Jakarta

Introduction

De facto capital and largest city in Indonesia For other uses, see Jakarta (disambiguation). Special capital region in Java, IndonesiaJakartaSpecial capital regionSpecial Capital Region of JakartaDaerah Khusus Ibukota JakartaGolden Triangle of JakartaBundaran HIJakarta Old TownNational MuseumMaritime MuseumMerdeka PalaceNational Monument Coat of armsWordmarkNickname: The Big DurianMotto(s): Jaya Raya (Sanskrit)"Victorious and Great"Interactive map of JakartaJakartaLocation In IndonesiaShow map of IndonesiaJakartaLocation in AsiaShow map of AsiaCoordinates: 6°11′S 106°50′E / 6.18°S 106.83°E / -6.18; 106.83Country IndonesiaRegionJavaMetropolitan areaJabodetabekAdministrative section List Central JakartaNorth JakartaSouth JakartaWest JakartaEast JakartaThousand Islands First settled400 BC (Buni pottery culture)First mentioned358 AD (Tugu inscription)Foundation22 June 1527; 498 years ago (1527-06-22)Establishment30 May 1619; 407 years ago (1619-05-30)City status4 March 1621; 405 years ago (1621-03-04)Province status28 August 1961; 64 years ago (1961-08-28)CapitalCentral Jakarta (de facto)Government • TypeSpecial administrative region • BodySpecial Region of Jakarta Provincial Government • GovernorPramono Anung (PDI-P) • Vice GovernorRano Karno • LegislatureJakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD)Area • Special capital region662 km2 (256 sq mi) • Metro6,977 km2 (2,694 sq mi) • Rank38th in IndonesiaElevation8 m (26 ft)Population (mid 2025) • Special capital region11,010,514 • Rank6th province in Indonesia1st city in Indonesia • Density16,600/km2 (43,100/sq mi) • Metro41,914,000 • Metro density6,007/km2 (15,560/sq mi)DemonymJakartanGDP (Nominal, 2023) • Special regionRp 3,442.98 trillionUS$ 225.88 billionInt$ 724.01 billion (PPP) • Per capitaRp 322.62 millionUS$ 21,166Int$ 67,842 (PPP) • MetroRp 6,404.70 trillionUS$ 420.192 billionInt$ 1.346 trillion (PPP)Time zoneUTC+07:00 (WIB)Postal codes10110–1454019110–19130Area code+62 21ISO 3166 codeID-JKVehicle registrationBHDI (2024) 0.850 (1st) – very highWebsitewww.jakarta.go.id Jakarta, officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is the de facto capital and largest city of Indonesia, with administrative status equivalent to a province. It lies on the northwestern coast of Java, borders the provinces of West Java and Banten, and faces the Java Sea to the north. Jakarta itself covers about 662 square kilometres (256 square miles), but the wider Jakarta metropolitan area—locally known as Jabodetabek—is among the largest urban agglomerations in the world by area. By population, Greater Jakarta is the most populous urban area in the world with a population of over 40 million. Jakarta is Indonesia's political, economic, and cultural centre and contains many national institutions, corporate headquarters, and the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The area that now forms Jakarta has been inhabited since at least the early centuries of the Common Era and was long associated with Sunda Kelapa, the port of the Sunda Kingdom. In 1527, the settlement was renamed Jayakarta after being captured by forces of the Demak Sultanate. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) seized the city in 1619 and rebuilt it as Batavia, which served as the centre of VOC power and subsequently of Dutch colonial rule in the Indonesian archipelago for more than three centuries. After the Japanese occupation during the Second World War and Indonesia's declaration of independence in 1945, the city took the name Jakarta and became the capital of the new republic. Classified as an alpha world city, Jakarta is Indonesia's main financial and commercial centre and a leading node in the country's economy and regional trade. Its economy is concentrated in finance, trade, business services, media, and international diplomacy. Rapid urbanisation since the mid-20th century has turned the city into a vast metropolitan region, drawing migrants from across the Indonesian archipelago and making it the country's most populous city and one of the region's largest urban economies. Jakarta is highly diverse and has no single dominant ethnic group. Its population includes large communities of Javanese, Betawi, Sundanese, Chinese Indonesians, and migrants from many other parts of Indonesia. Indonesian is the official language and the main language of public life, while Betawi culture grew out of the mixing of local, Chinese, Indian, Arab, and European influences during the colonial period. Jakarta has persistent urban problems, including traffic congestion, air pollution, flooding, and land subsidence, which helped prompt the national government’s decision to relocate Indonesia's future capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Etymology

[edit] The area now known as Jakarta has had several names. During the period of the Sunda Kingdom, its harbour was known as Kalapa or Sunda Kalapa, one of the kingdom's principal ports on the north coast of western Java. Early Portuguese accounts referred to the harbour as Calapa. The name Jayakarta is traditionally traced to the conquest of Kalapa by forces under Fatahillah of the Demak Sultanate in 1527, although the reported renaming is not confirmed by surviving historical records. The name has been glossed as "victory" or "victorious deed"; early European sources recorded related forms including Iacarta, Xacatra, and Jacatra. After taking control of Jayakarta in 1619, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) rebuilt the settlement as Batavia, a name referring to the Batavi, whom the Dutch regarded as their ancestors. Batavia remained in use during the Dutch colonial period until 1942, when the Japanese occupation authorities renamed the city Japanese: ジャカルタ特別市, romanized: Jakaruta Tokubetsu-shi, lit. 'Jakarta Special Municipality'. After Indonesian independence, Jakarta became the city's formal name.

