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Yogyakarta

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Yogyakarta is the capital city of the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia.

Indonesia Yogyakarta City location map
Indonesia Yogyakarta City location map

It is located in the south-central part of the island of Java. This city is unique because it is the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy. It serves as a vital center for classical Javanese fine arts and culture. Visitors can experience many traditions like ballet, batik textiles, and wayang puppetry. The city also functions as a major hub for Indonesian education. It houses dozens of schools and prestigious universities.

Gedung Pusat (Rektorat) UGM
Gedung Pusat (Rektorat) UGM

Gadjah Mada University is the largest institute of higher education in the country.

The history of the region is deeply connected to ancient kingdoms. The area was once the heart of the Medang Kingdom. According to the Canggal inscription from 732 CE, this kingdom was established by King Sanjaya. Mataram became a center for Hindu-Buddhist culture for about three centuries. This era saw the construction of massive temples like Borobudur and Prambanan. Around 929 CE, King Mpu Sindok moved the seat of power to East Java. Historians believe a severe eruption from Mount Merapi might have caused this move.

Kota Gede Jogjakarta
Kota Gede Jogjakarta

Later, the area became a province within the Majapahit Empire.

The modern royal lineage began with the Mataram Sultanate. Between 1587 and 1613, the district of Kota served as its capital. The sultanate reached its greatest height under Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo. However, civil war eventually broke out between Pakubuwono II and Prince Mangkubumi. Mangkubumi fought to prevent the people from becoming slaves under Dutch rule. He eventually defeated his brother and founded the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

Jogja.kraton
Jogja.kraton

He took the name Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. The royal House of Hamengkubuwono moved into the Yogyakarta Palace in 1756. This royal house continues to rule the region today.

Yogyakarta played a critical role during the Indonesian National Revolution. After the Japanese occupation ended in 1945, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX supported the new Republic. He acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. This support earned the region its status as a "special district." From 1946 to 1948, Yogyakarta actually served as the capital of Indonesia.

Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (49797461187)
Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (49797461187)

This happened after the Dutch took control of Jakarta. The city remained a symbol of resistance until Dutch forces were cleared in 1949.

The geography of the city is defined by its landmarks and climate. The city spreads out from the Kraton, which is the Sultan's palace. To the north, the city features a commercial district with colonial-era buildings. Jalan Malioboro is the main shopping street for tourists.

Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta
Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta

You can find many batik and handicraft vendors there. The city is also near Mount Merapi, a famous active stratovolcano. Merapi means "mountain of fire" in Indonesian and Javanese. The volcano has erupted regularly since 1548, with a recent eruption in January 2024. The climate is a tropical monsoon type. The annual temperature stays around 26 to 27 degrees Celsius.

Urban life in Yogyakarta is dense and energetic. The city is divided into fourteen subdivisions called kemantren. In 2020, Yogyakarta City had the highest population density in the Greater Yogyakarta area. This density reached 11,546 people per square kilometer. The city's population was 373,589 in the 2020 census. By mid-2023, the official estimate was 375,699 people. This population includes 182,840 men and 192,859 women. The larger metropolitan area is much bigger. It includes 65 districts and was home to over four million people in 2010.

There are many significant cultural and social connections in the city. Yogyakarta has the highest Human Development Index in all of Indonesia. Its score is 0.887, which reflects high standards of living and education. The city's name has a deep meaning rooted in the Ramayana epic. It is named after the Indian city of Ayodhya. The name combines "Yogya," meaning fit or proper, and "karta," meaning prosperous. Therefore, Yogyakarta means "a city that is fit to prosper."

Eastern face of west gate, Taman Sari, Yogyakarta, 2014-04-24 (from 19 images)
Eastern face of west gate, Taman Sari, Yogyakarta, 2014-04-24 (from 19 images)

This name reflects the city's long history of culture and growth.

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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Kota Gede Jogjakarta.jpg
Kota Gede Jogjakarta.jpg
File:Jogja.kraton.jpg
Jogja.kraton.jpg
File:Eastern face of west gate, Taman Sari, Yogyakarta, 2014-04-24 (from 19 images).jpg
Eastern face of west gate, Taman Sari,...
File:Indonesia Yogyakarta City location map.svg
Indonesia Yogyakarta City location map.svg
File:Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta.JPG
Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta.JPG
File:Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (49797461187).jpg
Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (49797461187).jpg
File:New Mandala Krida Stadium.jpg
New Mandala Krida Stadium.jpg
File:Gedung Olahraga Among Rogo 02.jpg
Gedung Olahraga Among Rogo 02.jpg
File:Gedung Pusat (Rektorat) UGM.jpg
Gedung Pusat (Rektorat) UGM.jpg
File:Yogyakarta International Airport signage.jpg
Yogyakarta International Airport signage.jpg
File:Yogyakarta Tugu Station.jpg
Yogyakarta Tugu Station.jpg
File:Armada Trans Jogja Koridor 5B.jpg
Armada Trans Jogja Koridor 5B.jpg

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