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Bogor

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Bogor is a busy city in West Java, Indonesia.

Mt. Salak viewed from Bogor
Mt. Salak viewed from Bogor

It sits in a basin near two large volcanoes. Mount Salak is about 12 km south of the city. Mount Gede is also nearby to the southeast. The land here is not flat at all. The northern part of the city is relatively flat. However, the southern part is much more hilly.

Pakuanpajajaran (vectoriser)
Pakuanpajajaran (vectoriser)

Because it is near volcanoes, the area has many earthquakes. The soil is mostly made of volcanic rocks.

Many people call Bogor the "Rainy City." This is because rain showers happen very often. Even during the dry season, it still rains a lot. The air feels cool because of the mountains.

Teijsmann Garden at Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia
Teijsmann Garden at Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia

The city is also very crowded. The central part is one of the most densely populated places in the world. In 2020, the population was 1,043,070 people. By 2025, the estimate was 1,281,010 people. The city covers an area of 111.39 square kilometers.

Bogor has a very long and interesting history. In the 5th century, the area was part of Tarumanagara. Later, it became the capital of the Sunda Kingdom. Back then, it was called Pakuan Pajajaran.

KITLV 87649 - Isidore van Kinsbergen - Inscribed stone at Batoetoelis at Buitenzorg - Before 1900
KITLV 87649 - Isidore van Kinsbergen - Inscribed stone at Batoetoelis at Buitenzorg - Before 1900

The name meant a place between two parallel rivers. These rivers are the Ciliwung and the Cisadane. In 1482, King Siliwangi made it the capital again. This date is still a city holiday in Bogor today.

During the colonial period, the Dutch changed the city. They called it Buitenzorg, which means "without worries."

Coat of Arms of Buitenzorg (1932)
Coat of Arms of Buitenzorg (1932)

They liked the cool climate better than the hot city of Batavia. They built a large palace there for the Governor-General.

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Luchtfoto van het paleis van de Gouverneur-Generaal in Buitenzorg TMnr 60027049
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Luchtfoto van het paleis van de Gouverneur-Generaal in Buitenzorg TMnr 60027049

They also started a famous botanical garden in 1817. This garden is one of the oldest and largest in the world.

Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28
Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28

The city also became a place for science and schools.

Today, Bogor is a very important center for Indonesia. It is a place for science, culture, and tourism. The old palace is now the summer palace for the President of Indonesia.

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het hoofd van de deelstaat Negara Pasundan met zijn secretaris TMnr 60054594
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het hoofd van de deelstaat Negara Pasundan met zijn secretaris TMnr 60054594

The city also hosts many international meetings. For example, it hosted the APEC summit in 1994. It remains a key part of the West Java province. Many people visit to see the gardens and the history.

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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
KITLV 87649 - Isidore van Kinsbergen -...
File:Pakuanpajajaran_(vectoriser).svg
Pakuanpajajaran_(vectoriser).svg
File:Coat of Arms of Buitenzorg (1932).svg
Coat of Arms of Buitenzorg (1932).svg
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Olieverfschildering voorstellend de grote postweg bij Buitenzorg TMnr 1012-1.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM...
File:Resident Offce Resident Office Buitenzorg.jpg
Resident Offce Resident Office Buitenzorg.jpg
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Luchtfoto van het paleis van de Gouverneur-Generaal in Buitenzorg TMnr 60027049.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Luchtfoto van het...
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het hoofd van de deelstaat Negara Pasundan met zijn secretaris TMnr 60054594.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Het hoofd van de...
File:Mt. Salak viewed from Bogor.jpg
Mt. Salak viewed from Bogor.jpg
File:Peta Bahasa di Bogor Raya (Kabupaten & Kota).png
Peta Bahasa di Bogor Raya (Kabupaten & Kota).png
File:Teijsmann Garden at Bogor Botanical Garden, Indonesia.jpg
Teijsmann Garden at Bogor Botanical...
File:Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28.jpg
Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28.jpg
File:Bogor Station Portico 2022.jpg
Bogor Station Portico 2022.jpg

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