The mystery of the island of Java: interesting and useful information for tourists. Java island on the world map

Main Indonesian island- it has 120 million inhabitants, 120 active volcanoes and at least one wonder of the world. Java changed rulers and religions like gloves. History looks at the tourist here from all sides: in the form of grandiose ruins Hindu temple Prambanan, the smiling stone Buddhas of the grand Borobudur stupa, royal palace in Yogyakarta, ancient mosques and Dutch armories.

The island of Java has dense tropical vegetation, crystal clear ocean waters, temples of unprecedented beauty, a somewhat difficult climate and... various disasters are not uncommon. The island of Java has long been known for its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. If we take into account the size of the island of Java and divide its territory into approximately one hundred and twenty parts (the approximate number of volcanoes on the island), then we can confidently say that main island Indonesia - Java is completely strewn with volcanoes. In addition, many of the volcanoes of the island of Java (there are over thirty of them) emit acrid smoke and smog, often stretching for several hundred kilometers. The peaks of the volcanoes, close to purple in color, emit tons of gray-black ash and toxic gas vapors. All this boiling “hell” sometimes descends on villages, washing away and taking them with it from the face of the earth. And the hot dust burns the lungs even at a distance of tens of kilometers from the eruption site.

The most active current volcano in Indonesia is Merapi, on the island of Java. It was not for nothing that thousands of local residents of the island of Java in 2006 managed to collect their belongings and livestock in time and wait out the moment of volcanic activity away from the volcano.

In Java, incredible luxury coexists with appalling poverty, pastoral rural landscapes coexist with ultra-modern megacities, corners of the pristine jungle coexist with rice fields. Holidays on the island of Java can combine walks through bustling cities and hikes in the jungle.

And, despite the fact that the “wrath of the Gods” sometimes falls on the island of Java, Java is still called paradise. All the volcanic ash that covers the earth, the monsoon showers that then irrigate it, the sun that nourishes the earth with its warmth - all this contributes to the growth of lush, rich vegetation on the island. Not so long ago in the bright thickets tropical forests There were tigers, rhinoceroses, wild buffalos, crocodiles, pythons, monkeys screeching, coconut squirrels jumping and flying foxes. But now there is no such abundance anymore. Although some things can still be seen on the island of Java.

The island of Java is simply a real priceless treasure for nature lovers, for people interested in culture, religion, and linguistics. After all, the volcanoes of the island of Java are not all that this region is rich in. On the island there are nature reserves with rare animals and tropical forests untouched by humans. Also, the Javanese language is of great interest. It is an ancient branch of the Austronesian group of languages. His vocabulary includes many words borrowed from the languages ​​of different countries and peoples - Dutch, Indian, Arabic, Portuguese, Malay and English.

The temples of the island of Java are truly beautiful. But they are of other religions - Hindu, Buddhist. And the Javanese, unfortunately, have not practiced them for a long time. Today, the temples of Java are simply museums and memorials. Locals They are very rare. Today they look down on them, considering their religion more, so to speak, advanced. So, without tourists they look completely lonely and forgotten. The only thing that sometimes walks around the nearby island of Java are the local goats in search of tasty grass and bushes.

The island of Java is the administrative, cultural, historical and political center of the country; it is here that the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, is located, the famous volcanoes Krakatoa and Mont Bromo, the Ujung Kulon National Reserve with Javan rhinoceroses, and the oldest cultural center of the country - the city of Yogyakarta, famous for its universities, art galleries, craft workshops, and, of course, the grandiose temple complexes of Prambanan and Borobudur.

The city of Surabaya is also located here - an industrialized city, the second largest in Indonesia, located in the eastern part of the island of Java. There is a large one here seaport, the country's metalworking and machine-building enterprises, as well as oil refineries and chemical plants, are concentrated.

How to get there

Flights from major international airlines fly to Jakarta, the capital of Java. The most convenient flights from Moscow are Singapore Airlines via Singapore, or Transaero + Garuda. The flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta or Surabaya is 1 hour 10 minutes.

Population

Java is the most populated island in the world, with about 125 million people, 60% of Indonesia's population.

