Practically lying on the equator, Java Island is the world’s most populous island with an estimated population of 143.1 million people. Home to 57 percent of the Indonesian population, the island was the center for Hindu-Buddhist empires.
One the world’s most densely populated places, Java holds must of Indonesia’s history as well as its center of politics, economic growth, and culture.
6 Fun Facts About Java, the Indonesian Island
Mount Merbabu surrounded by rice fields on the island of Java, Indonesia. Photo by Merbabu Sawah.
1. By land mass size, Java is the world’s 13th largest island, and fifth largest Indonesian Island. It was formed mainly by volcanic eruptions and has an east-west chain of them along the island.
2. Java is split into four provinces: East Java, Central Java, West Java, and Banten. Javanese and Indonesian are spoken there.
The 9th century Borobudur Buddhist stupa in Central Java is the world’s largest Buddhist monument, built in the 8th century by the Sailendra dynasty. Photo by Gunawan Kartapranata
3. The Indonesian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion but the government only recognizes six official religions (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism). On the island of Java, more than 90 percent of the people are Muslim on a broad continuum between abangan (more traditional) and santri (more modernist). Some parts of south-central Java are strongly Roman Catholic and Buddhist.
4. With more than 450 different bird species, Java is a bird watcher’s paradise.
5. During the colonial periods of the 17th century, the Dutch introduced commercial cultivation of sugarcane, rubber, tea and coffee plants in Java. In the 19th and early 20th century, Javanese coffee gained global popularity. This is why the name “Java” is commonly considered synonymous with coffee.
Central Jakarta during monthly Car Free Day, on the last Sunday every month. The Thamrin-Sudirman Avenue from National Monument to Senayan area is closed from cars and any motorized vehicles from 6 AM to 12 AM, except for TransJakarta Bus Rapid Transit system. Photo by Gunawan Kartapranta.
6. Located on the northwest coast of Java, Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and its largest city. With a population of more than 10 million, Jakarta is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, leading to Car Free Days on certain Sundays, and the world’s longest bus rapid transit routes.
Java is definitely a place to experience for its diverse culture, history, and landscape.
Learn more about Java, Indonesia with these resources:
50 Things to Know About Travelling to Indonesia: The Island of Java: Where Cultures, Culinary and Nature Meet
This post is written by Megan Bryde, a forever student of the world while also finishing up her bachelors in English at Truman State University this semester.
Involved in too many activities, she sings as loud as she can, writes, cooks, bakes, and drinks a lot of coffee. Check out her blog to see more about what she does.
Megan is currently completing an internship with VentureTime Travel and aspires to be teaching English someday.
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