History Of East Java
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

East Java (, , ) is a
province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
located in the easternmost third of
Java Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
island. It has a land border only with the province of
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
to the west; the
Java Sea The Java Sea (, ) is an extensive shallow sea on the Sunda Shelf, between the Indonesian islands of Borneo to the north, Java to the south, Sumatra to the west, and Sulawesi to the east. Karimata Strait to its northwest links it to the South Ch ...
and the
Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...
border its northern and southern coasts, respectively, while the narrow
Bali Strait Bali Strait is a stretch of water separating Java and Bali while connecting the Indian Ocean and the Bali Sea. At its narrowest it is wide. Geography The Bali Strait is one of the bodies of water surrounding the island of Bali: Lombok Strait ...
to the east separates Java from
Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
by around . Located in eastern
Java Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
, the province also includes the island of
Madura is an list of islands of Indonesia, Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java. The island comprises an area of approximately (administratively including various smaller islands to the east, southeast and north that are administratively ...
(which is connected to Java by the longest bridge in Indonesia, the
Suramadu Bridge The Suramadu Bridge (, Javanese language, Javanese: ''Kreteg Suramadu'', Madurese language, Madurese: ''Tètè Suramadu''; from the abbreviation of ''Surabaya–Madura Bridge'') is a cable-stayed bridge between Surabaya on the island of Java (is ...
), as well as the
Kangean islands The Kangean Islands or simply Kangean ( Indonesian: ''Kepulauan Kangean'') is a collective name for a group of islands lying to the east of Madura. Kangean (the main island) and its surrounding islands lie to the north of Bali in the nort ...
and other smaller island groups located further east (in the northern Bali Sea) and the Masalembu archipelago to the north. Its capital is
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
, the second largest city in Indonesia, a major industrial center and also a major business center.
Banyuwangi Banyuwangi, previously known as Banjoewangi, is a large town and an administrative district (''kecamat5an'') which serves as the capital of Banyuwangi Regency at the far eastern end of the island of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 106,000 ...
is the largest regency in East Java and the largest on the island of Java. The province covers a land area of , and according to the 2010 Census, there were 37,476,757 people residing there,Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. making it
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
's second-most-populous province; the 2020 Census showed an increase to 40,665,696 people,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. while the official estimate for mid 2024 was 41,914,499 (comprising 20,848,660 males and 20,965,880 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Timur Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.35) Almost a quarter of the population lives inside the Greater Surabaya metropolitan area. East Java is inhabited by many different ethnic groups, such as the Javanese, Madurese and Chinese. Most of the people in East Java adhere to
Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
, forming around 94% of the total population. Other religions are also practiced, such as
Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
,
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
and
Confucianism Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, Religious Confucianism, religion, theory of government, or way of li ...
which are mostly practised by
Tionghoa Chinese Indonesians (), or simply ''Orang Tionghoa'' or ''Tionghoa'', are Indonesians whose ancestors arrived from China at some stage in the last eight centuries. Chinese Indonesians are the fourth largest community of Overseas Chinese in th ...
people and immigrants from
Eastern Indonesia Eastern Indonesia (or East Indonesia) is one of the two main geographical regions of Indonesia, the other being Western Indonesia. It comprises four geographical units: Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, Maluku Islands and Papua. Central Indone ...
and
North Sumatra North Sumatra () is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia located in the northern part of the island of Sumatra. Its capital and largest city is Medan on the east coast of the island. It borders Aceh to the northwest, Riau to the sou ...
, and also
Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
which are practised by the
Tenggerese people The Tenggerese people are a sub-ethnic group of Javanese people, Javanese in East Java, eastern Java who are centered in the isolated Tengger mountains (Mount Bromo) in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in eastern Java. The majority of th ...
in the
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (; abbreviated as ) is a national park located in East Java, Indonesia, to the east of Malang and Lumajang, to the south of Pasuruan and Probolinggo, and to the southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East J ...
and the
Balinese people The Balinese people (, ) are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the Indonesian island of Bali. The Balinese population of 4.2 million (1.7% of Indonesia's population) live mostly on the island of Bali, making up 89% of the island's population ...
inhabiting the easternmost part of the province bordering
Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
as well as the dominant minority
Indian Indonesians Indian Indonesians are Indonesians whose ancestors originally came from the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, this term can be regarded as a blanket term for not only Indonesian Indians but also Indonesians with other South Asian ancestries (e.g. ...
in
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
city. The
Indonesian language Indonesian (; ) is the official language, official and national language of Indonesia. It is a standard language, standardized variety (linguistics), variety of Malay language, Malay, an Austronesian languages, Austronesian language that has ...
is the official language of the province as well as the whole nation, but Javanese and Madurese are most frequently used, especially the Surabaya dialect ( Javanese: or — the Javanese dialect of
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
) used mainly in the capital
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
. Indonesian is only used for inter-ethnic communication and official purposes. East Java offers different types of tourist attractions. There are a variety of natural attractions, including mountains, beaches, caves, and waterfalls. Almost every regency or city in East Java has its own unique tourist destinations, such as the
Ijen Map of Ijen Crater, where sulfur is mined The Ijen volcano complex is a group of composite volcanoes located on the border between Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency of East Java, Indonesia. It is known for its blue fire, acidic cr ...
volcano in
Banyuwangi Banyuwangi, previously known as Banjoewangi, is a large town and an administrative district (''kecamat5an'') which serves as the capital of Banyuwangi Regency at the far eastern end of the island of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 106,000 ...
,
Baluran National Park Baluran National Park is located in Situbondo Regency, East Java, Indonesia. It has a relatively dry climate and mainly consists of savanna (40%), as well as lowland forests, mangrove forests and hills, with Mount Baluran (1,247m) as its highes ...
in Situbondo, and
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (; abbreviated as ) is a national park located in East Java, Indonesia, to the east of Malang and Lumajang, to the south of Pasuruan and Probolinggo, and to the southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East J ...
in
Malang Malang (; , ), historically known as Tumapel, is an inland List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of East Java. It has a history dating back to the age of the Singhasari, Singhasari K ...
,
Pasuruan Pasuruan () is a city in East Java Province of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 186,262 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 208,006 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at ...
,
Lumajang Lumajang Regency () is a Regencies of Indonesia, Regency () located in the East Java province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,790.90 sq. km, and had a population of 1,006,458 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 1 ...
, and
Probolinggo Probolinggo (, , Javanese language, Javanese: ''Kuthå Pråbålinggå'') is a city on the north coast of East Java province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 56.676 sq. km, and had a population of 217,062 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Stati ...
.


