Jakarta-Indonesia's bustling capital, and home to over 8 million people (although estimates do vary greatly) dates back to the fifth century AD. The first confirmed record of inhabitants in the area comes from Tugu inscription which refers to a community ot the Tarumanegara kingdom living along the coast near what later become known as Sunda Kelapa. The cit
y was officially founded in 1527, when the harbour town of Sunda Kelapa was renamed Jayakarta (meaning great victory) by the conquering prince Fatahilah. Less than hundred years later the Dutch East Indies company began to establish trading operations in the area with the permission of fatahilah. Building warehouses and forts, the Dutch consilidated their position until war broke out between Britain and Holland. On May 30, 1619, Dutch forces mustering at Onrust island in the Jakarta Bay, launched an all-out attack on the port. Consequently, Jayakarta was completely destroyed, taken over and renamed Batavia. Dutch colonial control continued until World War II when Japanese accupying forces took over. At the and of the war with Indonesian declaration of Merdeka or Independance, the city's name was finally changed to Jakarta.
Today Jakarta is a modern cosmopolitan melting pot of old and new and reflects its vast history and diverse influences in its people, cultures and architecture-hailing from the far-flung corners of the archipelago. Jakartans comprise 300 different ethnic groups speaking at
least 200 different languages, not to mention influences from other ethnic groups such as Arab, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch among others. From the Stadhuis and other Dutch colonial buildings in the old district of Kota, to Chinese temples in the maze of back alleys and markets around Glodok, to the soaring dome of Southeast Asia's largest mosque, istiqlal, and the skyscraping tower in the central business district, Jakarta's skyline is as varied as it is fascinating.
For tourists, Jakarta offers a treasure trove of attractions, shopping, museums, golf, fine dining and nightlife that have made it one of Southeast Asia's best-kept secrets. An economic boom in mid-nineties les to the construction of dozens of first-class hotels, some of which are rated as the best in the region-good news for business travellers to the capital who can have their pick of Jakatra's 20,000 hotel rooms at cut-price rates.
Another highlight of any trip to Jakarta is the food. The city offers a fantastic range of restaurants with every type of cuisine from Brazilian to Turkish to Korean, an
d everything in between. Some of the finest restaurants are to be found in the city's superlative hotels, with a sprinkling of excellent independent restaurants. For seeker of the fine-dining agood place to start in the area of Kemang in south Jakarta which boasts the highest density of restaurants and cafes in the city. However great restaurants can be found just about anywhere. With the aid of dining guide such as "Jakarta Dining" the city is your oyster.
The accompanying map and listing is not meant as an in-depth or definitive guide to the city. Hopefully it will give unfamiliar visitors an overview of the city and some of the delights on offer. If in doubt, consult the concierge or front desk at your hotel.
y was officially founded in 1527, when the harbour town of Sunda Kelapa was renamed Jayakarta (meaning great victory) by the conquering prince Fatahilah. Less than hundred years later the Dutch East Indies company began to establish trading operations in the area with the permission of fatahilah. Building warehouses and forts, the Dutch consilidated their position until war broke out between Britain and Holland. On May 30, 1619, Dutch forces mustering at Onrust island in the Jakarta Bay, launched an all-out attack on the port. Consequently, Jayakarta was completely destroyed, taken over and renamed Batavia. Dutch colonial control continued until World War II when Japanese accupying forces took over. At the and of the war with Indonesian declaration of Merdeka or Independance, the city's name was finally changed to Jakarta.Today Jakarta is a modern cosmopolitan melting pot of old and new and reflects its vast history and diverse influences in its people, cultures and architecture-hailing from the far-flung corners of the archipelago. Jakartans comprise 300 different ethnic groups speaking at
least 200 different languages, not to mention influences from other ethnic groups such as Arab, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch among others. From the Stadhuis and other Dutch colonial buildings in the old district of Kota, to Chinese temples in the maze of back alleys and markets around Glodok, to the soaring dome of Southeast Asia's largest mosque, istiqlal, and the skyscraping tower in the central business district, Jakarta's skyline is as varied as it is fascinating.For tourists, Jakarta offers a treasure trove of attractions, shopping, museums, golf, fine dining and nightlife that have made it one of Southeast Asia's best-kept secrets. An economic boom in mid-nineties les to the construction of dozens of first-class hotels, some of which are rated as the best in the region-good news for business travellers to the capital who can have their pick of Jakatra's 20,000 hotel rooms at cut-price rates.
Another highlight of any trip to Jakarta is the food. The city offers a fantastic range of restaurants with every type of cuisine from Brazilian to Turkish to Korean, an
d everything in between. Some of the finest restaurants are to be found in the city's superlative hotels, with a sprinkling of excellent independent restaurants. For seeker of the fine-dining agood place to start in the area of Kemang in south Jakarta which boasts the highest density of restaurants and cafes in the city. However great restaurants can be found just about anywhere. With the aid of dining guide such as "Jakarta Dining" the city is your oyster.The accompanying map and listing is not meant as an in-depth or definitive guide to the city. Hopefully it will give unfamiliar visitors an overview of the city and some of the delights on offer. If in doubt, consult the concierge or front desk at your hotel.
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