Location

The island of Java is the economic and geographical heart of the archipelago, Indonesia's most populated island, but a third of its territory is still occupied by impenetrable jungle.

Java is separated from the island of Sumatra by the Sunda Bay. There are at least 16 peaks in Java whose height reaches 3000m. Active volcanoes (and there are about 17 of them) united in Java into the most active volcanic chain in the world. Semerenu, the main giant among all the volcanoes of Java, erupts most often.

The territory of Java is divided into three provinces: western, eastern and central. West Java attracts tourists ancient capital Sundanese Cirebon, a gorgeous beach in Pandaran, famous volcano Krakatoa, the virgin jungle of the national park and the Bogor Botanical Garden, which contains the most diverse and bizarre forms of equatorial flora.

In Central Java you can see material traces of various cultures and peoples: temples and ancient buildings, ancient capitals of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim kingdoms, modern centers of Yogyakarta and Solo. But even here, in the central regions of the Dieng plateau, areas of virgin nature have been preserved

Climate

Tropical climate with fairly even temperatures throughout the year: 28-32°C. Climatic conditions differ from island to island, but in general two seasons can be distinguished: rainy - from November to February and dry - from March to October. Humidity is quite high, averaging from 75 to 95%.

History of the city

Since ancient times, the island has been a “melting pot” in which various peoples, cultures and religions mixed. In the Middle Ages, the island was divided into dozens of kingdoms and sultanates. Descriptions of the wars between them make up most of the content of Indonesian history textbooks. In between wars, the Javanese built grandiose temples and palaces, created unique forms of theater and music, and developed literature.

Attractions

Jakarta(until 1949 - Batavia) - the capital and the most big city Indonesia, located on the northwestern coast of Java. This is a city of an original mixture of numerous buildings of the 17th-18th centuries, canals and many “national” quarters, each of which has its own unique appearance. One of the centers of old Batavia is the stone-paved square of Taman Fatahila in the Kota district, surrounded by old buildings overlooking the banks of the canal. Nearby are: the Jakarta Historical Museum in the building of the former city hall (1627), the ancient cannon "Si Yago", the museum of dolls and ritual accessories "Wayang", the Chicken Market Bridge drawbridge (XVII century), the Bahari Museum observation tower, the ancient port of Sunda Kelapa and the Chinese district of Glodak with the oldest temple in the city - Jine Yuan (XVII century). The second recognized center of the capital is Medan Merdeka Square (Freedom Square) with the 132-meter National Monument (Monas), the National Museum of Indonesia with unique historical and ethnological collections, the Museum of National History and the Museum of the Institute of Indonesian Culture and many others. historical monuments. Also, at your leisure, you can visit the Taman Mini park (“Indonesia in miniature”), where traditional dwellings are presented (life-size with all interior details preserved), characteristic of all 27 provinces of Indonesia; Taman Impian Jaya Ancol Park (Anchol Dream Park) - an amusement park with many attractions: water slides, cars, roller coasters and much more; Taman Safari - a safari park in the suburbs of Jakarta will allow you to see in close proximity the Sumatran tiger, llamas, bulls, giraffes, bears and other animals from America, Europe and Asia.

It is considered the third largest Buddhist-Hindu temple complex in the world, behind Angkor in Cambodia and the Burmese Shwedagon. It is believed that if you can touch the little finger of the Buddha located in the mortar by reaching through one of the carved holes, then good luck awaits you.

The temple complex is located on a plain dotted with the ruins of ancient buildings and known among local residents as the “Valley of the Kings.” Prambanan is considered the most exquisite of Indonesian historical monuments. The largest temple building, located in the center, is dedicated to the god Shiva.

Kraton- the Sultan's palace complex, which the Javanese call the “navel” of the world. The palace was for them the center not only of the sultanate, but of the entire Universe. It contains the personal chambers of the Sultan and his family members, a repository of royal regalia, a majestic throne room, chambers for contemplation, pavilions for performances, and a mosque.

