Depok

Depok is a landlocked city located in the West Java province of Indonesia.

It sits directly south of Jakarta. This position makes it a major part of the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area. Within this region, Depok is the third largest urban center. It follows only Jakarta and Bekasi in size. The city covers a total area of approximately 199.91 square kilometers. It serves as a vital hub for both education and commerce.

The city's population has grown significantly over recent decades. The 2010 census recorded 1,738,600 residents. By 2020, this number rose to 2,056,400 people. Official estimates for mid-2024 placed the population at 2,163,635. This total includes 1,088,759 males and 1,074,876 females. Consequently, the population density is about 10,823 people per square kilometer. This makes Depok the second most populous suburban city in Indonesia. It also ranks among the ten most populous suburban cities in the world.

The history of Depok involves complex social changes. In 1696, Cornelis Chastelein purchased 12.44 square kilometers of land. This area represented about 6.2% of the modern city. Chastelein was a senior official in the Dutch East India Company. He established plantations and introduced Christianity to the local people. He also founded a local congregation named De Eerste Protestante Organisatie van Christenen. This acronym, DEPOC, is thought by some to have influenced the modern name. Another theory suggests the name comes from the Indonesian word padepokan, meaning hermitage.

Social structures shifted greatly due to Chastelein's final wishes. Before he died in 1714, he wrote a will. This document freed the enslaved families living on his land. He granted them pieces of land to become independent landowners. These families are often called the Mardijker, from the Indonesian word merdeka, meaning freedom. The original twelve families included names like Isakh, Jacob, Jonathans, and Joseph. These families included people of Balinese, Ambonese, Buginese, Sundanese, and Portuguese Indo descent. Many descendants still live in Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, Canada, and the United States.

Depok's physical environment is defined by its tropical climate and geology. The city experiences two distinct seasons. The wet season occurs between June and September. The dry season lasts from October until May. Geologically, the city sits on a basement of alluvial deposits. These are layers of sand and silt. They sit between 0 and 68 meters above the bedrock from the Pleistocene epoch. Two major rivers, the Ciliwung and the Pesanggrahan, flow through the area. The city also contains 22 lakes and 13 tributaries.

Demographics in Depok show a very diverse population. The largest ethnic groups are Betawi, Javanese, and Sundanese.

According to the 2000 census, Betawi people made up 34.20% of the population. Javanese people accounted for 28.10%, and Sundanese people made up 25.65%. Other groups include Batak and Minangkabau people from Sumatra. While Indonesian is the main language for communication, the Betawi Ora dialect is widely used. In certain districts like Tapos, many people speak Sundanese. The city also celebrates local culture, such as the Lenggang Nyai dance.

Modern Depok is a major center for learning and trade. It hosts famous institutions like the University of Indonesia and Gunadarma University. For shopping, the city offers many malls like Margo City and Depok Town Square. Traditional markets, such as Pasar Depok Lama, remain important. Transportation is highly developed to support the large population. Residents use the KRL Commuterline and the Jabodebek LRT.

The Harjamukti LRT station serves the Cibubur Line. For local travel, many use angkot or ride-hailing services. Sports fans can visit Mahakam Stadium to watch football.