ON EAST JAVA

Each province of East Java is located between 7 degrees 12' and 8 degrees 48' South latitude and stretches from 110 degrees 52' to 114 degrees 42' East longitude.
The borders of East Java are :
the eastern is the Bali Strait,the western is Central Java,the northern is the Java Sea,the southern is the Indian Ocean
Two-thirds of this province is mountainous and hilly with slopes. There are approximately 48 mountains with summits from 284 to 3,676 m. The highest mountain in Java is located in East Java. It is Mt. Semeru.
The total area includes the area of land measuring 47,922.48 sq. km, with a marine area measuring 110,000.00 sq. km. The total number of isles and islands recorded is 74. Thus, the total area of East Java as a whole is 157,922,48 sq. km which is composed as follows:
The area of land 47,922.48 sq. km
Consists of:
- Technical field 6,866.37 sq. km
- Semi-technical field 1,137.61 sq. km
- Dry field 3,749.57 sq. km
- Garden 11,603.70 sq. km
- Housing 5,572.76 sq. km
- Plantation 1,835.17 sq. km
- Productive forest 7,433.12 sq. km
- Protected forest 4,364.57 sq. km
- National park and preserved forest 2,202.33 sq. km
- Pool 0.51 sq. km
- Salt pond 134.14 sq. km
- Fish pond 897.00 sq. km
- Mix garden 253.75 sq. km
- Destroyed/unfertile/grassy land 1,258.75 sq. km
The area of sea = 110.000.00 sq. km.
Number of isles and islands = 74.

ClimateEast Java, like the other parts of the Indonesian archipelago, has the same climate: a tropical climate with two famous seasons: rainy season (October-April) and dry seasons (May - September). The average temperature is between 20-30 degrees Celcius (about 75-95 degrees Farenheit). It is sunny in East Java: 70% - 80% of the year in the northern area, 60% - 70% in the central area and about 60% of the year in the mountains.According to the records from the Department of Meteorology, the air temperature ranges from 19.8 degrees - 36.0 degrees Celcius. The lowest temperature takes place in July whereas the highest temperature takes place in November. Based on the Schmidt and Ferguson's classification system, most of the regions in East Java posses a D-type climate.
HydrologyMost regions in East Java are irrigated by rivers. The rivers have many purposes such as: irrigation, fishery, reservoir, electric plant, transportation, tourist attraction, etc. Besides the river, there are some factors which support hydrology such as: swamps, crater lakes, lakes, reservoirs, water sources, and underground water.
The region of East Java The region of East Java based on the physical features and natural characteristics is classified into 4 (four) sub-regions:
Sub-region IHighland regions in the central area start from the regencies of Ngawi to Banyuwangi (fertile regions that have already developed due to the DAS--area irrigated by the river) Brantas, DAS Madiun, and DAS Sampean.
Sub-region IILowland regions in the northern area of East Java and the island of Madura consist of the regencies of Bojonegoro, Tuban, Lamongan, Gresik, and Madura (regions) of which the fertility is growing due to the DAS Solo and DAS Madura.
Sub-region IIILimestone regions in the southern part lie in the regencies of Pacitan, Ponorogo, and western Trenggalek, Tulungagung, Blitar, and Malang (these are infertile, undeveloped regions but they are linked with the DAS Grindulu/Pakis Baru and part of the DAS Brantas).
Sub-region IVIsolated rural isles which consist of 63, belonging to the regency of Sumenep. One isle belongs to the respective regencies: Sampang, Gresik, and Probolinggo (under-developed regions).

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo also Gunung Bromo, located in the Tengger Caldera, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. It is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, and even though at 2329 meters it is not the highest peak of the massif, it is the most well known.

According to a local folk tale, at the end of the 15th century princess Roro Anteng from the Majapahit Empire started a separate principality together with her husband Joko Seger. They named it Tengger by the last syllables of their names. The principality did prosper, but the ruling couple failed to conceive children. In their despair they climbed Mount Bromo to pray to the gods, who granted them help, but requested the last child to be sacrificed to the gods. They had 24 children, and when the 25th and last child Kesuma was born Roro Anteng refused to do the sacrifice as promised. The gods then threatened with fire and brimstone, until she finally did the sacrifice. After the child was thrown into the crater, the voice of the child ordered the local people to perform an annual ceremony on the volcano, which is still held today.

TUGU PAHLAWAN(THE HEROES MONUMENT)

Although there are many military statues in and around Surabaya, this one is certainly the most imposing. The heroes monument stands, like a rocket pointed towards the moon, in Taman Kebunrojo opposite the East Java Governor's office in jalan Pahlawan. A statue as tall as 45 yards erected on Pahlawan street is not ornate or even decorative, not particularly large, but its simplicity may have been the deliberate plan of its architect to convey humble, rather than bellicose, pride. The monument becomes a centre of major attention every November 10th, the day in 1945 when Surabaya commemorates those heroes who died during the independence war.

interest in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions. The city itself has a special charm which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.