History

[edit] Main article: History of Jakarta For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Jakarta. Early settlements and Sunda Kelapa[edit] Further information: Sunda Kelapa Luso-Sundanese padrão, a monument commemorating a treaty between the Portuguese Empire and the Sunda Kingdom Archaeological evidence from the wider north coast of western Java predates the written record of the Jakarta area. The Buni culture, a prehistoric pottery tradition in coastal northern and western Java, is generally dated from about 400 BC to 100 AD and may have survived until the 5th century. Written evidence from the Jakarta area appears in the mid-5th-century Tugu inscription, found in present-day North Jakarta. The inscription records river works ordered by King Purnawarman of Tarumanagara and mentions the Candrabhaga and Gomati rivers, although several details of the works and their setting remain uncertain. After Tarumanagara, western Java came under the Sunda Kingdom. The Chinese work Chu-fan-chi referred to Sin-t'o, identified as western Java, and noted its harbour and pepper. By the early 16th century, Sunda Kelapa was the main commercial port of the Sunda Kingdom. The Suma Oriental described Calapa as the most important of Sunda's ports, with trade arriving from Sumatra, Java, and other places. Portuguese interest in Java followed the conquest of Malacca. In 1513, Portuguese authorities in Malacca sent a fleet to Java to obtain spices. Their involvement at Sunda Kelapa became more direct in 1522, when the Sunda Kingdom concluded an agreement with Portugal. The treaty allowed the Portuguese to build a fortress at Kalapa and gave Sunda support against Islamic powers expanding along Java’s north coast. In 1527, Demak-backed forces under Fatahillah captured Sunda Kelapa. The port thereafter became known as Jayakarta and later came under the Banten Sultanate, which developed into a major coastal power in western Java. Batavia under Dutch rule[edit] See also: Batavia, Dutch East Indies The Nieuwe Poort in Batavia, 1682 By the early 17th century, Jayakarta was ruled by Prince Jayawikarta under the wider authority of the Banten Sultanate, while the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the English competed for influence there. Amid this conflict, Dutch forces under Jan Pieterszoon Coen returned with reinforcements in May 1619, overran Jayakarta, and destroyed the city. The VOC then rebuilt the settlement as a fortified city named Batavia, which became the company's headquarters in Asia. Batavia was laid out as a walled canal city on low-lying coastal land at the mouth of the Ciliwung river. Its canals served transport, drainage, and water-management functions, but poor flow, sedimentation, and coastal silting made flooding and sanitation recurring problems. By the 18th century, the old town had gained a reputation for disease and decay. Even so, Batavia remained an important commercial and administrative centre. Chinese residents played a large role in its commerce, agriculture, crafts, and construction, and lived both inside and outside the walled city. In 1740, conflict between VOC authorities and Batavia's Chinese community culminated in a massacre. Survivors were barred from living inside the city walls, and in 1741, the VOC designated a Chinese settlement at Diestpoort, south of Batavia, in the area later known as Glodok. In the 19th century, health concerns and the decline of the old town helped shift Batavia's urban development southward. Weltevreden, today's Central Jakarta, became an inland district of government buildings, spacious houses, and gardens, while the lower old town retained commercial functions, including the Chinese quarter. Later expansion included Menteng and the incorporation of Meester Cornelis. Dutch colonial rule ended in March 1942, when Japanese forces captured Batavia during the Second World War and renamed the city Jakarta. Jakarta in independent Indonesia[edit] Sukarno reading the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence at Jalan Pegangsaan Timur No. 56, Menteng Indonesia's independence was proclaimed in Jakarta on 17 August 1945. During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city's local government was contested between Indonesian republican authority and returning Allied and Dutch power. Republican leaders moved the temporary capital to Yogyakarta in early 1946 after British troops entered Jakarta. The Netherlands transferred sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia in 1949, whose constitution placed the federal government in the capital, Jakarta. In 1950, the federal state was replaced by the unitary Republic of Indonesia under the Provisional Constitution, which placed the national government in Jakarta. Under Sukarno, Jakarta became a setting for state-sponsored architecture and urban projects. The 1962 Asian Games and Sukarno’s nation-building programme were accompanied by the construction of major landmarks and corridors, including the National Monument, Hotel Indonesia, Sarinah, the Senayan sports complex, and the Thamrin–Sudirman axis. In 1964, Jakarta was legally designated a Special Capital Region (Daerah Khusus Ibukota, DKI) with administrative status equivalent to a province. The political crisis of 1965–66 brought Sukarno's presidency to an end and marked the rise of General Suharto's New Order. During the governorship of Ali Sadikin (1966–77), Jakarta pursued urban modernisation while also expanding the kampung improvement program, which upgraded basic infrastructure and services in many dense settlements. These policies treated kampungs as part of the city, but later approaches increasingly shifted from in-situ upgrading toward redevelopment and resettlement. Later New Order policies encouraged investment, high-rise construction, and large-scale private development, especially along major corridors and in the expanding metropolitan region. The Asian financial crisis in 1997–98 disrupted this growth and contributed to political unrest, including the riots of May 1998 that caused Suharto's resignation. In the Reformasi era, decentralisation and electoral reforms changed Jakarta's governance, including the introduction of direct gubernatorial elections in 2007. The Indonesian government has since begun the legal process of relocating the national capital to Nusantara. Under a 2022 law, Jakarta remains the national capital until a presidential decree formalises the transfer. A 2024 law gives Jakarta a new special regional framework after the capital is moved, with an emphasis on its role as an economic centre and global city.

