East Java

East Java is a province in Indonesia, located on the eastern part of Java island. It shares a land border only with Central Java to the west, while the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean surround its northern and southern coasts. The narrow Bali Strait separates it from the island of Bali to the east. East Java also includes the island of Madura, connected to Java by the Suramadu Bridge, the longest bridge in Indonesia, as well as the Kangean islands and other smaller island groups.

The capital of East Java is Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia. It is a major industrial and business center. Banyuwangi is the largest regency in East Java and also the largest on the island of Java. The province covers an area of about 48,000 square kilometers and is home to over 42 million people, making it Indonesia's second-most-populous province. Almost a quarter of its population lives in the Greater Surabaya area.

East Java is home to many different ethnic groups, including the Javanese, Madurese, and Chinese. Most people practice Islam, but other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism are also present. The official language is Indonesian, but Javanese and Madurese are commonly spoken, especially in Surabaya.

The province offers many natural attractions for visitors, including mountains, beaches, caves, and waterfalls. Popular destinations include Ijen volcano in Banyuwangi, Baluran National Park in Situbondo, and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in Malang, Pasuruan, Lumajang, and Probolinggo.

History

Prehistory

Humans have lived in East Java since very old times. Fossils of early humans have been found in places like Mojokerto, Trinil, and Wajak.

Hindu-Buddhist era

Old writings from around 760 CE have been found near Malang. They talk about events in the Kingdom of Kanjuruhan. In 1222, Ken Arok started the Kingdom of Singhasari. Later, the Kingdom of Majapahit was started in 1293. Majapahit grew to be a strong empire in Southeast Asia under leaders like Hayam Wuruk and Gajah Mada.

Islamic era

Islam started to spread to Java around the 11th century. By the 16th century, it had become the main religion, replacing Hinduism and Buddhism for most people. Some groups, like the Tenggerese people, still follow Hinduism today.

European colonization

Dutch explorers arrived in the late 1500s, and by the late 1700s, the Dutch controlled much of Java. The British briefly ruled Java during the Napoleonic Wars but returned it to the Dutch in 1814.

Japanese occupation and revolution

During World War II, Japan occupied Java. After Japan surrendered, fighting broke out between local Indonesian forces and Allied troops in Surabaya in November 1945. This was part of the struggle for Indonesian independence from Dutch rule.

Contemporary era

As cities grew, many people in East Java lived in simple homes along rivers and railroads. East Java has hosted big national sports events twice.

Geography

East Java is a province in Indonesia, located on the eastern part of Java island. It shares a border only with Central Java to the west. To the north lies the Java Sea, the Strait of Bali is to the east, and the Indian Ocean borders the southern coast. The area also includes the island of Madura, connected by Indonesia's longest bridge, the Suramadu Bridge, along with the Kangean Islands and smaller island groups.

The region features varied landscapes. In the south, there are plateaus, while the middle zone has volcanic mountains and fertile lands. The northern part includes mountain ranges that are less fertile. Important rivers such as the Brantas River and the Solo River flow through the area, supporting irrigation, fishing, and tourism. East Java has a tropical climate with a rainy season lasting about 100 days and temperatures ranging from 19–34 °C, though colder temperatures occur in higher mountain areas.

Government and administrative divisions

See also: Subdivisions of Indonesia and List of districts of East Java

East Java is split into 29 areas called regencies and 9 cities. This way of dividing the province has stayed the same since it began, except for one new city called Batu, which was created on June 21, 2001, from part of Malang Regency. These areas are grouped into five regions just to make travel easier, but these regions are not official.

The province sends 87 representatives to Indonesia's People's Representative Council through eleven electoral districts. For example, the East Java I district includes Sidoarjo Regency and Surabaya City and sends 10 members.

Note: The number of people living in Batu City in 2000 was counted as part of Malang Regency because Batu became a city later, on June 21, 2001.

Demographics

East Java is the second most crowded area in Indonesia, after West Java. In 2000, about 35 million people lived there. By 2010, this number grew to around 37.5 million, and by 2020, it was about 40.7 million. As of mid-2024, estimates suggest around 41.8 million people call East Java home.

Most people in East Java are Javanese, but there are also many Madurese people, especially on the island of Madura and nearby islands. Other groups include small numbers of Tengger, Samin, Osing, Chinese, Indians, and Arabs. The main language is Indonesian, but many also speak Javanese, with different dialects in western and eastern parts of the region. Islam is the main religion today, but there are also Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, along with some people who follow a mix of old traditions.

Economy

East Java plays a big role in the economy of Central and Eastern Indonesia. It helps make more than 15% of all the goods and services in Indonesia.

