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Yogyakarta (which is often spelled and called in different ways such as
Jogjakarta, Yogya, or Jogja for short) is Indonesia in miniature. When
visitors come to inhale the air of Yogyakarta, they feel like they have
lived. Yogyakarta has been best described as a "Never Ending Asia",
"Java's cultural heart", the "soul city of Java",
or "planted in the fertile heartland of Central Java, (it is) the
cradle of great Javanese empires... the capital of ancient kingdoms, medieval
empires and modern revolution and an engaging melange of style and moods."
Whatever Yogyakarta is, or aims to be, this fascinating city with its
surrounding jungles, rice fields and mountains lies in the heart of
Indonesia's most important ancient empires. In Yogyakarta itself you
can visit the impressive Sultan's Palace (the Kraton) under the watchful,
but friendly eyes, of a hundred palace guards in their traditional and
distinctive uniforms []. You can tour its bustling markets and avenues
and purchase arts and crafts created by Java's finest craftsmen and
painters. Once you've seen enough of modern Java, you can then head
for the countryside and marvel at some of ancient Asia's grandest wonder
- the great 8th to 10th century Hindu and Buddhist temples of Prambanan,
Borobudur and their subsidiary candis (temple) and shrines that dot
the Javanese countryside. Yogyakarta is a place where nothing is learned
until it is experienced. |
Geographic Details of Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, DIY) is officially
one of Indonesia's 32 provinces. It is located in the center of the island
of Java, bordered on the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the north by
a chain of volcanoes of which meeting Merapi, some 27 kms away, can be seen
as a dramatic background to the city skyline.
Yogyakarta Special Region is geographically located almost equidistant
from Indonesia's two most important international gateways, about 600
kms from Jakarta and 1000 kms from Bali. Yogyakarta also has excellent
transport connections by bus, train or plane to the rest of Java, Sumatera,
Bali & Lombok.
Yogyakarta's Adisucipto Airport is in the process of changing its status
in order to receive not only domestics flights from Bali and Jakarta,
but also direct charter and scheduled flights from other countries.
Climate and Weather in Yogyakarta
The average daily temperature range between 26 degree and 28 degree
Celsius with its minimum 18 degree C and maximum 35 degree C respectively.
Average humidity is 74% with its minimum of 65% and maximum 84% respectively.
The Yogyakarta Special Region lies approximately 7 South of the equator
line and is bathed in tropical; sunshine along the year. Having a tropic
climate the daily atmosphere feels a little bit hot and humid. These
are only two seasons along the year, the wet or rainy seasons and dry
monsoon. Usually the wet seasons begin at September and lasts about
August. Generally there is no rainfalls from may to August and there
fore the atmosphere feels hot and humid on the day and cool in the night
and early morning. The monthly rain falling Yogyakarta varies between
3mm and 496mm in which those above 300mm take place during the month
of January up to April. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs in February
while the lowest commonly happens between May and October Average annually
rainfall is about 1,900mm.
History of Yogyakarta
People have lived in Central Java and the Yogyakarta area since time
immemorial as over the centuries they have been attracted by the rich
soil caused by the numerous volcanic eruptions. Earliest recorded history
dares from the 9th century and was dominated by Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms
that gave rise to the magnificent temples such as Prambanan, Ratu Boko,
Kalasan, Sambisari and Borobudur found in this area.
Yogyakarta itself dates back to the 18th century. In the early 18th
century, the Muslim Mataram Kingdom of the time was ruled by Pakubuwono
II. After he passed away, there was a conflict between his son and his
brother which was encouraged by the Dutch who were trying to colonize
the region on a 'divide and rule' basis.
The Kingdom was divided into two regions namely Surakarta Hadiningrat
kingdom under the rule of Sunan Pakubuwono III, and Nyayogyakarta Hadiningrat
kingdom under the rule of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. He was the founder
of the present line of Sultans who still live in the Kraton and play
important role in Javanese culture. The second kingdom was later called
Yogyakarta, now better known as Yogyakarta.
After the independence of the Republic of Indonesia was proclaimed,
Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Sri Paku Alam VIII launched a statement
that the Kasultanan and Kadipaten (the two royal regions), belonged
to the Republic of Indonesia as a part of the whole area of the Indonesia
Republic. Since then, it has been known as Yogyakarta Special Region
and was given provincial status in 1950 in recognition of its important
role in the fight for independence.
Culture of Yogyakarta
As the former capital and the center of several kingdoms in the past,
Yogyakarta and its people are very rich in its cultural heritage. Civilization,
art and culture had developed respectively in the era of the ancient
Mataram Kingdom (17th - 18th century), and the Sultanate Ngayogyakarto
from the mid of 18th century up to today. It should be noted that the
cultural heritage from the past includes the magnificent temples, the
ruins of palaces and monasteries, the various kind of traditions, cultural
events, traditional folk [] and performing arts, architecture and other
traditional activities
It is important to note that this is all part of the living culture
of Yogyakarta and color of daily activities of live and behavior of
the local inhabitants, particularly the Javanese community with its
traditional way of life and customs []. Therefore, because of its culture
richness and heritage, Yogyakarta has long been known as the cradle
of Javanese culture
.
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