Geography

[edit] Main article: Greater Jakarta Ancol beach in Jakarta Bay Jakarta covers about 662 square kilometres (256 sq mi) of land and 6,977 square kilometres (2,694 sq mi) of sea area. Its urban area extends beyond the provincial boundary into the Jakarta metropolitan area, or Jabodetabek, which includes neighbouring cities and regencies in West Java and Banten. Daily commuting links Jakarta with surrounding municipalities, especially Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. The city lies on the northwestern coast of Java at the mouth of the Ciliwung River, facing Jakarta Bay, an inlet of the Java Sea. Administratively, Jakarta includes five mainland municipalities and the Thousand Islands regency to the north of the mainland city. Except for some hilly areas in the south, Jakarta spreads across low, flat terrain. Much of the city lies on an alluvial plain crossed by rivers and canals, with extended areas ranging from below sea level to about 50 metres (160 feet) above sea level. Jakarta developed on low coastal land crossed by rivers and canals. Thirteen rivers flow through the city from the south toward Jakarta Bay, including the Ciliwung, Angke, Sunter, and Grogol rivers. Historically, the area included extensive swamps, and seasonal flooding remains a recurrent problem. Flooding results from a combination of heavy rainfall, upstream runoff, high tides, land subsidence, sedimentation, waste, and limited drainage capacity. Flood-control policy has long relied on engineered works, including canals, river improvements, drainage infrastructure, pumps, and coastal-protection schemes. Land subsidence has increased coastal-flood risk, especially along the northern coast. Groundwater extraction and urban development are among the causes of land subsidence, which contributes to coastal-flood risk. Jakarta also has serious air- and water-quality problems, including polluted river water and health burdens from air pollution. Climate[edit] Drizzle in Jakarta Jakarta has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am), with warm conditions throughout the year and a marked wet–dry rainfall pattern. The wet season generally lasts from October to May, while June to September is relatively drier, although rain occurs in every month. The heaviest rainfall usually falls between December and March, when average monthly totals exceed 150 millimetres, while July and August are normally the driest months. The wet season is also the period of greatest flood risk. Heavy rainfall can combine with runoff from upstream areas, high tides, limited drainage capacity, land subsidence and dense urban development to produce riverine and coastal flooding. Temperatures in Jakarta remain consistently warm throughout the year. Mean daily maximum temperatures are generally around 30 °C (86.0 °F) to 32 °C (89.6 °F), while mean daily minimum temperatures are around 24 °C (75.2 °F) to 25 °C (77.0 °F). Average monthly temperatures vary only slightly, at roughly 27 °C (80.6 °F), and recorded extremes range from about 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) to 37.9 °C (100.2 °F). Climate data for downtown Jakarta (Kemayoran) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1924–present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 36.9(98.4) 35.8(96.4) 36.0(96.8) 35.9(96.6) 36.1(97.0) 36.3(97.3) 35.6(96.1) 35.6(96.1) 37.1(98.8) 37.9(100.2) 37.1(98.8) 36.7(98.1) 37.9(100.2) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.0(87.8) 30.8(87.4) 32.1(89.8) 32.8(91.0) 33.2(91.8) 32.9(91.2) 32.7(90.9) 33.0(91.4) 33.4(92.1) 33.4(92.1) 32.8(91.0) 32.0(89.6) 32.5(90.5) Daily mean °C (°F) 27.5(81.5) 27.3(81.1) 28.0(82.4) 28.4(83.1) 28.7(83.7) 28.4(83.1) 28.2(82.8) 28.3(82.9) 28.6(83.5) 28.8(83.8) 28.4(83.1) 28.0(82.4) 28.2(82.8) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 25.2(77.4) 25.2(77.4) 25.5(77.9) 25.6(78.1) 25.8(78.4) 25.5(77.9) 25.3(77.5) 25.3(77.5) 25.5(77.9) 25.6(78.1) 25.6(78.1) 25.5(77.9) 25.5(77.9) Record low °C (°F) 20.6(69.1) 20.6(69.1) 20.6(69.1) 20.6(69.1) 21.1(70.0) 19.4(66.9) 19.4(66.9) 19.4(66.9) 18.9(66.0) 20.6(69.1) 20.0(68.0) 19.4(66.9) 18.9(66.0) Average precipitation mm (inches) 373.3(14.70) 381.4(15.02) 210.4(8.28) 164.1(6.46) 103.2(4.06) 80.4(3.17) 77.7(3.06) 51.5(2.03) 61.0(2.40) 112.2(4.42) 134.8(5.31) 183.3(7.22) 1,933.3(76.11) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17.5 17.9 14.1 11.5 8.2 6.2 4.8 3.3 4.0 7.4 10.4 12.8 118.1 Average relative humidity (%) 85 85 83 82 82 81 78 76 75 77 81 82 81 Mean monthly sunshine hours 139.5 138.3 189.1 216.0 220.1 219.0 229.4 235.6 225.0 207.7 180.0 148.8 2,348.5 Mean daily sunshine hours 4.5 5.2 6.1 7.2 7.1 7.3 7.4 7.6 7.5 6.7 6.0 4.8 6.5 Source 1: World Meteorological Organization Source 2: Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial, Danish Meteorological Institute (humidity), Deutscher Wetterdienst (daily sun 1889–1921) Climate data for Jakarta Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average sea temperature °C (°F) 28.0(82.0) 28.0(82.0) 29.0(84.0) 30.0(86.0) 30.0(86.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) 29.0(84.0) Mean daily daylight hours 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 Average Ultraviolet index 13 13 13 13 11 10 10 12 13 13 13 13 12 Source: Weather Atlas

