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Overview
Sprawling
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is a city
of contrast: the traditional and the modern, the
rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly,
often stand side by side in this teeming
metropolis. Even its population, gathered from all
those diverse ethnic and cultural groups that make
Indonesia, are constantly juxtaposed as an
ever-present reminder of the national motto: Unity
in Diversity.
Situated
on the northwestern coast of Java, Jakarta
occupies an area of 670 sq. km. and is the home of
more than 10 million people coming from all ethnic
groups in the archipelago and also from other
countries. Jakarta's architecture reflects to a
large extend the influx of outside influences
which came and found a home in this vital seaport
city. Since the late 1960's, Jakarta has developed
tremendously so that it became a metropolis as
well as a Cosmo polis. Skyscrapers has been built
along the main avenues.
But
some years ago Jakarta was given a nickname
"Big Village". The nickname indicates
that Jakarta is not just a jungle of glass and
concrete, but that the city still retains some of
its rural character. Jakarta is not just the
capital of Indonesia, a trade and industrial canter,
but also a tourist destination on its own. The
city has the most complete tourism infrastructure
and facilities in Indonesia. Maybe also southeast
Asia. And more importantly, Jakarta does not lack
tourist attractions. Its long history offers many
historical sites and buildings.
The
Taman Fatahillah Restoration Project, begun in the
early 1970`s, has restored one of the oldest
sections of Jakarta - also known as Old Batavia -
to approximately its former look. The old Supreme
Court building is now a museum of fine arts which
also houses some parts of the excellent Chinese
porcelain collection of the former Indonesian Vice
President Mr. Adam Malik. The old Town Hall has
become the Jakarta Museum and displays such items
as Indonesia's old historical documents and Dutch
period furniture. Its tower clock was send back to
England to be repaired under its lifetime
guarantee which up to now has already well
exceeded a hundred years.
The
old Portuguese Church and warehouses have been
rehabilitated into living museums. The National
(Central) Museum on Merdeka Square West is reputed
to be one of the finest in Southeast Asia, full of
wondrous artifacts and its collection of antique
Chinese porcelain - acquired by Indonesian
centuries ago as items of trade - is especially renowned.
Opposite the museum, in the center of Merdeka
(Freedom) Square, stands the Museum of National
History in the basement of the National Monument.
The
gallery just below the gold-gilded flame offers a
splendid bird's eye view of Jakarta. Being
inhabited by all ethnic groups in Indonesia,
Jakarta offers also divers exotic cultural
attractions as well, its reflection can be seen at
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) meaning
Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park.
And
very few people realize that Jakarta also offers
marine and eco-tourism attractions. One of the
most popular spots for residents is the Taman
Ismail Marzuki, a cluster of theatres and
exhibition halls which make up the Jakarta Art
Centre.
Whether
international attractions or the best of
Indonesia's artists performing, there is always
something happening at the Art Centre. And, of
course, for pure relaxation and leisure, there is
the Ancol Dreamland Recreation Park with its
collection of parks, oceanarium, lagoons, swimming
pools, night spots, hotels and an interesting art
market.
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