From Jakarta, it is best to escape to neighboring (55 km) tranquil Bogor, famous throughout the island for its impressive botanical garden. An hour's train ride from the metropolis - and you are in the former summer residence of Dutch and British rulers. It’s cool and quiet here, rooms in hotels and guest houses are much cheaper, and if you’re lucky, they also have a gorgeous view of the mountain valley. Locals call Bogor “the city of rain”, and indeed, it is guaranteed to rain in the afternoon, so strolling through the garden is best done on a cool morning. The Botanical Garden has trees that look like bell-bottoms, an orchid garden, a Mexican garden and other natural “installations”. In the neighboring royal park deer wander. Idyll.

Java ("Jawa" in Indonesian) is Indonesia's fifth largest island, home to more than half the country's population. Much of Indonesian history is inextricably linked with this island, where powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, Islamic sultanates and the colonial center of the Dutch East India Company were founded. Java played a decisive role in the Indonesian struggle for independence in the 1940s. Today the island occupies a dominant position in the political, economic and cultural life of the country. The capital of the state is Jakarta (the most large city Indonesia) is also located on this island.

Yogyakarta - popular tourist city in Indonesia, preserving the pure Javanese language and rich folk traditions.

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, the cultural, political, financial and industrial center of the country. The capital of Indonesia, of course, cannot be considered popular tourist destination, but there is good museums, small in area Old town has retained its architecture and atmosphere with an interesting look at the city's long history.

Java Island: photos

Java Island: where is it located?

Covering approximately 150,000 km2 of territory, Java is the 13th largest island in the world and the 5th largest in Indonesia. The length from east to west is 1064 km, the maximum width is up to 210 km. The island is surrounded by the Java Sea in the north, the Sunda Strait in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Bali Strait in the east. To the west lies the island of Sumatra, Bali to the east. Borneo is in the north and Christmas Island is in the south.

Java Island: how to get there

You can fly to the island by plane; there are quite a lot of major airports, receiving both local and international flights- in Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Surabaya, Solo and Yogyakarta. Flights of local Garuda, Merpati and Lion Air regularly land here, as well as AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, JAL, etc. The most convenient way to arrive from Moscow is by regular flight via Dubai.

central stupa

Prambanan

18 km east of Yogyakarta there is another unique temple complex- Prambanan. It is assumed that this Buddhist shrine was built in the 10th century. In the first half of the last century, restoration was carried out through the efforts of Dutch scientists. Particularly popular among tourists is the Prambanan Temple - a 47 m high structure consisting of four tiers made in the form of concentric square platforms.

There are smaller temples around. The walls of the temples are decorated with bas-reliefs based on scenes from the Ramayana. A visit to the Prambanan complex for foreigners is paid - $15. A beautiful green alley leads to the complex. Although the main stage of restoration has been completed, there are piles of stones everywhere. Excavations and restoration continue.

Surabaya

In the east of Java is Surabaya, one of the main ports of Indonesia, the second largest city.

For most tourists, it is a “transshipment point” on the way to Sulawesi and the island of Bali. However, Sarabai has its merits. Here you can experience a charming mixture of antiquity and modernity. Masjid al Akbar Surabaya deserves attention - a majestic mosque in the Arab quarter, the height of which is 65 m. Taking the elevator to its upper part, you can admire Surabaya from a bird's eye view.

The Suramadu Suspension Bridge, which connects Fr. Java with o. Madura. Its length is 5.5 km, width – 32 m, height – 35 m.

Volcanoes

Human nature is such that danger frightens and fascinates at the same time. Indonesia's volcanoes attract a huge number of tourists who want to see the natural beauty and power active volcanoes. On about. Java has more than 35 active volcanoes, and the island itself is also of volcanic origin. Each of them is famous for something: Merapi for activity, Semeru for heights, Krakatoa for destruction, Kawa Ijen for sulfur lake, Tangkuban - accessibility.

In the east of. Java is home to the beautiful Bromo Volcano, one of the most active in the world and the most visited in Indonesia. The formidable volcano, whose height is 2329 m, amid a surreal alien landscape, occasionally releases clouds of smoke. Tourists come here to watch the sunrise in order to look at the miracle of nature in the early morning.

Volcano Bromo

The next in the popularity ranking is the Kawah Ijen volcano, height 2400 m. It became famous for its unique emerald lake located inside the crater - the largest acid lake in the world, containing sulfuric acid instead of water. During the daytime, a white haze swirls above it, and at night, tongues of blue flame appear.