Cityscape

[edit] Panorama of Jakarta as seen from the Monas in a full 360-degree view (river flowing from south-west to north-east, left to right) Jakarta's cityscape includes the colonial core of Jakarta Old Town, post-independence monumental spaces, high-rise commercial districts, and major public and recreational areas. In Central Jakarta, the National Monument (Monas) stands at the centre of Merdeka Square; it was part of the mid-20th-century programme through which Sukarno promoted Jakarta as the capital of a newly independent state. Since the late 20th century, tall buildings have become prominent in Jakarta’s skyline, especially in the Golden Triangle and other central business districts. The city also contains large public and recreational spaces, including Merdeka Square, Ancol Dreamland, Ragunan Zoo, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. Architecture[edit] See also: Colonial architecture in Jakarta and List of tallest buildings in Jakarta Rumah Kebaya built with Betawi architecture at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Jakarta's architecture ranges from Betawi vernacular houses to colonial buildings, post-independence monuments, and high-rise commercial districts. Betawi houses, the vernacular houses of the city’s indigenous Betawi community, draw on Malay, Arab, Chinese, and Dutch influences. Their wide eaves, large openings, and open layouts are also suited to the tropical climate. Many of Jakarta's historic buildings date from colonial Batavia. Colonial architecture in the city includes VOC-era structures in Jakarta Old Town, 19th-century buildings from Batavia’s southward expansion to Weltevreden in present-day Central Jakarta, and late-colonial buildings from the early 20th century. These buildings include former government offices, churches, residences, and commercial structures, especially in the old colonial core and around Weltevreden. In the early 20th century, new planned neighbourhoods and late-colonial houses were designed for urban living in the tropics. The Menteng district, developed in the 1910s, was planned as a middle-class residential area. Its original houses used features such as overhanging eaves, large windows, and open ventilation, with modern and Art Deco elements. After independence, many of Jakarta’s prominent public buildings were built as state projects. Under Sukarno, major works included the National Monument, the Senayan sports complex, and new ceremonial roads. The present national legislative complex originated in the mid-1960s CONEFO project; its Nusantara Building is noted for a two-part domed roof. Since the late 20th century, tall buildings have become prominent in Jakarta’s skyline, particularly in the Golden Triangle and other central business districts. Parks and public spaces[edit] Ragunan Zoo, one of Jakarta's major green and recreational areas Public parks and green open spaces occupy a limited share of Jakarta’s land area. Provincial government data for 2023 indicate that green open space (ruang terbuka hijau, RTH) covered about 5.18% of the city's total area, below the 30% minimum required by national spatial-planning law. Since 2015, the city has also developed child-friendly integrated public spaces (ruang publik terpadu ramah anak, RPTRA), neighbourhood facilities intended for play, social activity, and community use. Among Jakarta's most prominent open spaces is Merdeka Square (Medan Merdeka) in Central Jakarta, which surrounds the National Monument (Monas). The square developed from the colonial Koningsplein in Weltevreden and remains one of the city's main civic spaces. Nearby Lapangan Banteng includes the West Irian Liberation Monument and has been redeveloped as a public square near Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral. Other parks and recreation areas are spread across the city. Suropati Park and Menteng Park serve central districts, while Kalijodo Park is a more recent public-space development. Larger recreational sites include Ancol Dreamland, Ragunan Zoo, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, the last of which was developed as a cultural park tied to national representation.

