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Banjarmasin

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Banjarmasin is a major urban center located in South Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Pasar Terapung di Kota Banjarmasin
Pasar Terapung di Kota Banjarmasin

It sits on a delta island near the confluence of the Barito and Martapura rivers. The city serves as a vital cultural hub for the Banjarese people. Historically, it was the capital of the Sultanate of Banjar. Today, it remains one of the most significant cities on the island of Borneo. It is the third most populous city on the island.

Patung Bekantan Banjarmasin
Patung Bekantan Banjarmasin

The geography of Banjarmasin is defined by its low-lying, swampy terrain. The land is very flat with a slight slope of only 0.13%. Most of the city sits near or even below water level. This makes the area prone to flooding from tidal bores. The ground consists of clay, sandstone, and alluvial sediments from the rivers. A dendritic drainage pattern exists here, meaning small rivers branch out like trees. These smaller waterways all connect to the Martapura or Barito rivers.

Pinggiran Sungai Martapura di Kota Banjarmasin
Pinggiran Sungai Martapura di Kota Banjarmasin

The climate in this region is a tropical savanna climate. This means the area experiences heavy rainfall from November to June. Rainfall becomes more moderate between July and October. Temperatures stay warm throughout the year. The average maximum temperature is 32.5°C, while the average minimum is 23.7°C. The hottest months are typically March through September. During the rainy season, sunshine is limited to about 2.8 hours per day. In the dry season, sunshine increases to 6.5 hours per day.

Flyover Banjarmasin
Flyover Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin has a deep and complex history. Archaeological finds by H. Kupper in 1939 revealed prehistoric stone tools. These artifacts suggest a Neolithic culture existed in the region long ago. Before the modern city, several kingdoms inhabited the area. These included Tanjungpuri, Negara Daha, and Dipa. The specific history of Banjarmasin began with the founding of the Sultanate of Banjar. A leader named Raden Samudra fled to the region. He eventually met Patih Masih and grew the port of Bandar Masih.

Komplek Makam Sultan Suriansyah
Komplek Makam Sultan Suriansyah

Raden Samudra later became Sultan Suriansyah I after defeating Prince Tumenggung. He achieved this by allying with the Demak Sultanate. This alliance led to the introduction of Islam to the region. For a time, the sultanate was a protectorate of Demak. However, it became independent between 1546 and 1550 due to the spice trade. European contact began around 1596 through trade in Banten. Dutch traders later sought a monopoly on the nutmeg trade. This led to many conflicts, including the burning of company possessions in 1638.

1. ZM Stoomschip Celebes in gevecht met een Kota Mara 6 aug 1859 Poeloe Kananat opgenomen
1. ZM Stoomschip Celebes in gevecht met een Kota Mara 6 aug 1859 Poeloe Kananat opgenomen

The 19th and 20th centuries brought significant political changes. A war over coal mines and succession ended the sultanate in 1863. This conflict continued under an emergency government until 1905. During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied the city.

Japanese attack on Borneo, 1941-1942
Japanese attack on Borneo, 1941-1942

Australian forces liberated the city in September 1945. Following this, the people fought the Kalimantan Physical Revolution against the Dutch. This struggle ended with Dutch recognition of Indonesia in 1949. The city was later granted official city status in 1959.

Today, Banjarmasin is part of a massive urban agglomeration. This area is known as Greater Banjarmasin or Banjarbakula. It includes the city of Banjarbaru and parts of several regencies. In mid-2024, the population of Greater Banjarmasin exceeded two million people. This accounts for almost half of the total population of South Kalimantan. The city proper had an estimated 681,693 inhabitants in mid-2024.

Duta Mall Banjarmasin
Duta Mall Banjarmasin

While the provincial capital moved to Banjarbaru on 15 February 2022, Banjarmasin remains a central hub.

Kantor Wali Kota Banjarmasin
Kantor Wali Kota Banjarmasin
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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
File:Komplek Makam Sultan Suriansyah.jpg
Komplek Makam Sultan Suriansyah.jpg
File:1. ZM Stoomschip Celebes in gevecht met een Kota Mara 6 aug 1859 Poeloe Kananat opgenomen.jpg
1. ZM Stoomschip Celebes in gevecht met...
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het bezoek van de Gouverneur-Generaal mr. Dirk Fock aan Bandjermasin tijdens zijn rondreis door de Zuider- en Oosterafdeling van Borneo 1924-04-00 TMnr 60013434.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het bezoek van de...
File:Japanese attack on Borneo, 1941-1942.jpg
Japanese attack on Borneo, 1941-1942.jpg
File:Kantor Wali Kota Banjarmasin.jpg
Kantor Wali Kota Banjarmasin.jpg
File:Gedung BCA Banjarmasin.jpg
Gedung BCA Banjarmasin.jpg
File:Patung Bekantan Banjarmasin.jpg
Patung Bekantan Banjarmasin.jpg
File:GKE Eppata Banjarmasin.jpg
GKE Eppata Banjarmasin.jpg
File:Gerbang Klenteng Soetji Nurani Banjarmasin.jpg
Gerbang Klenteng Soetji Nurani Banjarmasin.jpg
File:Gedung baru UNISKA MAB.jpg
Gedung baru UNISKA MAB.jpg
File:Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Ulin.jpg
Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Ulin.jpg
File:Pasar Terapung di Kota Banjarmasin.jpg
Pasar Terapung di Kota Banjarmasin.jpg

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