This province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the division of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the wayang kulit leather puppet theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in the arts of batiks, silver and leather work.

The Sultan's palace is the hub of Yogya's traditional life and despite the advance of modernity, it still emanates the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of Yogya's art for centuries. Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogya itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.

Yogya is often called the main gateway to the center of Java where it is geographically located. It stretches from Mount Merapi to the Indian Ocean. There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service and easy accessibility by road.

Parangtritis, the Most Popular Beach in Yogyakarta

In addition to being the most popular beach in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis is worth visiting since it is closely related to such tourism objects as the Sultan Palace in Yogyakarta city, Parangkusumo Beach to the west of it, and the Merapi area at the north part of Yogyakarta. Located around 27 kilometers from the city center, Parangtritis Beach is also part of the Queen of South's authority.

The naming of the beach has its own history. Hundreds years ago, someone named Dipokusumo, who was a fugitive of Majapahit Kingdom, came to this area to meditate. When he saw water dripping from the crack of the coral reef, he named this area 'parangt ritis', originating from the word parang (stone) and tumaritis (water drops). The beach close to the area was then named the same. Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manif estation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers.

Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manifestation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers.

The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. The enchantment of the coastal scenery can be seen from different angles to give you different experiences. Wh

en you are standing at the seashore, you will see the wide ocean with the high waves and steeply mountainside on the east side.

To get the view from the site, just walk or hire the horse-cart westwards and you look southwards when you have reached the place. You may get to the place by riding a horse that you shall rent at negotiable price.

The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. The enchant ment of the coastal scenery can be seen from different angles to give you different experiences. When you are standing at the seashore, you will see the wide ocean with the high waves and steeply mountainside on the east side.

To get the view from the site, just walk or hire the horse-cart westwards and you look southwards when you have reached the place. You may get to the place by riding a horse that you shall rent at negotiable price.

To get to Parangtritis Beach, you can take either one of the two routes. One is the route of Yogyakarta-Imogiri-Siluk-Parangtritis with the river and coral reel scenery on the way. The other is Yogyakarta-Parangtritis route that is easier to take with quite smooth road. It is suggested that you do not wear green clothes to respect local people who believe that green clothes will bring misfortune.

The Temple of Borobudur

The Borobodur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world. It is of uncertain age, but thought to have been built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century A.D. For about a century and a half it was the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Java, then it was lost until its rediscovery in the eighteenth century.

The structure, composed of 55,000 square meters of lava-rock is erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha.

For each direction there are ninety-two Dhyani Buddha statues and 1,460 relief scenes. The lowest level has 160 reliefs depicting cause and effect; the middle level contains various stories of the Buddha's life from the Jataka Tales; the highest level has no reliefs or decorations whatsoever but has a balcony, square in shape with round walls: a circle without beginning or end. Here is the place of the ninety-two Vajrasattvas or Dhyani Buddhas tucked into small stupas. Each of these statues has a mudra (hand gesture) indicating one of the five directions: east, with the mudra of calling the earth to witness; south, with the hand position of blessing; west, with the gesture of meditation; north, the mudra of fearlessness; and the centre with the gesture of teaching.

Besides being the highest symbol of Buddhism, the Borobodur stupa is also a replica of the universe.It symbolises the micro-cosmos, which is divided into three levels, in which man's world of desire is influenced by negative impulses; the middle level, the world in which man has control of his negative impulses and uses his positive impulses; the highest level, in which the world of man is no longer bounded by physical and worldly ancient desire.It is devotional practice to circumambulate around the galleries and terraces always turning to the left and keeping the edifice to the right while either chanting or meditating. In total, Borobodur represents the ten levels of a Bodhisattva's life which he or she must develop to become a Buddha or an awakened one.

Lombok Island

On the island of Lombok is located the large, stratovolcano of Gunung Rinjani that is part of Segara Anak Caldera. Rinjani stretches to about 3 miles (5 km) in diameter. This caldera has been active as recently as 1966. On May 21st, 1966 lava and a strong sulfur odor were detected at the Gunung Baru cone. The previous activity was in November of 1915 when smoke was reportedly emitted from Rinjani (U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1855, Vol 1, p327). Both images of this volcano were taken from the U.S. Space Shuttle using color infrared (CIR) film in May 1992. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in June-July, 1994.

This photo from the space Shuttle shows the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok, and Sumbawa (from left to right). The view is to the north across the volcanic arc. Space Shuttle photo STS068-0160-0053.