History


Prehistory

East Java has been inhabited by humans since prehistoric times. This was proven by the discovery of fossils remains of the '' Pithecanthropus mojokertensis'' in Kepuhlagen,
Mojokerto Mojokerto ( (''Måjåkěrtå'')) is a city in East Java Province of Indonesia. It is located 40 km southwest of Surabaya, the provincial capital, and constitutes one of the component units of the Surabaya metropolitan area (known as Gerbang ...
; '' Pithecanthropus erectus'' on
Trinil Trinil is a palaeoanthropological site on the banks of the Bengawan Solo in Ngawi Regency, East Java, Indonesia. It was at this site in 1891 that the Dutch anatomist Eugène Dubois discovered the first early hominin remains to be found outsid ...
, Ngawi; and '' Homo wajakensis'' in Wajak,
Tulungagung Tulungagung Regency (pronounced ) is a regency ''(kabupaten)'' of East Java Province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,144.53 km2 and had a population of 990,159 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 1,089,775 at the ...
.


Hindu-Buddhist era

The Dinoyo inscriptions found near the city of
Malang Malang (; , ), historically known as Tumapel, is an inland List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of East Java. It has a history dating back to the age of the Singhasari, Singhasari K ...
are the oldest written sources in East Java, dating from 760 CE. It tells of many political and cultural events in the Kingdom of Kanjuruhan. The name Malang is thought to come from the name of a sacred building called Malangkuseswara. This name is contained in the
Mantyasih inscription The Mantyasih inscription (also known as Balitung charter and Kedu inscription) is an important inscription found and kept by Li Djok Ban in Ngadireja Parakan Temanggung, then the inscription was brought by one of the princes of Surakarta to broug ...
written in 907 CE. In 1222, Ken Arok founded the Kingdom of Singhasari, which he ruled until 1292. Before coming to power, Ken Arok seized power in Tumapel ( Kediri) from Tungul Ametung. Ken Arok's descendants became kings of
Singhasari Singhasari ( or , ), also known as Tumapel, was a Javanese people, Javanese Hindu-Buddist empires, Hindu-Buddhist Monarchy, kingdom located in east Java (island), Java between 1222 and 1292. The kingdom succeeded the Kingdom of Kediri as th ...
and
Majapahit Majapahit (; (eastern and central dialect) or (western dialect)), also known as Wilwatikta (; ), was a Javanese people, Javanese Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhism, Buddhist thalassocracy, thalassocratic empire in Southeast Asia based on the island o ...
from the 13th until the 15th century. In 1227, Anusapati killed Ken Arok, and later became king of Singhasari. Anusapati's power only lasted 20 years, before he was killed by Tohjaya. Three years later, Tohjaya was killed in an uprising led by Jaya Wisnuwardhana, son of Anusapati. In 1268, Wisnuwardhana died, and he was succeeded by
Kertanegara Sri Maharajadiraja Sri Kertanagara Wikrama Dharmatunggadewa, Kritanagara, or Sivabuddha (died 1292), was the last and most important ruler of the Singhasari kingdom of Java, reigning from 1268 to 1292. Under his rule Javanese trade and power dev ...
(1268–1292). In 1292 Kertanegara was defeated by a rebel named Jayakatwang, ending the Singhasari. In 1293,
Kublai Khan Kublai Khan (23 September 1215 – 18 February 1294), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizu of Yuan and his regnal name Setsen Khan, was the founder and first emperor of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty of China. He proclaimed the ...
, founder of the
Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty ( ; zh, c=元朝, p=Yuáncháo), officially the Great Yuan (; Mongolian language, Mongolian: , , literally 'Great Yuan State'), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after Div ...