Sulfur collectors work in the crater of the volcano, extracting pieces of sulfur on the shores of the lake in very harmful and dangerous conditions. The temperature on the surface of the lake is about 60 °C, and at its bottom – 200 °C. Despite its unusual and frightening beauty, the crater of the Kawa Ijen volcano and the lake are used not so much to attract tourists as to extract sulfur. In this case, inhumanly hard manual labor is used.

The active volcano Tangkuban is a popular tourist site. Perhaps its popularity was facilitated by its easy accessibility - the top of Tangkuban can be reached by car along a specially built convenient road. The height of the volcano is 2000 m, its basin looks like an overturned boat, as the name suggests - Tangkuban Prau.

The main crater is a constant reminder of activity, emitting volcanic gases. The relatively small lower crater is filled with hot springs and steam. Tourists can walk around the main crater of the Tangkuban volcano and see it from all sides. The ubiquitous merchants here sell souvenirs and pieces of sulfur from trays.

Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung-Kulon is located in the southwest of the island. Java. It includes the Ujung-Kulon Peninsula, as well as a group of islands of volcanic origin, Krakatoa. A third of the park is occupied by the sea. The places here are very picturesque, especially on the part of the land where unique low-mountain tropical forests grow.

The flora and fauna of Ujung Kulon are well preserved due to the fact that the surviving inhabitants left the area after the Krakatoa eruption that occurred in 1883. Since then, the volcano has become significantly lower. Several years ago, 6 km from this place, a young volcano became active, and smoke smokes above it from time to time. In Ujung-Kulon Park there are rare species animals, in particular Javan rhinoceroses.

Entrance tickets to Ujung Kulon are sold at the office, which is located near the village of Taman Jaya. Here you can rent a boat and hire a guide. You can sunbathe on luxurious beaches or implement hiking to the jungle to look at the rich natural world Ujung-Pendant. The best option is a three-day trek through the park to explore the area. Organized more individual tours– recreation with fishing, snorkeling and spearfishing in the coastal waters of Ujung-Kulon. Tourists have at their disposal a boat with a crew and Russian guides.

Karimunjawa Archipelago

To the north of central Java in the Java Sea is the Karimunjawa Archipelago, which is a marine national park in Indonesia. Its main attraction is pristine nature with coral reefs and deserted white beaches. The unique archipelago includes 27 islands, of which only 5 are inhabited. People like to visit the islands of the Karimunjawa archipelago for the purpose of resort holiday wealthy people in Indonesia.

The archipelago is popular among surfing and diving enthusiasts. Coral reefs are located right off the coast of inhabited islands, so novice drivers do not need to rent a boat. All they need is a mask and a snorkel to explore the coastal bottom right from the beach. More experienced scuba divers go to uninhabited islands Karimunjawa archipelago as part of excursions, or by agreeing with fishermen to rent a boat. The underwater world in the Java Sea is very diverse. There are 250 species of fish and about 90 varieties of corals.

Most big island has the same name as the archipelago - Karimunjawa, but the abbreviated name Karimun is more often used. It has main city Karimun, which is the capital of the entire Karimunjawa archipelago. From this port city in a northern direction there is a road ending with a bridge. Long Bridge connects the main island with the neighboring one, which is called Kemujan. On these two islands there are campsites, hotels, dive centers, restaurants, and boat rentals. By renting a boat for $40, you can travel around several deserted neighboring islands in one day.

Landscape o. Karimun is represented by green hills covered with tropical forests. There are over 30 species of mangrove trees alone. The islanders especially revere a rare breed - the Devadaru. They believe that an amulet made from this tree prolongs life, protects the house, and cures snake bites. Amulets and other items from Devadaru are the most popular souvenirs that tourists bring from Karimunjawa.

Beaches o. Karimun are quiet and secluded. The free Nirvana Beach is located near the town of Karimun. It looks very beautiful - palm trees near the shore, snow-white sand, turquoise water, but swimming here is problematic. The shore is very shallow and there are corals in the water. At Tanjung Gelam Beach, located 30 minutes by bike from the main city of the Karimunjawa archipelago, swimming is much more comfortable, and the nature is no less delightful. Entrance fee is 1 thousand rupees, there are warungs with Indonesian food. The most beautiful beach The island is considered Pantai Anora.