The province has many important factories. There is a big shipbuilding place in Surabaya, a military factory in Southern Malang, and a large railway factory in Madiun. There are also paper mills, cigarette factories, and cement factories in different cities. The government has set up special areas for factories in several places.

East Java also gets a lot of energy from oil and power plants. One big oil area is in Bojonegoro. The power comes from hydroelectric dams, thermal power stations, small water power plants, and solar energy.

Transportation

Roads

East Java has many important roads, including a long road along the northern coast called pantura road that goes from Anyer to Jakarta through Semarang, Surabaya, and Banyuwangi. There are also roads connecting Jakarta to Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. Several highways link different parts of East Java, such as the Surabaya-Gempol Toll Road, Gempol-Pandaan, Pandaan-Malang, and others. The Suramadu Bridge connects Surabaya to Madura Island. New highways are being built to connect more cities and industrial areas.

Railways

East Java's railway system started during the time of the colonial era of the Dutch East Indies. The railways connect places like Surabaya Pasar Turi to Semarang, Cirebon, and Jakarta. There are also lines from Surabaya Gubeng to Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Jakarta, as well as ring lines and lines going east. Commuter trains run between cities such as Bojonegoro, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Lamongan, Mojokerto, Malang, and Jember. Some railway lines are being upgraded to have two tracks for faster travel.

Harbors

Tanjung Perak International Port in Surabaya is a major port in Indonesia. Other important ports in East Java include Gresik Port, Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate, Tanjung Tembaga Probolinggo Port, and Banyuwangi Port. There are also many smaller ports for national use and ferry services that connect Java with Madura Island, Bali, and nearby islands.

Airports

Juanda International Airport near Surabaya connects the city to many places in Indonesia and other countries. Other airports include Banyuwangi International Airport and Dhoho International Airport. There are also regional airports such as Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang, along with several other public airports across the province.

Art and culture

East Java has many special kinds of art. One well-known art form is Ludruk, a stage show where all the actors are men. It tells stories about everyday life, often with jokes and comments about society. It usually starts with a dance called Remo and something called parikan. You can still see Ludruk in places like Surabaya, Mojokerto, and Jombang, though it is becoming less common.

Another famous art from East Java is Reog, which comes from Ponorogo. Reog performances include dancers and sometimes elements that seem magical. Other well-known arts include a special style of puppets, masks from Madura, and other performances. There are also popular stories like Damarwulan, Angling Darma, and Sarip Tambak-Oso.

Traditional dances in East Java come in many styles. Some famous dances are gandrung, gambyong, srimpi, bondan, and wanderer. There are also dances that look like lions, found in Bondowoso and Jember.

The culture of East Java has been shaped by many influences. In the western part, called Mataraman, the culture is similar to that of Central Java. Along the west coast, such as in Tuban, Lamongan, and Gresik, Islamic culture has had a strong influence. In other areas, like around Surabaya and Malang, the local culture is different and not as influenced by Mataraman.

Customs in some areas are influenced by the culture of Madura. For example, there is a festival called Karapan sapi where people race bulls. Other groups mix Javanese and Hindu traditions. Villages often have ceremonies for important life events, like when a baby is born or when a person gets circumcised.

Most people in East Java marry just one person. Before marriage, the family of the young man will visit the family of the young woman. Weddings often start with a meeting of the families. In some places, like Tuban, Lamongan, Gresik, and Bojonegoro, it is the woman’s family that chooses the man, which is different from many other places in Indonesia.

Families also hold ceremonies to honor people who have passed away, at times like one day, three days, seven days, and up to three years after the person’s death.

Education

East Java has the most public universities in Indonesia. Major cities for universities are Surabaya, Malang, and Jember. There is also a university in Bangkalan on Madura island. Notable universities include:

• Airlangga University
• Brawijaya University
• Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology
• State University of Surabaya
• State University of Malang
• Trunojoyo University
• University of Jember
• National Development University "Veteran" of East Java
• Sunan Ampel State Islamic University Surabaya
• Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University Malang
• University of Surabaya
• Petra Christian University
• Wijaya Kusuma University
• Widya Mandala Catholic University

Another important type of education found in most cities in East Java is the pesantren. This is a special school organized by Islamic clerics and linked with Muslim groups. Jombang and Ponorogo are well-known for their pesantren. The Indonesian Naval Academy is also located in Surabaya.

Media

East Java has many local media outlets. Newspapers based in the area share news faster than papers from Jakarta. They often include special sections for different towns and cities. New media platforms are also growing, especially for younger audiences.

