Jakarta

Jakarta, officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is the de facto capital and largest city of Indonesia. It lies on the northwestern coast of Java, bordering West Java and Banten, and faces the Java Sea. Jakarta is the country's political, economic, and cultural centre, containing many national institutions, corporate headquarters, and the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The area now known as Jakarta has been inhabited since early centuries and was once called Sunda Kelapa, the port of the Sunda Kingdom. In 1527, it was renamed Jayakarta. The Dutch East India Company seized it in 1619 and rebuilt it as Batavia, which became the centre of Dutch colonial rule for over three centuries. After Japan's occupation during World War II and Indonesia's declaration of independence in 1945, the city was named Jakarta and became the capital of the new republic.

Today, Jakarta is classified as an alpha world city and is Indonesia's main financial and commercial centre. It houses major corporations, financial institutions, and the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The city is highly diverse, with communities of Javanese, Betawi, Sundanese, Chinese Indonesians, and migrants from across Indonesia. Despite its importance, Jakarta faces challenges like traffic congestion, air pollution, flooding, and land subsidence, leading to plans to relocate the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Etymology

The area now called Jakarta has had many names throughout history. Early writings from the 5th century mention it, and later it was known as Sunda Kelapa. In the 16th century, the name Jayakarta appeared, meaning "complete victory" in Sanskrit.

Later, in 1619, the Dutch renamed the city Batavia. This name was used for over 300 years during Dutch rule. During World War II, the Japanese called it Jakaruta Tokubetsu-shi, and after Indonesia gained independence, it became known as Jakarta.

History

Main article: History of Jakarta

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Jakarta.

Early settlements and Sunda Kelapa

Further information: Sunda Kelapa

The area that is now Jakarta has been home to people for a very long time. Ancient findings show that people lived there long ago, around the time between 400 BC and 100 AD. By the 5th century, it became part of an early kingdom called Tarumanagara. An old stone writing from that time talks about work done by a king to help manage water in the area.

Later, the place became part of the Kingdom of Sunda. During the time between the early middle ages and the 13th century, ports in this area were important for trade with other places far away. By the 16th century, Sunda Kelapa was the main port for the Sunda Kingdom and was part of big trade routes.

Batavia under Dutch rule

See also: Batavia, Dutch East Indies

Dutch people came to control the city in the year 1619. They built a strong city and called it Batavia. Even though the city had problems with water and health, it became an important place for trade. People from many parts of Asia moved there to work and trade. As the city grew, so did problems between different groups of people.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the city grew southwards. New neighborhoods were built to give people better places to live. When the Dutch left in 1942, the Japanese took over and changed the city's name back to Jakarta.

Jakarta in independent Indonesia

After World War II, Indonesia declared its independence in 1945, and Jakarta became its capital again in 1950. During a leader's time in office, the city was changed to show Indonesia as a modern country. Big projects were built to prepare for an important sports event in 1962.

In 1964, Jakarta became a special area with powers like a province. The city kept growing fast, even though it faced some hard times like a big money problem in 1997. Jakarta stays very important for Indonesia, even though there are plans to move the capital to another place called Nusantara.

Geography

Main article: Greater Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia. It covers an area of 662 square kilometres (256 square miles), which makes it the smallest province in Indonesia by land area. The city is part of a much larger area called a metropolitan area, which covers about 6,392 square kilometres (2,468 square miles). This area includes several nearby places such as Bekasi, Tangerang, Bogor, Depok, and South Tangerang.

Jakarta is located on the northwestern coast of Java Island. It sits near the mouth of the Ciliwung River and along Jakarta Bay, which is part of the Java Sea. The northern part of Jakarta is low and close to sea level, while the southern part is higher. The city also includes a group of islands called the Thousand Islands, which lie north of the mainland in Jakarta Bay.

Jakarta has many rivers that flow from the Puncak highlands in the south towards the Java Sea. These rivers, along with the city's low-lying land, can cause flooding. The city faces challenges such as land sinking and managing water. To help protect against flooding, there are sea wall systems in Jakarta Bay. Air and water pollution are also important environmental issues in the city.

Climate

Jakarta has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it has a long wet season from October to May and a drier season from June to September, though rain can happen any time of the year. The heaviest rain usually falls between December and March.

