Yogyakarta

Of the 32 provinces in Indonesia, Yogyakarta’s Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY) takes a special place as the premier cultural center.The Javanese cultural centers are known the world over for their diverse and authentic cultural activities. Visitors to the DIY are impressed by its location and prestigious history. The region is located just next to the active Merapi Volcano. This serves as one of its main attractions for visitors to this area.

The city was established in the 18th century. It is in Yogyakarta that the mighty Mataram Empire made a home in the 16th and 17th centuries. With this kind of far-reaching history, Yogyakarta is rich in traditions and cultural matters. It is thus a magnet that pulls visitors from all corners of the globe. The city is indeed a powerhouse for music, puppetry, and traditional dances. Not surprisingly, the region has become one of the most densely populated regions in the country.

Why are local and foreign tourists are alike attracted to Yogyakarta? Well, it has plenty to offer. Highly talented artists of all nature provide thrills to the hundreds of all kinds. You will encounter performances in contemporary and classical Javanese dances, leather puppetry locally known as Wayang kulit, and a raft of other traditional art expressions that will leave you awestruck. That is not all. You will find leather, silver, and batik works by skilled artisans on display. Lovers of modern art are invited to visit ASRI to encounter the modern works of Indonesia’s finest artists. ASRI is an art school that was made famous by Affandi, the late arts guru. It is dedicated to nurturing talent in modern art impressionism.

Due to its location, many people refer to Yogyakarta as the gateway to the central of Java. It is also very easily accessible. A visitor
can take the daily flight services from Bali, Surabaya or Jakarta to Yogya. Alternatively, you can travel by road or train. Once in the city, there is a lot that you can do. The obvious choice for most visitors is to sample the many cultural delights it has to offer. However, there is more than this. You can decide to experience the rich food culture that is on almost every street. Many
visitors also revel in the numerous shopping centers. Accommodation should not be a matter of concern. There are many hotels to cater to your budget and tastes on Sosrowijayan Street.

The Sultan’s Palace (Kraton) in Yogyakarta is clearly the most preferred place by most tourists. The palace is an embodiment of the region’s rich history. It is rich with all the art culture that Yogyakarta has experienced in the last 500+ years. In spite of this, Yogya has made remarkable strides in embracing modern culture and lifestyles. The stark contrast of old, decaying 18th-century buildings and modern architectural designs makes this city unique. The current sultan resides in one of the more modern luxurious buildings. However, not far away from his residence, you will find buildings that embody Yogyakarta’s rich historically heritage. Another unique thing about the city is that still uses the Becak form of transportation.

Yogyakarta’s Geographical Location

Yogyakarta’s Special Province lies smack in the southern
part of Central Java. It is surrounded by the following Central Java
administrative boundaries:

1. Purworejo Regency to the West
2. Klaten Regency to the East
3. Wonogiri Regency to the South
4. The Northwestern Magelang Regency

The special region is located about 100 kilometers from Bali and 600 kilometers from Jakarta. Considering that these two are very important transnational gateways, Yogyakarta’s location is very significant. Getting to the region is quite hassle-free. With excellent means of transport connecting to Lombok, Bali, Sumatra and the rest of Java, a visitor can never be stranded. You also get to pick your means of transport – train, plane or bus. Plans are underway to improve on the classification of Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto Airport. It is expected that it will be receiving and sending both chartered and international flights before the end of the year, in addition to the current domestic flights from Jakarta and Bali.

The southern part of Yogyakarta is bordered by the Indonesian Ocean. This part of the province captures over 100 kilometers of
shoreline that starts from the Sadeng Beach in Gunung Kidul Regency and ends at the Congot Beach located in Kulon Progo Regency.

As a result of its location and infrastructure, Yogyakarta is a haven for both business people and tourists. It is a beehive of economic activities that interconnect East Java, Bali, West Java, Central Java and Jakarta. These activities are ably supported by the excellent means of transport that connect Yogyakarta to all the other regions.

Yogyakarta’s Weather and Climate

The lowest temperature that you can experience here is 18 degrees, while the highest is 35 degrees. However, most days experience an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity averages at 74%, with the maximum being 84% and the minimum at 65%. The locals and visitors enjoy sunshine all year round, with the exception of only one season of heavy
rainfall, which begins in August. When it does rain, the rainfall measures between 3mm and 500mm. annually, the area gets a rainfall of 1,900mm. The months between May and August are relatively rain-free.

Yogyakarta’s Population

The 2000 census put the population of Yogyakarta Special Province at slightly above 3.3 million. The city itself has a population of about 470,000 people who live in an area covering 32 square kilometers. This means that the population density is about 14,000 people per kilometer. The least populated district is Gunung Kidul Regency that has over 720,000 people
on its 1500 square kilometers.

Most of the residents speak Javanese. This is a language whose roots lie in the ancient language of Sanskrit. However, the region is a hub of learning activities, with students from all over the country attending its numerous centers of learning.

Yogyakarta’s Vibrant Culture

The special province is vibrant with ancient Javanese culture. By virtue, the fact that it has been home to a number of ancient
kingdoms, the region is known for art, culture and rich records of civilization. The years between the 8th and 10th centuries were the era of the first Mataram Kingdom. The second Mataram Kingdom reigned between the 17th and 18th centuries. The reign of the current Sultanate Ngayogyokarto started in the mid-18th century.

The cultural heritage that Yogyakarta is known for features such things as beautiful temples, cultural events, unique traditional palaces, decaying monasteries and palaces and performing arts. This gives Yogyakarta’s credence to the claim that it is the cradle and custodian of Javanese culture.

Yogyakarta also goes by the name of City of Art and Culture. Many cultural activities take place here on a daily basis. On any day, you will encounter performances of music, poems, dances, pantomime, plays and many more. These are the very soul of the city. The activities at the Labuhan, Sekaten, Malibor Fair, and Gunungan will leave even the most curious of tourists well satiated.