Java

From MaxTravelz

Java (Indonesian: Jawa) is an island in Indonesia.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Regions 3 Cities 3.1 West Java 3.2 Central Java 3.3 East Java 4 Other destinations 5 Talk 6 Get in 7 Get around 7.1 By bus 7.2 By train 7.3 By road 8 See 8.1 Itineraries 9 Do 10 Eat 11 Drink 12 Stay safe 13 Get out 14 External links

Understand

Java is only Indonesia's fifth-largest island in size, but with over 110 million people, over 65% of the country's population, Java is the most populated island not only in Indonesia but the entire world. Indonesia's capital Jakarta and most of its main cities culturally and economically are also located in Java. The island has given its name to a programming language and a blend of coffee.

The main ethnic group in Java is Javanese, except for the West Java region where most people are Sundanese. In the province of East Java, 22% of the population is of Madurese descent. Half of them lives on the island of Madura.

Jakarta the capital of Indonesia, is different from other areas of Java. This city has a population of around 10 million or 20 million, including the suburbs. Jakarta today consists of a mix of culture and people where many ethnicities, not only from Java but Sumatra, Borneo and other places live together.

Regions

Officially split into six administrative districts, Java is best thought of as three regions:

• West Java — including the capital Jakarta and its massive suburban sprawl, the university city of Bandung and the former sultanate of Banten
• Central Java — with Yogyakarta, Semarang and the mighty temples of Borobudur and Prambanan
• East Java — site of the mighty Mount Bromo and Indonesia's second-largest city Surabaya

Cities

West Java

• Bandung -- great nightlife, restaurants, cheap fashion
• Banten -- industrial port city but a good starting point
• Bogor -- the summer capital of the Dutch, known for its botanical garden

Central Java

• Semarang -- old buildings and inspiring museums
• Solo (also known as Surakarta) -- old buildings, inspiring museums and batik factories
• Yogyakarta -- beaches, old buildings and inspiring museums

East Java

• Surabaya -- old buildings and inspiring museums
• Banyuwangi -- the most eastern regency of Java and port to Bali
• Selo -- small village where to start the trek of Gunung Merapi, magnificent active volacano

Other destinations

• Borobudur -- The largest ancient Buddhist temple, one of the world's seven wonders, north of Yogyakarta
• Prambanan -- A great Hindu temple just east of Yogyakarta
• Mount Bromo -- The region where one of the last pockets of Javanese Hindus is to be found.
• Mount Tangkuban Parahu -- Ancient volcano, located in West Java
• Krakatoa -- Ancient volcano, sinking island

Talk

While Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is the lingua franca understood by almost everyone, the majority of Java's population also speak Javanese, a related but mutually incomprehensible language. As the largest single language in Indonesia, Javanese influence on Bahasa Indonesia has been quite significant, and particularly in Central and East Java you'll even hear the local pronunciation change — the most notable change is a turning into o, so eg. Surabaya becomes Suroboyo.

Other significant local languages include Sundanese, spoken in West Java, and Madurese, spoken on and around the island of Madura.

Get in

Most visitors to Java arrive via Jakarta. Surabaya and Yogyakarta also field some international and many domestic flights.

Get around

Java's infrastructure is by far the best in Indonesia, and it's possible to cross the entire island by land in a single (long) day. However, the sheer density of population means that roads, buses and trains can get overcrowded if you're moving at the same time as everyone else.

By bus

The main form of long-distance transport, vast armadas of buses cross the island and connect every city and mountain hamlet. Watch out though, as many drivers have near-suicidal driving habits that emphasize speed above all else.

By train

Java has the best railway network in Indonesia, with trains connecting the capital city of Jakarta with most other cities and towns in the island. The eksekutif class is the best class, and consequently the most expensive.

Ticket reservations can be made starting one month in advance. No on-line ticket reservation is available, but availability can be gleaned on PT Kereta Api's ticketing site. Description of various trains are available on Kereta Api website.

By road

Java's toll roads are built nearly to Western standards, with dual grade-separated lanes in both directions and elevated interchanges. Tolls are quite affordable, usually Rp 1,000-5,000 every 10 km or so. However, signage is often lacking and driving habits are atrocious, so it's very wise to pay a little extra and get a car with driver instead of attempting to drive yourself.

See

Itineraries

Do

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Get out

External links

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