The weather in Jakarta stays warm all year. Temperatures usually range from about 25 °C to 32 °C. The city often faces flooding during the wet season because of heavy rains, low land, and limited drainage.

Cityscape

Jakarta's cityscape is full of different styles and buildings that show how the city has grown over time. You can see old buildings from when the country was just starting, big modern towers, and many parks and squares. One of the most famous sights is the National Monument (called Monas), a tall tower in the middle of Merdeka Square. Other important places include the Istiqlal mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and old buildings in Jakarta Old Town.

The city's sky is getting higher with new tall buildings, like the Autograph Tower, the tallest in Indonesia. But there are also many green spaces where people can relax, such as parks and squares. Even though there isn’t as much green space as needed, the city is working to create more friendly places for everyone, including children. Big parks like Ragunan Zoo and smaller ones like Suropati give people places to enjoy the outdoors.

See also: Colonial architecture in Jakarta and List of tallest buildings in Jakarta

Jakarta has many special buildings that show different history and culture. Traditional homes called Betawi houses mix styles from many places, like Malay, Arab, Chinese, and Dutch. These houses have special roofs and open spaces that stay cool in the warm weather.

Many old buildings in Jakarta come from when it was a place for Dutch rulers. These buildings include homes, churches, and offices, and many are still standing in Jakarta Old Town.

After Indonesia became independent, new buildings were made to show the country’s pride. Big projects like the National Monument and roads changed the way the city looked. Today, Jakarta has many tall skyscrapers, especially in the busy Golden Triangle area.

Parks and green spaces are important but still not enough in Jakarta. Since 2015, the city has been adding places where children and families can play and spend time together. There are now over 300 of these special public spaces.

One of the biggest open areas is Merdeka Square, a large field around the National Monument. Another important square is Buffalo Square, close to the Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral.

Jakarta has many parks all over the city, like Suropati and Menteng Park. There are also bigger places to visit, such as Ragunan Zoo in the south and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, a cultural area for fun and learning.

Demographics

Jakarta's population has grown a lot because many people move there for jobs, education, and business. In 1961, only about half of the people living in Jakarta were born there, showing that many came from other places in Indonesia.

In 2025, Jakarta had about 11 million people, but the bigger area around it had almost 42 million. This growth happened mostly because people moved to the city and its suburbs. The number of people in Jakarta went from about 6.7 million in 1980 to 10 million in 2018. By early 2026, there were about 16,129 people living in each square kilometre.

Jakarta has people from many different backgrounds. The largest group is Javanese, but there are also Betawi, Sundanese, Chinese, Batak, and many others. The Betawi people are considered the original residents of Jakarta, coming from many different groups over time.

Indonesian is the main language spoken in Jakarta, used in schools, government, and daily life. English is also used in some areas, especially in the south. The Betawi language, a mix of many languages, is still spoken by some people. Many families also use their own heritage languages at home.

Jakarta has many schools and universities. The University of Indonesia is one of the biggest public universities. There are also many private universities. For younger students, there are public and private schools, including some international schools.

Religion is important in Jakarta. Most people are Muslim, but there are also Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and others. Different religious groups live together in the city, making it a place of many beliefs. Islamic schools and groups are common, and there are also Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu communities.

Economy

Jakarta plays a big role in Indonesia's economy. It is the country's capital and largest city, helping to manage money, trade, and many important jobs. Most of the city's work is in services like shopping, banking, and business. There is also some work in making things and other industries, but services are the most important.

Jakarta is home to big companies and banks. It also has many shops, from huge malls to smaller markets, where people buy many different things. Even though it is not known mostly for fun tourist spots, many people visit Jakarta for business, shopping, or just passing through on their way to other places in Indonesia.

Culture

Jakarta, as Indonesia's capital and largest city, is a key place for cultural mixing and variety. People from all over Indonesia live there, bringing their own traditions, languages, and customs. The Betawi people are considered the original community of Jakarta, but the city's culture has grown through many people moving there and mixing together.

Jakarta's arts and festivals are deeply connected to Betawi culture, which has developed over centuries from many influences, including Malay, Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, Arab, Indian, and European. This mix is seen in Betawi traditions, language, music, food, and ceremonies. Festivals like Lebaran Betawi show traditional dances, music, and food. Places like Condet in East Jakarta are centers for Betawi heritage.