Demographics

[edit] Betawi people, considered an ethnic group native to Jakarta Migration has contributed heavily to Jakarta’s population growth since the early post-independence decades. People have moved to the city from across Indonesia for employment, education, and business opportunities, and Jakarta has become a destination for migrants from all regions of the country. In 1961, 51.0% of Jakarta's population had been born in the city, while 46.7% had been born in other Indonesian provinces. Historical populationYearPop.±%1945847,483—    19501,432,052+69.0%19612,973,052+107.6%19714,579,303+54.0%19806,503,449+42.0%19908,259,266+27.0%20008,389,443+1.6%20109,607,787+14.5%202010,562,088+9.9%Note: The 1945 and 1950 population totals are cited in Twang (1987) and the Trade, Industrial & Tourism Directory (1969). Later data come from Indonesian statistical sources: the 1961 and 2020 totals are from the national censuses conducted in those years, while the 1971–2010 figures are drawn from Indonesia’s official statistics agency.Source: Modern population figures vary according to the boundary used. In 2025, Jakarta had about 11 million registered residents according to the city's population and civil registration office. The United Nations, using an urban-agglomeration approach, estimated the population of Jakarta and its surrounding urban area at nearly 42 million. Growth has increasingly extended beyond Jakarta's provincial boundaries. From 1980 to 2018, the population of Jakarta rose from about 6.7 million to 10 million, while the Jakarta metropolitan area grew from roughly 11.4 million to 34 million. Much of this growth has occurred through suburban expansion into neighbouring areas of West Java and Banten. Ethnicity[edit] Jakarta is ethnically diverse and has no single majority ethnic group. According to tabulations from the 2010 Indonesian census, Javanese formed the largest ethnic group in the city, followed by Betawi, Sundanese, Chinese, and Batak; Minangkabau, Malays, Madurese, and other groups were also represented. Migration from across Indonesia accounts for much of the city’s ethnic composition, with large communities from Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Madura, and other regions. The Betawi people are generally regarded as Jakarta's indigenous community developed from the diverse populations of colonial Batavia. Early Batavia drew people from many parts of Asia and the Indonesian archipelago, including Chinese settlers, South Asian Muslims, Malays, Balinese, Buginese, Ambonese, Bandanese, and others. Interethnic contact and intermarriage contributed to the emergence of the Betawi as a distinct population, while Islam and local forms of Malay helped link communities of different origins. Betawi communities historically lived in and around the colonial city and are now distributed across the Jakarta metropolitan area. Jakarta has also long had a significant Chinese population. Chinese communities have been present since the early period of Dutch Batavia, and Jakarta's Chinatowns include Glodok, Petak Sembilan, Pasar Baru, Kelapa Gading, and Pluit. Smaller but long-established Indian communities are also present, with Pasar Baru sometimes described as Jakarta's "Little India". Internal migration has also brought sizeable communities from Sumatra and other islands. Batak, Minangkabau, Malay, Bugis, Madurese, and Palembangnese communities also appear in Jakarta’s census-based population data. Among Batak residents in Jakarta, the Toba Batak are described as the largest sub-group. Minangkabau migration to Jakarta is part of the Minangkabau practice of merantau; by the mid-20th century, Jakarta had become an increasingly important destination for migrants from West Sumatra. Language[edit] See also: Betawi language and Indonesian slang A sign encouraging development in East Jakarta written in the Betawi language Indonesian is the official language of Jakarta and is widely used in government, education, media, and public life. As the national language, Indonesian is also the common language among residents from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. The Betawi language of the Betawi community is a Malay-based variety that developed in Batavia and Jakarta through contact among different linguistic groups. It is closely related to the informal speech of Jakarta, while colloquial Jakartan Indonesian has become an influential urban variety of Indonesian. Jakarta's migrant communities also maintain a range of heritage languages in family and community settings. Batak, Minangkabau, and Sundanese remain in use in particular Jakarta communities. Among Jakartan Chinese Indonesians, everyday language use has shifted towards Indonesian, with Chinese heritage languages maintained unevenly across families and generations. Education[edit] See also: List of universities in Indonesia and List of schools in Indonesia The University of Indonesia's Faculty of Medicine in Salemba, Central Jakarta, occupies the former STOVIA medical school building, which opened in 1919 as part of Batavia’s medical precinct. Jakarta and its surrounding metropolitan area contain several major public universities. These include the University of Indonesia, the State University of Jakarta, and Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta. The city also has a large private higher-education sector, including institutions such as Trisakti University and Atma Jaya University. Modern higher education in Jakarta has roots in colonial-era medical training in Batavia. In 1851, the Dutch East Indies administration established a programme to train young Javanese men as vaccinators; the curriculum was expanded in later decades and developed into institutions such as STOVIA and the Batavia Medical School. For primary and secondary education, Jakarta has public and private schools, including bilingual and international institutions. The provincial government lists several international schools operating in the city, including the Jakarta Intercultural School and Australian Independent School. Religion[edit] Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia According to 2024 data from Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islam is the largest religion in Jakarta, followed by Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism; a small number of residents are recorded in other categories. Several national Islamic organisations have offices in Jakarta. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), founded in Jakarta in 1975, is based in Central Jakarta, while Nahdlatul Ulama's central secretariat is also located in the city. Muhammadiyah is formally based in Yogyakarta, but its central leadership operates from offices in both Yogyakarta and Jakarta. Christian communities form the second-largest religious grouping in the city. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jakarta is a metropolitan archdiocese whose ecclesiastical province includes the dioceses of Bandung and Bogor. Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian communities are smaller but remain part of Jakarta's religious profile. The city also has smaller Sikh and Baháʼí communities. Gurdwaras serve as religious and social centres for Jakarta’s Sikh community, while the Baháʼí International Community maintains a regional office in Jakarta.

