Jakarta (Java Indonesia)

Jakarta is Indonesia's largest seaport (Tanjung Priok Port/locode IDJKT), largest city and the coundtry's capital. By population (around 10,1 million) it is ranked the world's 21st largest. The metro region (Jabodetabek) has population over 33,4 million, ranking it world's 2nd largest - after Tokyo Japan (37,3 M). The city is located on the northwestern coast Java Island (world's most populous island) - with total population 145+ million.

The town (as Sunda Kelapa) was established in the 4th century and soon became a major trading port for the Kingdom of Sunda. Later renamed to Batavia, the town became the capital of Dutch East Indies (1816-1949). After WW2 (1939-45) it was renamed Djakarta and became Indonesia's capital. In the city are seated ASEAN Secretariat (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), major financial institutions (Bank of Indonesia, Indonesia Stock Exchange) and also the corporate headquarters of many large Indonesian and multinational corporations. City's economy is currently ranked 34th in the list of world's top-200 largest cities, growing faster in comparison to famous megapolises like Bangkok (Thailand), Beijing (China), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

The city has numerous outdoor markets and enormous shopping malls. With a total of 550 hectares (5,5 km2), it has world's largest shopping mall area within a single city. "Jakarta Great Sale" is an annual promo "mall shopping" event (held in June and July).

The huge city is served by two international airports - Halim Perdanakusuma (city) and Soekarno-Hatta (aka Cengkareng, metro). Regularly scheduled flights are operated by the Indonesian airlines Batik Air, Citilink, Pelita Air, Susi Air, Wings Air, TransNusa, Indonesia AirAsia, as well as by the international carriers Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia (Malaysia), Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (Japan), Korean Air and Asiana Airlines (South Korea), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), China Airlines and EVA Air (Taiwan), Cebu Pacific (Philippines), Emirates (Dubai), Thai Airways (Thailand), Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Vietnam Airlines and many others.

Jakarta's only administrative regency is Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands), a former district of North Jakarta that groups 105 islands in Java Sea. Kepulauan Seribu is a marine park with well-developed cruise and resort travel tourism industry, with best-known activities being scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, water bicycling, boat tours. The transportation between Jakarta and the Thousand Islands is mainly by high-speed tour boats and passenger ferries.