10 Incredible Facts of Java Island

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Java is an island in Indonesia with a population of 136 million. The island is the most densely populated island in the world and is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. This island is inhabited by 60% of Indonesia’s population. The capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, is located in western Java.

Many historical records of Indonesia are located on Java, formerly Java was the center of Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, the Islamic Sultanate, the heart of the colonial East Indies, and was the center of the Indonesian independence campaign. This island dominates the social, political and economic life of the Indonesian people. To see more facts of Java Island, you can see these following paragraphs.

History reveals 60% of the population of Java comes from other ethnic groups

Java Island is occupied by other ethnic groups in Indonesia as much as 60%. In other words, 60 percent of the ethnic groups in Indonesia occupy the island of Java. So, if you are on Java, do not be surprised if you see Papuans, Makassar, Lombok, and other tribes. They are on average students who are studying in universities in Java.

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Not all people lives in Java island can speak Javanese

Java island consists of 6 provinces. They are DKI Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, and East Java. Not all people in those provinces speak Javanese. People of DKI Jakarta and Banten speak Bahasa Indonesia for their daily language. Meanwhile most of people in West Java speak Sundanese. Then Javanese language is spoken by most people in Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, and East Java. Now, you should understand that Jakarta is also the part of Java island.

Java Island has many dialects

Java Island has various dialects and languages. Javanese in the western, eastern and central regions have different dialects. For example, in the Central Java region, the community is a diglosia community whose citizens still use uploads of Javanese language based on who the speaker is and the other person speaks.

There are 3 levels in the Javanese language, namely ngoko (rude / informal), madya (ordinary / middle), krama (Halus), and krama inggil (very subtle). The West Java region uses Sundanese that is different from the Javanese language, although there are several similar or similar words. The East Java region is famous for its Javanese language which is a little rough if compared to the Javanese language used by Central Javanese.

Many people of Java migrated to Suriname during Dutch colonial

There are interesting facts about the Javanese population. Many people of Java island migrated to Suriname during the Dutch colonial period. This resulted in the spread of Javanese language abroad and Javanese language users increased. In addition, Javanese is also used in the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia, Cocos Island, Nouvelle Celedonie and is one of the languages studied in Australia.

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Four UNESCO world heritage is in Java

Java Island has four world heritage set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The four world heritages are Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Prambanan Temple in Klaten, Archaeological Site in Sangiran and Ujung Kulon National Park. If you like traveling to Indonesia, you must be very familiar with those places, right?

Java Island always preserves culture in the era of modernization

Modernization grew in line with the development of business activities that occurred in Java. More and more office buildings are built, the existence of malls as a place of entertainment is mushrooming, and there are still many other effects of modernization. Even so, some regions on Java still maintain their traditional culture. Like Yogyakarta, where Javanese customs and traditions are still deeply rooted in the midst of urban modernity.

Inhabited by 60% of Indonesia’s population

Java is an is the 13th widest island in the world. With a population of nearly 160 million, the island has the most population in the world and is one of the most populous places in the world. Even though it only ranks the 5th largest, Java Island is inhabited by 60% of Indonesia’s population.

This figure is decreased if compared to the population census of 1905 which reached 80.6% of the total population of Indonesia, a decline in population on the island of Java as a result of transmigration from Java to the rest of Indonesia. The capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, is located in northwestern Java (precisely at the westernmost tip of the northern coast).

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There are many volcanic mountains

Almost all of Java has been affected by volcanic activity. There are thirty-eight mountains stretching from east to west of the island, all of which at one time have become active volcanoes. The highest volcano on Java is Mount Semeru (3,676 m), while the most active volcano on Java and even in Indonesia are Mount Merapi (2,968 m) and Mount Kelud (1,731 m). Mountains and highlands that are far apart help inland areas to be divided into relatively isolated areas and suitable for wetland rice fields.

Java is a relatively young island and is largely formed from volcanic activity. Rows of volcanoes form a range that runs from the east to the west of the island, with the river alluvial sediment in the north.

The island with the most advanced facilities in Indonesia

Java has been the most developed island in Indonesia since the Dutch East Indies era until now. The road transportation network that has existed since ancient times was linked and perfected by the construction of the Pos Jawa Highway by Daendels in the early 19th century. The need for transportation of commercial products from plantations in the interior to ports on the coast has spurred the construction of a railroad network in Java.

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The Central of industry in Indonesia

Today, industry, business and trade, services are also developing in major cities in Java, such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang and Bandung, while traditional sultanate cities such as Yogyakarta, Surakarta, and Cirebon maintain the cultural heritage of the palace and become the center art, culture and tourism. Industrial estates also developed in cities along the northern coast of Java, especially around Cilegon, Tangerang, Bekasi, Karawang, Gresik, and Sidoarjo.

Those are the facts of Java island. Once you visit Java, you might fall in love with its beautiful nature. However, you must also remember that Java has many various cultures that you have never seen before.