Economy

[edit] The Sudirman Central Business District is a prominent business centre in Jakarta Jakarta is Indonesia's financial capital. A 2024 law frames the province's post-capital-transfer role as a national economic centre and global city, with functions in trade, services, finance, and national, regional, and global business activity. Jakarta's economic position can be traced through the port and administrative functions of Sunda Kelapa, Batavia, and colonial Jakarta, and later through its place in national and global economic networks. In 2024, Jakarta's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) at current prices reached Rp 3,679.36 trillion, and the city's economy grew by 4.90%. The same BPS release identifies wholesale and retail trade, including motor-vehicle and motorcycle repair, as the largest industry in Jakarta's economic structure, while household final consumption was the largest expenditure component. Investment is also substantial: total realised investment in Jakarta reached Rp 241.9 trillion in 2024, the second-highest total among Indonesian provinces. Services dominate Jakarta’s economy. Trade, finance, business services, information and communications, transport, hospitality, and public administration are part of the city's industries. Its labour market and business activity also extend beyond the provincial boundary into the Jakarta metropolitan area, where commuting and suburban development link the city with surrounding municipalities. Shopping[edit] See also: List of shopping malls in Jakarta Grand Indonesia shopping mall Jakarta has a large retail sector, with modern shopping centres operating alongside traditional markets. Recent market reports estimate total retail stock in Jakarta at around 4.8 million square metres, with shopping centres concentrated in major commercial areas. Major malls include Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Pacific Place, and Senayan City. Shopping malls are also used for leisure, socialising, recreation, and retail in climate-controlled settings, particularly in a city where heat, congestion, and limited public space are part of everyday urban life. Traditional markets (pasar) are a part of the city's retail life. Prominent market districts include Tanah Abang, known for textiles and garments; Pasar Baru, a historic commercial street with diverse retail uses; and Glodok, whose alleys and markets are known for Chinese Indonesian commerce. Other specialised markets include the Jalan Surabaya antique market and Jakarta Gems Centre in Rawa Bening. Tourism[edit] Main article: Jakarta Tourism and Culture Office Pulau Bidadari, part of the Thousand Islands north of Jakarta's coast Jakarta is an urban tourism destination and one of three Indonesia's major gateways, alongside Bali and Batam. In 2024, Jakarta recorded about 2.5 million foreign tourist arrivals. Domestic tourism is larger in volume; in the first quarter of 2025, domestic tourist trips to Jakarta reached about 23.2 million. Many visitors come to Jakarta for business, meetings, transit rather than mainly for leisure. Jakarta’s foreign visitors include shopping- and culture-oriented segments, while shopping centres form part of Jakarta’s urban tourism and recreational life. Tourism also contributes to Jakarta’s provincial economy.

