Dec 25 2008
Indonesia: Java Island and Its Beauty
Overview
Java sweet, unlike any other country in the world. Heir to an art and history that interfere with the supernatural like its temples (Borobudur, Prambanan …) designed as microcosms, this island is reflected in a landscape of rice fields dominated by a hundred volcanic cones, all benefactors destructeurs.Volcans in that activity, lunar landscapes, human activities Dante, fauna and flora are extraordinary every day to go, and you’ll be aware of the power of nature at the foot of the volcano Merapi, the most active Bromo volcano, one of the most aesthetic, and in the lair of the crater of Kawah Ijen, the sulfur! …
Capitals: Jakarta, Serang, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya
Area 132 187 km2
Population 115 million inhabitants.
GMT + 7h
Geography
Superb tea plantations in the western part of the island and lush forests that cover the sides of volcanoes; magnificence of Yogyakarta, a true cultural capital, dominated by the intriguing Merapi volcano, the lunar landscape aesthetic very volcanoes to the east … These are the main landscape that suggests the island of Java, rich also many ethnic groups, including the Betawi in Jakarta, the Badui and Sundanese of West Java, the Javanese, who live in central and east of Island and the famous Tengger in the region of Mt Bromo.
Climate
Located between the 6th and 8th parallel south, Java is undergoing an equatorial climate hot and humid throughout the year, tempered by the Java Sea in the north and south Indian Ocean. Temperatures range from 27 ° C and 32 ° C depending on the season and altitude. The dry monsoon (April to October) and the wet monsoon (November to March) will actually succeed, but West Java is the most humid Java. Temperatures can also be very fresh to the tops of volcanoes. The rains usually result from storms of short duration, but sometimes violent, which broke in mid or late afternoon.
Religion
Java is predominantly Muslim, but all religions are everywhere. Javanese Islam is by nature very syncretic, ie tinged with reminiscences Hindu Buddhists or animists. Primarily adherents of Sunni Islam practiced by the Javanese is very tolerant towards minorities spiritual, such as Catholicism and Protestantism (very present in Central Java and around Yogyakarta) and the Buddhism (practiced by Indonesians of Chinese origin) and Hinduism (region of Mt Bromo).
Economy
Economic lung of Indonesia, Java includes the main industries (generally concentrated around major hubs such as Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya), but depends on other islands as natural resources (oil, gas, gold, etc. .. .). Bandung is known for example as a textile capital, while Yogyakarta is rather famous for its teak furniture and crafts. The tourism sector is no exception, since Java is exceptionally rich in historical, cultural and artistic.
Culture
Very early subject of migration, Java is quickly becoming a crossroads of civilizations, including those radiating from India and China, and adopted the Hindu religion, despite a Buddhist interlude to the eighth century (time of construction of the sanctuary of Borobudur) . Java states for the first time its supremacy over the rest of the archipelago at the height of the Empire Mojopahit (XIV century), whose decline, a century later, coincides with the expansion of Islam. This time, however, remains in the collective imagination, the symbol of splendor Javanaise, and that is why today we find many references to the Ramayana and Mahabarata, the two famous Hindu epics, art Batik & dances to traditional music, from the names of large local companies, such Garuda Indonesia, the national airline.
To do and see
Because of its cultural and economic hegemony, Java is unavoidable, even if tourism is more developed in Bali. The major counters such as ports Jakarta (former Batavia), Cirebon, Semarang and Surabaya harbor few splendors of colonial architecture. Bandung, it has long been regarded as “The Paris of Java” and remains famous for hosting the first conference of Non-Aligned Countries. The visit of West Java, however, is recommended for the luxuriance of its nature and its beautiful tea plantations, including its volcanoes including the famous Mt Krakatoa.
The crossing of Java can be such train, and one of the important steps is obviously Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of the island, whose traditions are carefully developed by the current Sultan. Yogyakarta is a city in which to live and visit the old districts are required: the Kraton (palace of the Sultan), built in 1756, the Taman Sari (or Garden of Pleasure), the bird with songbirds hung on top of huge masts, as well as puppet workshops and batik (dyeing process of fabric). And then, no one can leave Yogya without taking the pulse of the avenue Malioboro, the main artery of the city.
The sanctuary of Borobudur Buddhist and Hindu temple of Prambanan, both contained on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also “inevitable”.
A little further east, Surakarta (Solo or) is also very interesting for its batik, its culture and antiquities market. Then, on the road to Bali, the traveler will make other stops at Mt Bromo, one of the most aesthetic volcanoes of Java, and Kawah Ijen, famous for its sulfur convicts “.
The most athletic or the most foolhardy welcomes against easy access to some of the most fascinating volcanoes such as Krakatoa Mts, Gede, Slamet, Merapi, Semeru (the highest Java) & Raung, as well as a few nature reserves known for their endemic fauna and flora (Ujun Kulon, Pangandaran, Meru Betir & Baluran).
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Hi I bumped into your page! I am Indonesian and I have been to Jogja many times. and I love there! thanks for the great travel site.