The Karimunjawa archipelago has its own airport on the island. Karimun, where small planes fly several times a week from Semarang, a port city (northern coast of Java). From here you can take a speedboat to the islands of Karimuna and Kemujan. It is better to come to the islands of the archipelago during the dry season, which here lasts from late April to October. Public transport no, so it's better to rent a scooter.

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Java considered one of the largest and most famous islands. This picturesque stretch of land is about 1000 km long, has a rich history, an impressive number of cultural attractions, incredible natural beauty, many temples and shrines, as well as more than a hundred majestic volcanoes stretching along the coast in an unbroken line.

Peculiarities

According to its administrative structure, the island is divided into 6 provinces, including Banten, West, Central and East Java, as well as Jakarta and Yogyakarta, which have the status of districts. Each of them is formed from cities and settlements, and the main administrative center of the island is the capital of the entire country - the city. The main industry areas here are industry, agriculture and tourism, which brings significant profits to the treasury of the entire state. One of the symbols of Java is coffee – Kopi Luwak, grown on local plantations.

In total, about 30% of the entire surface of the island is covered with jungle, which in many ways serves as a reason for lovers of eco-tourism to come here to enjoy the beauty of the tropical forest, making an exciting journey through hiking trails to its most mysterious corners. Java is also extremely popular among fans of diving, plunging into the waters of the Java Sea on one side and the abyss Indian Ocean, on the other hand, in order to admire the diversity of the underwater world of these places. Ethnic composition The population here is quite diverse and is formed from a number of nationalities, including Banten, Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese and representatives of other countries and races. Islam is the dominant religion, although there are also adherents of other religious faiths, including Christians, admirers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism and other beliefs. Common languages ​​include Javanese, Madurese, Indonesian, Sundanese and English.

General information

The area of ​​Java is 132 thousand square meters. km, with a population of about 140 million people. In terms of population, the island confidently ranks first in the world. Its highest point is 3676 meters above sea level. Time is 4-5 hours ahead of Moscow, depending on the specific location of a particular city. Time zone UTC+7, UTC+8. Indonesia does not switch to daylight saving time.

A brief excursion into history

During the Middle Ages, Java played an important role in the political, cultural and religious life of Indonesia. From 1293 to the beginning of the 16th century, the Majapahit Empire existed here, during whose reign the country achieved its greatest prosperity. After its collapse, the Demak Sultanate became the most powerful state on the island, and in the 17th century, Dutch colonization began, during which the Batavia district arose, later renamed Jakarta. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the islanders began an active struggle for the independence of Indonesia, which ended with the proclamation of this status in 1945, after the surrender of Japan.

Climate

Java has a humid tropical climate with two distinct seasons. It rains from November to February, and the rest of the year is dominated by dry, sunny weather. The air temperature is not subject to major changes and throughout the entire 12 months fluctuates between +26 - +32 degrees. You can come here at any time, and only an earthquake or a volcanic eruption can interfere with a pleasant holiday, which, however, is not so uncommon here.

How to get there

Major airports receiving flights from other parts and countries of the world are located in several cities on the island, including Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang, Solo and Yogyakarta. From here the most convenient flight is with a transfer to. Ferries travel across the waters to the ports of Jakarta, Banten, Surabaya and East Java.

Transport

Within the island, the most common means of transportation is buses. In addition, there is a good railway connection here. Renting a car is frankly cheap, but tourists are not recommended to drive on the local roads on their own, due to the peculiarities of the traffic rules and their interpretation by local drivers.

Main cities

Stolichnaya, home to over 9 million people, serves as the most important economic, industrial and cultural center all over Indonesia. This colorful city is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Java and, possessing a lot of interesting attractions, combines luxury and poverty, wealth and poverty. The glamorous skyscrapers of the center contrast sharply with the dilapidated slums on the outskirts, and the well-groomed and neat courtyards of elite mansions do not fit in with the dirty streets where the asphalt has not been changed for several decades. Due to its low location relative to sea level, the city is prone to floods, which, however, does not yet have too much of an impact on its hectic life, which does not subside day or night. There are many museums, palaces, temples, mosques, as well as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and entertainment venues. There are parks, there are National Gallery arts, planetarium, zoo, a number of sports facilities.