Culture

[edit] Ondel-ondel, a large traditional puppet, is an icon of Jakarta and a symbol of Betawi culture Jakarta's culture draws from its mixed population and its long history of migration from across Indonesia. Betawi traditions are part of Jakarta's local culture, while communities from other regions have added their own languages, customs, music, and foodways to urban life. Arts and festivals[edit] Betawi arts are among Jakarta's most recognisable local cultural forms. They include music, dance, theatre, and performance traditions such as tanjidor, gambang kromong, lenong, palang pintu, and ondel-ondel. Community events such as Lebaran Betawi present Betawi culture through performances, food, and ceremonial displays. Condet in East Jakarta has also been promoted as a Betawi cultural heritage area. Jakarta also hosts traditional and contemporary performing arts. Wayang orang performances are staged at the Bharata theatre in Senen, while Aula Simfonia Jakarta is one of the city's main venues for Western classical music. The city also hosts recurring cultural events, including Jakarta Fashion Week and the Java Jazz Festival. International cultural institutions with Jakarta offices include the Japan Foundation and Erasmus Huis. Cuisine[edit] Main article: Betawi cuisine Soto Betawi, a popular variant of soto in the Jakarta area Jakarta's cuisine includes Betawi dishes and food traditions brought by communities from across Indonesia and abroad. Betawi cuisine developed in Batavia and Jakarta through trade, migration, and culinary contact with Chinese, Arab, European, and other Indonesian traditions. One of the best-known Betawi dishes is soto betawi, a beef-and-offal soup served in a spiced broth made with coconut milk or cow's milk. Street vendors and informal eateries are common in Jakarta. These include street food vendors, roadside stalls, and warteg eateries, which serve inexpensive everyday meals. Several districts are known for concentrations of food vendors and restaurants. The Sabang and Kebon Sirih area in Central Jakarta contains connected culinary centres, while Blok M is a culinary-tourism area. Chinese culinary traditions are especially visible in Glodok, where food contributes to Chinatown's destination image. Sports[edit] The Jakarta International Stadium in northern Jakarta. With a seating capacity of 82,000, it is Indonesia's biggest stadium. Jakarta has hosted major international sporting events, including the 1962 and 2018 Asian Games, which it co-hosted with Palembang. The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was also one of the venues for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex is one of Jakarta's best-known sporting complexes. It includes venues for football, athletics, aquatic sports, tennis, and indoor arena sports. Other major venues include the Jakarta International Stadium, a retractable-roof football stadium opened in 2022, and the Jakarta International Velodrome, which was used for the 2018 Asian Games. Jakarta residents also use streets and public spaces for exercise and organised events. Jakarta Car-Free Day is used for exercise and social activity along major streets, while the Jakarta Marathon has been held since 2013. The city has also hosted international motorsport, including the Jakarta ePrix, first held in 2022 at the Jakarta International e-Prix Circuit in Ancol, North Jakarta. Media and entertainment[edit] The main TV tower of TVRI at its headquarters in Jakarta See also: List of newspapers in Indonesia, List of radio stations in Jakarta, and List of television stations in Indonesia Jakarta is the main centre of Indonesia's national media industry, with broadcasting, publishing, media ownership, and content production heavily concentrated in the capital. Its media history reaches back to colonial Batavia, where Bataviase Nouvelles appeared in 1744 and circulated mainly among VOC employees and Europeans. The paper was used largely for official notices and auction advertisements, while the later establishment of the Government Printing Press (Landsdrukkerij) in 1809 marked an important stage in the development of colonial printing. Broadcasting also developed around institutions based in the capital. Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) was established in 1945, with its headquarters in Central Jakarta, and television began in Indonesia in 1962 through the Jakarta-based Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI). Private television, radio, and digital media later expanded the sector, but ownership and production remained strongly centred in Jakarta. Jakarta’s entertainment and creative activity is spread across arts venues, commercial spaces, cultural institutions, and creative hubs. These settings support film screenings, music events, exhibitions, and live performances, while the city’s creative economy also includes networks of practitioners across Jakarta.

