The nation’s capital, Jakarta has a remarkable history as a trading center founded on the site of the ancient pepper trading port of Sunda Kelapa more than four and half centuries ago, but its actual founding dates back to the year 1527, when it was named Jayakarta by Fatahillah of the neighboring Sultanate of Banten. The name Jayakarta Means “City of Great Victory”. During the 17th century it served as the capital of Dutch East Indies with the name Batavia. Reminders of this period can still be seen today in the architecture of some of the northern parts of the city. When Indonesian independence was finally secured it was renamed Jakarta, and served today as the centre of government, business and industry, spreading over an area of more than 650 sq km (410 sq miles).

Now the city of Jakarta is a vibrant commercial center drawing together peoples from all over the vast Indonesian archipelago. Jakarta is the port of entry for many tourists and business people. It is home to a dynamic contrast between Western-style skyscrapers, modern urban lifestyles and traditional Indonesian culture. Its rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation. The key of enjoying Jakarta is not to fight the city’s pace and size, its heat, humidity and crowds, but to accept them. It’s worth it, for the city has plenty to offer.

Jakarta’s architecture reflects the history of outside influences which came and left their mark on this vital seaport city. The Taman Fatahillah Restoration Project, begun in the early 1970’s, has restored one of the oldest section of Jakarta, known as Old Batavia or Kota, to one of the most picturesque areas of the entire city. An Old Portuguese Church and warehouse have been reincarnated as living museum. The old Supreme Court building is now the National Museum of fine Arts and houses part of superb Chinese porcelain collection of former Vice-President Adam Malik. The old Town Hall has become the Jakarta Museum, displaying such rare items as old Indonesia in historical documents and Dutch period furniture.

As Indonesia’s main gateway, Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport is the central transportation hub of Indonesia. It serves a growing number of international airlines and is the nexus point for domestic flight across the vast expanse of the archipelago. Local transport of all form within the city is readily available.