta has several performance centers, such as the Senayan center.
Traditional music is often found at high-class hotels, including Wayang and
gamelan performances.
As the largest city Jakarta has attracted many regional talents to relocate
in hopes of finding a better audience and more opportunities for their arts
and crafts.
Foreign influence is also widespread, with the standard American licenses
such as Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, Starbucks, and fast food providers
such as MacDonalds, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken available throughout
the city. Many of American-themed restaurants were also established
domestically.
Transportation
There are railways throughout Jakarta; however, they are inadequate in
providing transportation for the citizens of Jakarta. In peak hours, the
number of passengers simply overloads the capacity provided. The railroad
tracks connect Jakarta to its neighboring cities: Depok and Bogor to the
south, Tangerang and Serpong to the west, and Bekasi, Karawang, and Cikampek
to the east. The major rail stations are Gambir, Jatinegara, Manggarai, and
Jakarta Kota.
Buses and transport cars (local language: Angkot, angkutan kota) are also
popular. Like trains, they also become overloaded during peak hours. In
2003, the government formed Busway; it serves the route from Jakarta Kota
all the way to Blok M. Normally, it takes more than one hour from Jakarta
Kota to Blok M during peak hours. Taking the busway, it now takes less than
half an hour. The second phase of the busway will be constructed in 2005,
serving the route from Pulogadung to Kalideres.
To reduce traffic jams, some major roads in Jakarta have the three in one
rule. It is forbidden for any four wheeled vehicles carrying less than three
passengers to enter any designated road during work hours. The roads that
have the three in one rule include: Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Jalan Gajah Mada,
Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Jalan Sudirman, Jalan
Sisingamangaraja, Jalan Gatot Subroto. The three in one times are: 07:00 -
10:00 and 16:00 - 19:00 (Local time).
Jakarta's transportation also depends on tollroads. The major tollroad is
the inner ring road from Tanjungpriok-Cawang-Grogol-Tanjungpriuk. The outer
ring road is now being constructed and is partly operational from
Cilincing-Cakung-Pasar Rebo-Pondok Pinang-Daan Mogot-Cengkareng. The
tollroads also connect Jakarta to the International airport of
Soekarno-Hatta to the northwest, to the port of Merak and Tangerang to the
west, to Serpong to the southwest, to Depok and Bogor to the south, and to
Bekasi, Cibitung and Karawang, Purwakarta and eventually to Bandung to the
east.
Two monorail tracks are being constructed: the green track serving
Semanggi-Casablanca-Kuningan-Semanggi and the blue track serving Kampung
Melayu-Casablanca-Tanah Abang-Roxy.
The government is also considering waterbus (bahasa Indonesia: 'bus air') as
a cheaper type of transportation along the canals in Jakarta.
Education
Jakarta is the home of several universities:
Universitas Indonesia, although a big part of it is now relocated to Depok
Universitas Trisakti
Universitas Tarumanagara
Universitas Bina Nusantara
Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana
Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya
Universitas Jayabaya
Universitas Gunadarma
Universitas Pembangunan Nasional
Recreational Places
Monas
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Ragunan zoo
Taman Ismail Marzuki
Kepulauan Seribu
Shopping centers
Being the home of many of the country's political and economic elite,
Jakarta boasts many shopping amenities, such as mega malls and chic
boutiques. Recent development of satellite cities in the surrounding areas,
usually built around their own mega malls, parks, entertainment centers, and
in some instances schools, has significantly expanded what is considered to
be the practical border of Jakarta.
Some of the shopping malls include:
Mal Taman Anggrek
Plaza Indonesia
Mal Ciputra
Mal Puri Indah
Pondok Indah Mall
Cilandak Town Square
Pasaraya
Plaza Senayan
Kelapa Gading
Sports
Jakarta is the home of popular soccer team Persija Jakarta, which regularly
plays its matches in the stadium of Lebak Bulus. The biggest stadium is
Gelora Bung Karno. With a capacity of more than 100,000 seats, it is one of
the biggest stadiums in the world.
The Senayan sports complex is comprised of several sport venues, which
include: Gelora Bung Karno soccer stadium, Stadion Madya athletic stadium,
Istora senayan, a shooting range, a tennis court, a golf driving range and
several others.
|
|
