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Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands, a significant part of the Malay Archipelago. It is part of Indonesia, covering an area of 132,000 square kilometers. It ranks as the third-largest Indonesian island, following Sumatra and Sulawesi.
Option Trip – Java is rightfully recognized as the most densely populated island on Earth, with a population exceeding 156.6 million people, accounting for more than 56% of Indonesia’s total population. The island’s population density is 1,150 people per square kilometer.
A Bit of History
The island was first discovered by Europeans after the capture of Malacca in the early 16th century. In the same year, Portugal sent three ships to find the source of cloves and nutmeg, though the fleet passed by the island and only explored the northern coast. During the first quarter of the 16th century, the last Hindu kingdom on the island, Majapahit, was destroyed. Following this, a number of short-lived kingdoms emerged on Java.
Java later came under Dutch control, became a British colony during Napoleon’s rule, and was returned to Dutch authority under the 1815 Treaty of Paris. In 1883, a major earthquake triggered the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano, causing about 40,000 deaths and significant damage to the island.
By the early 20th century, nearly 99% of Java’s population was of Malay descent, primarily practicing Sunni Islam. Christians numbered no more than 20,000, while about 35,000 were merchants, authorities, and plantation owners. A small percentage of the population consisted of Chinese, Europeans, Malays, and Arab Muslims.
Geography
To the west of Java lies Sumatra, to the east is Bali, to the north is Borneo, and to the south is Christmas Island. Java ranks 13th in the world in terms of land area. To the north, the island is bordered by the Java Sea, to the west by the Sunda Strait, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the east by the Madura and Bali Straits. The island stretches over 1,000 kilometers in length, with its widest point measuring 210 kilometers.
Most of the island’s land is of volcanic origin, and it is home to 38 mountains, aligned from east to west, many of which were once active volcanoes. The highest volcano is Semeru, standing over 3,600 meters tall, while the most active volcano on the island and in all of Indonesia is Merapi, which rises nearly 3,000 meters. Java is dotted with over 150 mountains.
The island’s mountainous terrain divides the landscape into several enclosed regions where wet rice is cultivated, making these areas some of the richest rice-growing regions in the world. Since the late 17th century, Java has been known for producing top-quality Indonesian coffee. The Ijen Plateau is home to arabica coffee plantations.
The island is also home to the Solo River, which is 600 kilometers long. It originates in central Java and flows northeast towards its mouth in the Java Sea. Other notable rivers on the island include the Serayu, Cimanuk, Citarum, and Brantas.
What to See
One of the most iconic attractions in Indonesia is the Borobudur Temple, located on Java. This is the largest Buddhist structure in the world and is listed as one of the most significant historical and architectural monuments globally.
Near Yogyakarta lies the second-largest Hindu temple complex on Earth, after Angkor Wat, the Prambanan Temple. This ancient architectural marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the greatest cultural achievements of Indonesia. The complex consists of 240 temples of various sizes and shapes.
Another notable site is the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, which spans almost 800 square kilometers. It contains several volcanoes, cultural landmarks, and ancient settlements.