Government and politics

[edit] Main article: Governor of Jakarta The Jakarta City Hall Jakarta is a province-level special region. Under Law No. 2 of 2024, it remains Indonesia's capital until a presidential decree transfers the capital to Nusantara; the same law designates Jakarta after the transfer as a national economic centre and global city. The provincial government is led by a directly elected governor and vice governor, while legislative authority is exercised by the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah, DPRD DKI Jakarta). Jakarta's administrative cities and its administrative regency are headed by mayors and a regent appointed by the governor, rather than by directly elected local executives. The governor's office and provincial administrative headquarters are located at Jakarta City Hall (Balai Kota DKI Jakarta) in Central Jakarta, immediately south of Merdeka Square. At the national level, Jakarta is represented in the People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR). In the 2024 election, the province was allocated 21 DPR seats across three electoral districts: Jakarta I, Jakarta II, and Jakarta III. Like other Indonesian provinces, Jakarta also sends four representatives to the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, DPD). Administrative divisions[edit] See also: List of districts of Jakarta Map of Jakarta's administrative cities, with the Thousand Islands Regency shown in a lower-left inset. Jakarta is divided into five administrative cities (kota administrasi) and one administrative regency (kabupaten administrasi). The administrative cities are Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, South Jakarta, East Jakarta, and North Jakarta, while the Thousand Islands form the province's sole administrative regency. Each administrative city is headed by a mayor and the Thousand Islands by a regent. These units are further divided into districts (kecamatan). Unlike autonomous cities and regencies elsewhere in Indonesia, Jakarta's administrative cities and regency do not have their own local legislatures and operate under the provincial government. Public safety[edit] The headquarters of Polda Metro Jaya Policing in Jakarta is handled by the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya), a regional command of the Indonesian National Police. Its jurisdiction covers Jakarta and surrounding areas, including Depok, Tangerang, South Tangerang, Bekasi city and Bekasi regency. The force is led by a regional police chief with the rank of inspector general. The Indonesian Army maintains a regional command in the capital, the Jayakarta Military Regional Command (Kodam Jaya). The command covers Jakarta and nearby areas such as Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi, and carries out territorial defence and security functions in the capital region. Municipal finances[edit] Jakarta's provincial revenue is drawn mainly from locally generated revenue (pendapatan asli daerah, PAD), supported by transfers from the national government. In the audited 2024 financial statements, realised PAD was Rp50.74 trillion, while realised transfer revenue was Rp21.62 trillion. PAD consisted chiefly of regional taxes, which accounted for Rp44.45 trillion of local revenue in 2024; vehicle ownership tax and vehicle transfer fees were among the largest tax items. Provincial spending covers basic services and other government functions, including education, health, public works and spatial planning, housing, public order, and social affairs. In 2024, Jakarta recorded realised regional revenue of Rp72.95 trillion, regional spending and transfers of Rp70.01 trillion, and a year-end budget surplus financing balance (SiLPA) of Rp4.43 trillion.

Infrastructure

[edit] Transportation[edit] Main article: Transport in Jakarta Two examples of public transport in Jakarta, the KRL Commuterline and the Transjakarta bus Jakarta relies heavily on road transport, and congestion has long affected travel across the city and the greater metropolitan area. The city is served by toll roads including the Jakarta Inner Ring Road, the Jakarta Outer Ring Road, and radial expressways linking it with surrounding areas. To manage traffic on selected roads, Jakarta uses an odd-even licence-plate restriction system. Jakarta's public transport network includes bus rapid transit, the Jakarta MRT, Jakarta LRT, Jabodebek LRT, KRL Commuterline, and the airport rail link. Recent transport policy has placed greater emphasis on integration between modes, including intermodal hubs, fare integration, walking access, and cycling facilities. Jakarta received the 2021 Sustainable Transport Award for work on integrated and resilient transport systems. The network also serves large commuter flows between Jakarta and surrounding municipalities in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. The Jakarta metropolitan area is served by Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, the main airport for the region, while Halim Perdanakusuma Airport handles domestic and secondary air services. The city's principal seaport is Tanjung Priok, Indonesia's main maritime gateway and its busiest port, while the Muara Angke harbour serves boat traffic to the Thousand Islands. Healthcare[edit] Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta Jakarta's healthcare system includes public and private hospitals, clinics, and community health centres (puskesmas). Public facilities include national referral hospitals such as Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital, as well as district hospitals and puskesmas. Local and national health-insurance policies affect access to care. In late 2012, then governor Joko Widodo introduced the Kartu Jakarta Sehat (Healthy Jakarta Card, KJS), a provincial programme intended to expand access to medical care through public health facilities. Indonesia launched the national Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) system in January 2014, administered by BPJS Kesehatan. A 2025 Jakarta planning document reported that universal health coverage in the province had reached 98.5% in 2023. Water supply[edit] Further information: Water privatisation in Jakarta Jakarta's piped-water system was long operated under a concession model. The public utility PAM Jaya retained ownership of the underlying assets, while private operators handled service delivery in different parts of the city. In February 2023, PAM Jaya resumed full operation of the city's piped-water services. An important part of Jakarta's raw water supply comes through the West Tarum Canal, which carries water from the Jatiluhur reservoir system on the Citarum River toward the capital. Piped-water coverage remains incomplete, where it was about 64% in 2022 and priority areas for network expansion have been identified in response to groundwater abstraction, land subsidence and groundwater-quality concerns. Poor households often faced barriers to individual network connections, and many residents therefore rely on self-supplied groundwater or other non-networked sources. Heavy groundwater abstraction contributes to land subsidence, while salinity and contamination remain groundwater-quality concerns.

International relations

[edit] See also: List of diplomatic missions in Jakarta As Indonesia's capital, Jakarta hosts foreign embassies, the ASEAN Secretariat, and permanent missions connected with ASEAN member states and several partner countries. The city also takes part in international urban networks. It has been a member of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group since 2006, and is part of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, a platform for cooperation on smart and sustainable urban development. Twin towns – sister cities[edit] See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Indonesia Jakarta has signed sister city agreements with a number of cities. Its 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 has also established cooperation arrangements with other cities and regions. Its partnership with Rotterdam has included capacity-building and knowledge exchange on integrated urban water management. 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