One of best places for a holiday in Java, the city of Bogor is considered, where stand out presidential palace Soekarno with the Zoological Museum and the world famous Kebun Raya Botanical Garden, with many exotic plants. The second largest city in the country, after Jakarta, is an important industrial center of Surabaya, in and around which there are the Baluran and Meru Metiri nature reserves, as well as active volcano Bromo, rising 2400 meters above sea level. In the area mountain resort Bandung's attractions include the Tangkuban Phraya volcano and Lake Situpatenngang. The city of Yogyakarta, which has unique architectural attractions, is of quite great tourist interest. Among others major cities we can highlight Cirebon and Serang in Banten. There are many other interesting cities and towns on the island, each of which has its own history.

Beaches

The coast of Java abounds sandy beaches, but not all of them are suitable for swimming. In the western part of the island, not far from the city of Bandung, there are the beaches of Karang Bolong and Anyer, characterized by a gentle entrance to the water and marvelous landscapes. On the same side of the island is the resort village of Pagandaran, with rich flora and fauna. There are good beaches in the east and in the Yogyakarta region, but the metropolitan area is not very good for beach pleasures due to the increased pollution of the coastline.

Attractions and entertainment

One of the main architectural structures of Java is the Buddhist stupa Borobudur, which is the most important element of the entire temple complex surrounding the shrine. This place is included in the list of the brightest architectural and historical monuments of UNESCO and belongs to the world heritage sites. An impressive share of other interesting attractions are located in the capital Jakarta. National quarters, unique buildings of bygone years, Taman Fatahila Square in the Kota district, the charming Chinese district of Glodak with the oldest temple in the city - Jing Yuan - all this creates a unique flavor and makes you sincerely admire the capital of the island. Worth special attention here historical museum Jakarta, the stunning Chicken Market Bridge, the famous ancient cannon "Si-Yago", the Wayang Museum of Dolls and Ritual Objects, as well as a great many other outstanding buildings, museums and monuments. Of great interest to children are the Ragunan Zoo, the large Taman Mini Park, which characterizes Indonesia in miniature, the Water Palace and the beautiful recreation park Jaya Ankol. Adults are recommended to visit the Taman-Ismail-Marzuki cultural and entertainment complex.

In the vicinity of Bandung, there are hot volcanic springs in Chiatera, a grandiose safari park, picturesque tea plantations in Puncak and national park Pendant. Fans of hiking excursions are invited to take the route to the Maribaya hot springs, located in the midst of majestic volcanic landscapes. Yogyakarta boasts an exquisite palace complex called the Sultan's Kraton with the Taman Sari water palace, the Agastya Art Institute, as well as the Sono Badoyo and Benteng Vredeburg museums. Between it and the city of Solo, stands the largest Hindu temple complex in Java - Prambanan, which annually receives thousands of pilgrims. There are practically no uninteresting cities on the island. Every square kilometer of island space contains the history, culture and traditions of entire peoples, so traveling around Java simply cannot help but be fascinating.

Kitchen

Traditional elements included in the dishes of restaurants, cafes and eateries on the island are vegetables, seafood, chicken, beef and rice. Popular drinks include freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, ginger tea, tuak beer brewed with palm flowers, and local palm vodka called arak.

Shopping

In stores and shopping complexes In these cities, visitors are invited to purchase a wide variety of goods, from clothing and shoes to jewelry and the latest electronic developments. Prices, in most cases, are surprising in their affordability, so island shopping can bring true pleasure to even the most thrifty shoppers.

Java is an amazing combination of natural beauty and the benefits of modern civilization. Majestic volcanoes, towering above the tropical jungle, coexist here with skyscrapers made of glass and concrete, and ancient temples look harmonious against the backdrop of snow-white beaches and evergreen palm trees. A stay on this exotic island allows true travelers to experience the spirit of Southeast Asia, and get a complete picture of the mysterious, located in the far reaches of our planet, somewhere between the Pacific and Indian oceans.