What is on your minds if you hear about Palembang? Do you think of Musi River, Ampera Bridge, or even Pempek? Yup,Palembang is the popular city in Indonesia which is located in South of Sumatra.
It has been recognized as the second big city in Sumatera after Medan. More than those several popular identical things in Palembang, it has several facts that would be interesting thing for you.
- Got Adipura Award 9 times
Palembang is a city with a high level of cleanliness. This is marked by the success to get Adipura cup as much as nine times in a row. It is very interesting. Adipura Cup is an award given by the central government to the region which has the greatest cleanliness. Palembang also had been successful to get the award as “Environmentally Sustainable City” as much as 2 times. It means that Palembang city has the best sustainable environment in ASEAN.
- The ex-center of Sriwijaya Kingdom
One of the largest kingdoms in Indonesia is the Sriwijaya kingdom. This kingdom has a very big influence with a very wide power, it is estimated that the kingdom of Sriwijaya Having a central government in the city of Palembang.
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- The oldest city in the world
Palembang gets the title as the oldest city in the world. After struggling to establish its name as the oldest city in the world because it has existed since the century 682 AD, Palembang has been successfully got this predicate. It is also proven from the various places that have been found in Palembang which was already written since the century of 682 AD. This is an interesting fact and pride for Indonesians especially for the Palembang residents themselves.
4. The location of the longest river in Sumatra
It is called the river of Musi which is mentioned as the longest river in Sumatra. The river with a length of 750 km also makes the city of Palembang split into 2 called ulu and ilir. The source of Musi river stream is from Kepahiang, Bengkulu. Musi River was also called as the part of Venice from the east long time ago. (Read also: Top 10 Longest River in Indonesia )
- The place of the greatest Sport Complex in Indonesia
It is called JSC (the short of Jakabaring Sport City) that has been announced as the greatest sport complex in Indonesia. The area of 325 hectares located in Seberang Ulu which is located 5 km from the downtown of Palembang. JSC was built to support the 26th SEA GAMES 2011 in Palembang. Currently, it becomes the major sport complex in Indonesia that provides various venues of several sports. Based on the plant of the government, JSC is being prepared for Asian Games 2018.
- The Pioneer of the free-school in Indonesia
The facility of free schools actually is one of the main programs of the Provincial Government of South Sumatra. It seems to be transferred to the district / city. Palembang as the capital city is the pioneer of this program. The regional budget for education exceeds the national target. That is why Palembang starts to conduct the program. (Read also: Facts about Education in Indonesia)
- The location of the best city park in Indonesia
It is Kambang Iwak Family Park or usually called as Ki Family Park, that has been mentioned as the greatest park in Indonesia. For those who visit Palembang, you could try to visit this place to be one of your destinations.
It is not only crowded during the day, but also full of visitors at night. The fountain with the light and colorful lamps that is decorated almost spread in every corner of the garden. Because of all these beauties, Kambang Iwak Family Park became the best city park in Indonesia.
- The location of the world’s oldest fertilizer company
It is called PT Pupuk Pusri 2 that was established in 1947 in Palembang, South Sumatra. This company is crowned as the oldest fertilizer company in the world. It is also the biggest fertilizer company in Indonesia. Since Indonesia is the agrarian state, the production of PT Pusri becomes well increased.
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- The city of Pempek
For the traditional culinary, Palembang is famous with pempek. Pempek is one of the most famous foods of Palembang. Historically, pempek has started to exist in Palembang since the entry of Chinese immigrants to Palembang in 16th century. Pempek is actually a kind of processed food fish wrapped with starch and given a slightly acidic vinegar sauce. Many people of Indonesians like to eat this kind of food.
- Called as Venice from the east
The raft house is one of the icons of Palembang’s water front city concept, which has survived hundreds of years ago. Peter J.M. Nas, professor of the University of Leiden, the Netherlands, mentioned Palembang as Venice of the East, which means it is like Venice linked to the existence of hundreds of these raft houses.
- The location of the first sophisticated bridge in Indonesia
Ampera Bridge is the only bridge that can be lifted in Indonesia by splitting the bridge into two. The bridge connecting these two areas called Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir in Palembang. Although rarely raised, Ampera bridge is still actively crossed the vehicle. At the first, the bridge was lifted so that the passing ship was not transported on the bridge body. However, since 1970, the Ampera bridge is no longer lifted because it disrupts traffic on it.
- The place of the biggest Qur’an in the world
The Qur’an is a main reference of Muslims. Because Indonesia has a majority Muslim population, as well as in Palembang, the majority people embrace Islamic religion.
There is the world’s largest Qur’an holy book with a very large size 177 X 140 X 2.5 Centimeters and overall thickness and cover about is about 9 meters. It is located in Pondok Pesantren Al Ihsaniyah Gandus, Palembang. With a page of 630 pages the process of making the Qur’an costs Rp 2 Billion. On 30 January 2012 it is opened to the public and became the largest Qur’an in the world.
13. The location of the big stadium in Indonesia
Palembang is also the location for one of the big stadium in Indonesia. It is called Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium. With a capacity of 40,000 seats, there was held two matches in the AFC Asian Cup 2007, the group stage D between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and also the race for the third place between South Korea and Japan. It was a pride for Indonesians.
Beside all interesting facts that i’ve explained above, here the information of beautiful Palembang (South Sumatra) in one frame for you can enjoy.
Those are the 13 facts in Palembang. When you visit Palembang, you could learn Culture in Palembang as well Culture in South Sumatra . Besides, Palembang has many beautiful spots of tourism where you could refresh your mind. Don’t forget to taste Pempek as the traditional food from Palembang.