• Jawa Pos Group, a big newspaper group in Indonesia, based in Surabaya
• Surya, a newspaper from Surabaya (owned by Kompas Group)
• Suara Surabaya (E100 FM), local radio and online news for Surabaya and East Java
• IDN Times, a media site for younger people

Tourism

The Malang metropolitan region is a popular place to visit in Indonesia, with the City of Batu as its center.

East Java has many beautiful spots to explore. One famous site is Mount Bromo, home to the Tengger tribe, where a special ceremony happens each year. Nearby, Madakaripura Waterfall drops about 200 meters, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Java. Other natural areas include the Malang Raya mountains, Tretes, and Trawas, similar to the Puncak area in West Java. East Java also has national parks and Taman Safari Indonesia II in Prigen.

The area is rich in history, with places like Trowulan in Mojokerto, once the center of the Majapahit Kingdom. You can find temples and tombs there, as well as Penataran temple in Blitar. On the south coast, you’ll find beautiful beaches such as Prigi, Pelang, Pasir Putih, Popoh, Ngliyep, and Plengkung, known for its great waves. Other spots include Jatim Park, Museum Angkut, Batu Secret Zoo, and Watu Ulo Beach. In the north, important tombs and caves draw visitors, including the burial sites of several respected leaders.

The Malang area offers many attractions, from volcanoes to beaches, and has good transportation links. Surabaya, the main city of East Java, features sites like Tugu Pahlawan, MPU Tantular Museum, Surabaya Zoo, and the Tunjungan downtown area.

Malang metropolitan region
City of Batu
Jatim Park
Museum Angkut
City of Batu
Probolinggo
Ijen
Banyuwangi
Kedung Tumpang beach
Tulungagung
House of Sampoerna
Surabaya
Trowulan
Majapahit Empire
Maulana Malik Ibrahim
Sempu Island
Malang Regency

National parks

• Meru Betiri National Park – Located between Jember and Banyuwangi, this park covers 580 km² and has coastal rainforest with many animals.
• Alas Purwo National Park – This park, covering 434 km², is on the Blambangan Peninsula in southeastern Java. It includes mangrove, savanna, forests, and beaches. Its name means "First Forest" in Javanese.
• Baluran National Park – Spanning 250 km² in northeastern Java, this park is known as "The Little Africa".
• Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park – Found in East Java near Probolinggo and Pasuruan, it is 70 km from Surabaya. Mount Bromo is a popular hiking spot with beautiful views.
• Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park – Situated between Pasuruan, Mojokerto, and Batu, it includes several mountains such as Mount Arjuna, Mount Welirang, and Mount Penanggungan.
• Purwodadi Botanical Garden is a research center in Pasuruan with 85 hectares of land and over 10,000 types of trees and plants.

Cuisine

East Java has many tasty foods from different areas. Some popular dishes include Bakso Malang, Rawon, and Tahu Campur Lamongan. Surabaya is known for Rojak Cingur, Semanggi, and Lontong Balap. Malang is famous for its fruits, tempeh crisps, and Bakso Malang. Kediri is well-known for tahu takwa and tahu pong. Madiun makes pecel madiun and Brem.

Bondowoso is a place for tape, and Gresik is famous for nasi krawu and otak-otak bandeng. Sidoarjo makes shrimp crackers and petis. Ngawi is known for tempeh chips and tahu tepo. Blitar has pecel and rambutan. Banyuwangi offers sego tempong and salad soup. Jember has sweet tape treats. The Madurese eat corn, and cassava is made into gaplek in Pacitan and Trenggalek. Tulungagung is famous for lodho and goat satay. Ponorogo has Satay Ponorogo and Dawet Jabung, while Probolinggo is known for Ketan Kratok and Olok Crab.

Sports

See also: List of East Java major league professional sports teams

East Java has many professional football teams, more than any other area in Indonesia. Some of the top teams include Persik, Madura United, Arema, and Persebaya. These teams have won many championships and often represent Indonesia in important Asian competitions.

East Java has also hosted big sports events and has strong teams in other sports. There are professional basketball teams like CLS Knights Indonesia and Pacific Cesar Surabaya. The area holds bicycle races such as the Tour de East Java and Tour de Ijen. There are also good volleyball, futsal, and badminton teams in the region.

International relations

East Java has friendly partnerships with other places around the world. It is twinned with:

• Western Australia, Australia – since 1993.
• Shanghai, China – since 2006.

Notable people

Main category: People from East Java

This section lists some well-known individuals from East Java. These people have made important contributions in various fields and are recognized for their achievements.