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JAKARTA
Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, is a
special territory with the status of a province. Greater Jakarta
covers an area of 592 square km. Located on the northern coast
of West Java it is the center of government, commerce and industry
and as such, has an extensive communications network with the
rest of the country and the outside world.
As Indonesia's main gateway, Soekarno Hatta International Airport
serves a growing number of international airlines and between
Bali and Jakarta there are several flights daily.
Jakarta is a capital city of contrasts - the traditional and
modern, the rich and the poor, the sacred and the worldly, stand
side by side in this thriving metropolis. Even its population,
gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural groups that
make up Indonesia, are constantly exposed as an ever present
reminder of the national motto, Unity in Diversity.
Finding its origin in the early 16th century harbour town of
Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's founding is regarded to have taken place
on June 21, 1527, when it was re-named Jayakarta-meaning Glorious
Victory by the conquering Prince Fatahillah from neighbouring
Cirebon.
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The Dutch East India Company, which took the town and destroyed
it in 1619, changed it name to Batavia and made it the center
for the expansion of their power in the East Indies shortly
after the outbreak of World War II, Batavia fell to invading
imperial Japanese forces in a gesture aimed at winning the sympathy
of the Indonesians. The name was retained after Indonesia achieved
national independence after the war's end.
Jakarta's architecture reflects to a large extent, the influx
of outside influences, which came and found a home in this vital
seaport. The Taman Fatahillah Restoration Project, begun in
the early 1970's, has restored one of the oldest sections of
Jakarta, also known as Old Batavia - to approximately its former
look. The Old Portuguese Church and warehouses have been restored
into a museum. The old Supreme Court building is now a museum
of fine art, which also houses a Chinese porcelain collection.
The old Town Hall has become the Jakarta Museum and displays
such items as Indonesia's old historical documents and Dutch
period furniture. Its tower clock was returned to England to
be repaired under its lifetime guarantee a lifetime which up
to now has already well exceeded one hundred years.
One of the most interesting tourist attractions is the "Beautiful
Indonesia Miniature" cultural park popularly called 'Taman Mini".
Built to portray the variety of culture found in the many islands
contained in the Republic of Indonesia, this open air museum
comprises of the many architectural forms, art and traditions
of all 27 provinces. It is proof of the country's motto of Unity
in Diversity and freedom of Religion depicted in the houses
of worship built on the grounds.
Jakarta has preserved its past and is developing for the future.
Skyscrapers in the center of the city are part of new look.
Modern luxury hotels today cater to the discerning visitors
and public transport within the city is plentiful. |
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