Balikpapan

Balikpapan is a major seaport city located in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It sits on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo. The city is situated on the eastern side of Balikpapan Bay.

As a central financial hub, it plays a vital role in the Kalimantan region. It is the second most populous city in East Kalimantan, following the city of Samarinda. According to 2020 census data, the population was 688,318 people. By mid-2023, official estimates placed the population at 757,418.

The city's economy is driven largely by the petroleum industry. In 2016, the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated at Rp 73.18 trillion. This makes Balikpapan the largest city in Kalimantan by GDP. The Port of Semayang serves as a critical maritime gateway. It is the second busiest seaport in East Kalimantan, after the port in Samarinda.

For air travel, the city is served by the Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport.

The topography of the region is primarily defined by hilly terrain. Approximately 85 percent of the land consists of hills. Only about 15 percent of the area is flat land. This flat land is mostly located along the coast or surrounding the hilly areas. The soil is often composed of yellow-reddish podsolic soil, alluvial deposits, and quartz sand. This specific soil composition makes the area highly prone to erosion.

Balikpapan experiences a tropical rainforest climate, known scientifically as Köppen Af. This means there is no distinct dry season. The weather remains consistent throughout the year with little variation. Average temperatures stay nearly identical across all months. The sea temperature also remains warm, averaging around 28.4 to 29.6 degrees Celsius.

The history of Balikpapan began as a small Buginese fishing village in the 19th century. A major turning point occurred on February 10, 1897. This was the date of the first oil drilling in the area. This date is now celebrated as the city's anniversary. In 1907, the Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij (BPM) established its headquarters there. The company brought in skilled engineers and managers from overseas. This influx of professionals and multinational companies caused a significant economic boom.

World War II brought significant conflict and destruction to the city. In 1942, the Empire of Japan occupied Balikpapan. The city was targeted by Allied forces during the first Balikpapan Battle in 1942. A second battle occurred in 1945. These conflicts heavily damaged critical infrastructure. The oil refinery stations and the seaport were completely burned to the ground.

Later, in 1958, a CIA covert mission involved a pilot named William H. Beale. He dropped bombs that damaged the airport and sank an Indonesian Navy ship. These events disrupted the local economy and oil exports for a period.

In 1965, the Indonesian state-owned company Pertamina took control of BPM. This transition shifted ownership of oil exploration activities to the Indonesian state. Pertamina eventually opened its East Borneo headquarters in Balikpapan. This helped the city emerge as a revitalized center for petroleum production. Today, the city is known by nicknames like the "Oil City." It is also called "Kota Beriman," which is an acronym for clean, magnificent, and comfortable.

Environmental challenges currently affect the local ecosystem. The Wain River Protection Forest is a vital water catchment area. However, this forest is shrinking due to encroachment and illegal logging. Some areas have seen forest conditions drop to only 63 percent. Coal mining in nearby areas like Paser also disrupts the ecosystem. This damage leads to increased flooding and landslides during heavy rains.

Protecting endangered species, such as the sun bear, remains a priority. The sun bear serves as the official mascot of Balikpapan.