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Bogor

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Bogor is a significant landlocked city located in West Java, Indonesia.

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

It sits approximately 53 km south of Jakarta, the national capital. The city is also 85 km northwest of Bandung, the administrative center of West Java. Bogor is a major hub for science, culture, tourism, and the economy. It is famously known as the "Rainy City" or Kota Hujan. This nickname comes from the frequent rain showers that occur even during the dry season. The city is also one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Bogor Station Portico 2022
Bogor Station Portico 2022

The geography of Bogor is defined by its position in a basin. It is situated near two large volcanoes, Mount Salak and Mount Gede. Mount Salak is located about 12 km to the south. Mount Gede is about 22 to 25 km to the southeast. Because of these nearby volcanoes, the region is considered highly seismic. This means the area experiences frequent earthquake activity. The soil in the region is primarily composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks.

Pakuanpajajaran (vectoriser)
Pakuanpajajaran (vectoriser)

The terrain in Bogor is quite uneven rather than flat. The city covers a total area of 111.39 square kilometers. Most of the land has a slope between 2 and 15 degrees. However, the southern part of the city is more hilly. The northern part is relatively flat. Some small areas have very steep slopes of over 40 degrees. The average elevation is 265 meters above sea level. The maximum elevation reaches 330 meters, while the minimum is 190 meters.

Peta Bahasa di Bogor Raya (Kabupaten & Kota)
Peta Bahasa di Bogor Raya (Kabupaten & Kota)

Bogor has a history that stretches back to the 5th century. During that time, the area was part of Tarumanagara, an early Indonesian state. Later, it became the capital of the Sunda Kingdom. It was called Pakuan Pajajaran, meaning a place between parallel rivers. These rivers are the Ciliwung and the Cisadane. In 1482, King Siliwangi, also known as Sri Baduga Maharaja, made it the capital again.

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

This coronation date is still celebrated as an official city holiday. In 1579, the Sultanate of Banten captured the city, causing it to be abandoned for decades.

The Dutch colonial period brought significant changes to the city. The Dutch East India Company, or VOC, gradually took control of the area. In 1746, Governor-General Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff merged several settlements into a district called Buitenzorg. This name means "without worries" in Dutch. The Dutch preferred Bogor because its climate was mild compared to hot Batavia. They built a palace to serve as a summer residence 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 established the Bogor Botanical Garden in 1817.

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

This garden is one of the oldest and largest in the world.

During the 19th century, Bogor became a center for science and education. The Dutch established a large agricultural school and several scientific institutions. These included a natural science museum and various laboratories for biology and chemistry.

Agricultural lab in Bogor
Agricultural lab in Bogor

In 1904, Buitenzorg became the administrative center of the Dutch East Indies. However, most actual management stayed in Batavia. During World War II, Japanese forces occupied the area from 1942 to 1945. They used the Indonesian name Bogor to promote nationalist feelings. After Indonesia gained independence, the city officially became part of the Republic.

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

Today, Bogor is a vital part of modern Indonesia. The former summer residence of the Governor-General is now the summer palace for the President of Indonesia.

Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28
Bogor Botanical Gardens Java28

The city continues to play a role in international diplomacy. In the 1990s and 2000s, it hosted many major events. This included the APEC summit on November 15, 1994. The population has grown steadily over the years. The 2010 Census recorded 950,334 people. By 2020, the population reached 1,043,070. The official estimate for 2025 is 1,281,010 people. This growth highlights Bogor's importance as a major urban center.

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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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