Surabaya is a big city.
It is in Indonesia. It sits by the sea. Many people live there. It is a busy place to trade. Do you want to see the shark and crocodile statue?
Surabaya is a very big city.
It is in Indonesia. It sits by the sea.
Many people live there. It is a busy place to trade. Ships bring sugar and coffee.
The city has a special statue. It shows a shark and a crocodile. This is the symbol for the city. It is a brave place.
Surabaya is a very large city in Indonesia.
It sits on the island of Java. The city is by the Madura Strait.
It is the capital of East Java. It is the second largest city in the country.
Over 3 million people live in the city. Many more live in the area around it.
Surabaya has a very long history. It was a major port for a long time. Ships bring goods like sugar, tobacco, and coffee to the port.
The city's name means "bravely facing danger." A famous statue shows a shark and a crocodile. This symbol comes from an old story. Some say it tells of a great battle.
Surabaya is also known as the "City of Heroes." This is because of a big fight in 1945. This battle helped Indonesia become free. Today, the city is a busy place for business. It has big banks and many new industries. The Suramadu Bridge helps people travel near the city.
Surabaya is a huge and busy city in Indonesia.
It sits on the northeastern corner of Java island. The city is located right by the Madura Strait.
It is the capital of the East Java province. Many people call it one of the four main central cities of the country.
In 2020, about 2.8 million people lived inside the city limits. By mid-2024, that number grew to over 3 million people. The wider metropolitan area is even larger, with over 10 million people living there.
The city has a very old and interesting history. It was settled in the 10th century by the Kingdom of Janggala.
Later, it grew into a powerful duchy during the 15th and 16th centuries. It was part of the Majapahit empire for a time. The city sits near the Brantas River delta. This location made it a perfect place for trading ships. These ships traveled between Malacca and the Spice Islands.
People have many stories about how the city got its name. The name Surabaya comes from Javanese words meaning "bravely facing danger."
One legend tells of a fight between a shark and a crocodile. A statue of these two animals can be seen near the city zoo.
Some people think the name refers to a battle during the Mongol invasion in 1293. This date is now used as the city's anniversary. Other stories talk about two heroes named Sura and Baya. These tales are part of the city's special spirit.
Surabaya is also famous as the "City of Heroes."
This name comes from a big battle in 1945. During this time, Indonesian people fought for their independence.
A famous event involved a flag being changed at the Yamato Hotel. This battle helped the whole world see the struggle for freedom. It is a very important part of Indonesian history. Today, people celebrate this bravery on Heroes' Day.
Today, the city is a major center for money and trade.
The port is very busy with many different goods. Ships carry items like sugar, tobacco, and coffee.
There are many banks, insurance companies, and big factories here. The Suramadu Bridge helps connect the area to other places.
The city also has large shipyards and special schools for the navy. It continues to grow as a major part of the global economy.
Surabaya is the capital city of the East Java province in Indonesia.
It sits on the northeastern corner of Java island. The city is located along the Madura Strait.
It is recognized as one of Indonesia's four main central cities. This group includes Jakarta, Medan, and Makassar. Surabaya is also the second-largest city in the country. The city covers a land area of 335.93 square kilometers.
The population within the city limits was 2,874,314 in 2020. By mid-2024, the population reached 3,018,022 people. The wider metropolitan area is even larger. It contains over 10 million people. This makes it the second-largest metropolitan area in Indonesia.
The city's economy is very strong and growing. The Surabaya metropolitan area is the sixth-largest economy in ASEAN. This puts it ahead of Hanoi. In 2023, the city's Gross Regional Product at purchasing power parity was estimated at US$150.294 billion. This wealth comes from many different industries. The city has a very strong financial infrastructure. It includes many banks, insurance companies, and export-import firms. The economy is also influenced by international industries. The completion of the Suramadu Bridge has helped this growth. The city also hosts a large shipyard. There are also many specialized naval schools located here.
Surabaya has a long and complex history. The Kingdom of Janggala settled the area in the 10th century. This happened after Airlangga abdicated his throne in 1045. By the 15th and 16th centuries, Surabaya was a powerful duchy. It was a major political and military power in eastern Java. It likely functioned under the Majapahit empire. The city's location on the Brantas River delta was vital. It sat on a trade route between Malacca and the Spice Islands. This route used the Java Sea for travel. During the decline of Majapahit, Surabaya resisted the Demak Sultanate. It finally submitted to Demak rule in 1530. Surabaya became independent again in 1546 after Sultan Trenggana died.
The city's name has many interesting origins. The name Surabaya comes from a Javanese phrase. It translates to "bravely facing danger." The name may come from Pali words. "Sura" refers to the Asura figure in Buddhist beliefs. "Bhaya" means fear or danger. One legend involves a prophecy by King Jayabaya. He was a psychic king of the Kediri Kingdom. He predicted a battle between a white shark and a crocodile. This event might represent the Mongol invasion in 1293. This battle involved Kublai Khan and the Majapahit forces. Many people celebrate May 31 as the city's founding date.
A statue of the shark and crocodile stands near the zoo.
Some stories also mention two heroes named Sura and Baya.
During the colonial era, Surabaya became a major hub. The Dutch East India Company took control in 1743. From the 18th to the mid-20th century, it was the largest city in the Dutch East Indies. It was a main trading center for the entire archipelago. It even competed with cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong. The city served as a massive naval base. In 1905, it became a municipality. In 1926, it was named the capital of East Java. The Tanjung Perak Harbor was built in 1910.
The port remains one of the busiest in Asia. Principal exports include coffee, sugar, and tobacco.
Surabaya is famously known as the "City of Heroes."
This title comes from the Battle of Surabaya in 1945. This battle happened during the Indonesian National Revolution. It began after British Brigadier Mallaby was killed.
Indonesian fighters refused an ultimatum to surrender. The battle cost thousands of lives. Indonesians now celebrate November 10 as Heroes' Day. This struggle helped gain international support for independence. The city's spirit of bravery is a core part of its identity.
Today, Surabaya is a modern and expanding urban center. Rapid urbanization has caused the city to grow east and west. New industries and housing developments occupy the outskirts. The city is a major center for education and technology. It is home to Airlangga University and the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology.
The Bank of Indonesia wants Surabaya to be an Islamic financial center. This would add a new layer to its economic importance. The city continues to connect with the world through its port and its people.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (26)
+ 14 more
More to explore
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.