The city has many places for arts and cultural events, such as Taman Ismail Marzuki and Aula Simfonia Jakarta. Jakarta also hosts big events like Jakarta Fashion Week and the Java Jazz Festival. International centers like the Japan Foundation and Erasmus Huis also add to the city's cultural life.

Jakarta's food comes from its history as a trading port where many different groups met. Betawi cuisine includes dishes like soto betawi, ketoprak, rujak juhi, and gado-gado. Street food and small eateries are common, and you can find foods from all over Indonesia, as well as Chinese food in areas like Glodok. The city has everything from street vendors to fancy restaurants.

Jakarta is important for sports in Indonesia. It has hosted big events like the 1962 Asian Games and the 2018 Asian Games. The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex and Jakarta International Stadium are major venues. The city also has sports events like Jakarta Car-Free Day and the Jakarta Marathon.

Jakarta is the center of Indonesia's media and entertainment. It has many big broadcasting networks, publishing groups, and digital media companies. The city has a long history with media, from early newspapers in the 1800s to radio and television starting in the 1920s and 1960s. Today, Jakarta remains the main place for media in Indonesia, with most national newspapers, TV networks, radio stations, and digital outlets based there. The city is also a hub for film, publishing, and cultural events.

Government and politics

Main article: Governor of Jakarta

Jakarta, as Indonesia's capital, has a special way of governing that matches its important role. It works like a province but also handles many national tasks. The leader of Jakarta is called a governor, who is chosen by the people, along with a vice governor. They work with a group of elected members called the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council to make decisions for the city.

Jakarta is split into five smaller parts, each led by a mayor or a regent, who are chosen by the governor. These areas include Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and North Jakarta, along with the Thousand Islands. Each of these smaller parts is also split into districts to help manage daily tasks. Central Jakarta is where important buildings like the National Monument and major mosques are located.

Infrastructure

Jakarta's infrastructure must handle the needs of a big, growing city close to the coast. This means dealing with lots of people moving around, getting sick, and needing clean water, all while facing challenges like flooding and sinking land.

Transport in Jakarta includes roads, buses, trains, and airports. The city has many roads but also tries to improve public transport like buses and trains. There are big transportation hubs such as Soekarno–Hatta International Airport and the port of Tanjung Priok.

Healthcare in Jakarta includes both public and private hospitals. The city works to make sure most people can get medical care. However, because so many people live there, hospitals can get very busy.

The water system in Jakarta has changed over time. Many people get water through pipes, but not everyone has access. Some people get water from wells, which can bring problems like dirty water and sinking land.

Main article: Transport in Jakarta

Further information: Water privatisation in Jakarta

International relations

See also: List of diplomatic missions in Jakarta

Jakarta, as Indonesia's capital, plays a key role in Southeast Asia's diplomacy. It hosts many foreign embassies, the ASEAN Headquarters, and other important groups. This makes Jakarta a common place for meetings about the region, business, and ASEAN activities.

Jakarta also works with other cities around the world on topics like climate change, city planning, and helping cities work together. It joined groups such as the C40 Cities network in 2006 and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. Jakarta also worked with the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 until 2014.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Indonesia

Jakarta has friendly agreements with many cities worldwide, including Casablanca in 1990. A main street in Jakarta is named after Casablanca, and Rabat has a street named after Sukarno, Indonesia's first president.

Jakarta's sister cities are:

• Bangkok, Thailand
• Beijing, China
• Berlin, Germany
• Casablanca, Morocco
• East Jerusalem, Palestine
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Islamabad, Pakistan
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Kyiv, Ukraine
• Los Angeles, United States
• Maputo, Mozambique
• Mumbai, India
• Moscow, Russia
• Pyongyang, North Korea
• Seoul, South Korea
• Shanghai, China
• Tokyo, Japan

Jakarta also works closely with Rotterdam on managing water and floods in cities that are low-lying.

In addition to its sister cities, Jakarta cooperates with:

• Arkansas, United States
• Budapest, Hungary
• New South Wales, Australia
• New York, United States
• Osaka, Japan
• Paris, France
• Rotterdam, Netherlands

Notable people

Main category: People from Jakarta

Jakarta has been home to many famous people throughout history. These individuals have come from all walks of life and have made their marks in various fields. The city continues to be a place where many important and influential people live and work.