, sent a large invasion fleet to Java with 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers, beginning the
Mongol invasion of Java The Yuan dynasty under Kublai Khan attempted in 1293 to invade Java, an island in modern Indonesia, with 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers. This was intended as a punitive expedition against Kertanegara of Singhasari, who had refused to pay tribute to ...
. This was a
punitive expedition A punitive expedition is a military journey undertaken to punish a political entity or any group of people outside the borders of the punishing state or union. It is usually undertaken in response to perceived disobedient or morally wrong beha ...
against King Kertanegara of Singhasari, who had refused to pay tribute to the Yuan and maimed one of its ministers. However, it ended with failure for the
Mongols Mongols are an East Asian ethnic group native to Mongolia, China ( Inner Mongolia and other 11 autonomous territories), as well as the republics of Buryatia and Kalmykia in Russia. The Mongols are the principal member of the large family o ...
. In 1294, the
Kingdom of Majapahit Majapahit (; (eastern and central dialect) or (western dialect)), also known as Wilwatikta (; ), was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist thalassocratic empire in Southeast Asia based on the island of Java (in modern-day Indonesia). At its greatest ...
was founded by
Raden Wijaya Raden Wijaya or Raden Vijaya, also known as Nararya Sangramawijaya and his regnal name Kertarajasa Jayawardhana was a Javanese emperor and founder of the Majapahit Empire who ruled from 1293 until his death in 1309.Slamet Muljana, 2005, ''Run ...
. The Majapahit reached its peak during the reign of
Hayam Wuruk Hayam Vuruk ( Indonesian: ''Hayam Wuruk'', Sanskrit: हयम् वुरुक्, Kawi: ꦲꦪꦩ꧀ꦮꦸꦫꦸꦏ꧀) (1334–1389), also called Rajasanagara, Pa-ta-na-pa-na-wu, or Bhatara Prabhu after 1350, was a Javanese Hindu emperor fr ...
. He was accompanied by the ''Mahapatih''
Gajah Mada Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364), also known as Jirnnodhara, was a powerful military leader and '' mahapatih''In full '' Mahapatih Hamengkubumi'', equivalent to the position of prime minister. of the Javanese empire of Majapahit during th ...
. Together they managed to unite the archipelago under the name Dwipantara. Majapahit developed to become one of the strongest empires in Southeast Asia. In 1357, the
Battle of Bubat The Battle of Bubat, also known as ''Pasunda Bubat'', is the battle between the Sunda Kingdom, Sundanese royal family and the Majapahit army that took place in Bubat Square on the northern part of Trowulan (Majapahit capital city) in 1279 Saka or ...
occurred, starting a war between the
Sunda Kingdom The Sunda Kingdom ( , ) was a Sundanese people, Sundanese Hindu kingdom located in the western portion of the island of Java from 669 to around 1579, covering the area of present-day Banten, Jakarta, West Java, Lampung, and the western part of ...
and the Majapahit. The event stemmed from the desire of king Hayam Wuruk to take a Sundanese princess. Dyah Pitaloka as queen. However, because of a misunderstanding about the procedure of marriage, leading to a battle in Bubat. Majapahit troops, under the command of Gajah Mada, captured and killed the present Members of the Royal Family of
Pajajaran Pakuan Pajajaran (Sundanese language, Sundanese: ᮕᮊᮥᮝᮔ᮪ᮕᮏᮏᮛᮔ᮪; known as Dayeuh Pakuan/Pakwan or Pajajaran) was the fortified capital city of Sunda kingdom, Sunda Kingdom. The location roughly corresponds to modern Bogor cit ...
. In 1389, Hayam Wuruk died, and was succeeded by
Wikramawardhana Vikramavardhana (), often known by his regnal name Bhra Hyang Wisesa was a Javanese emperor and succeeded Hayam Wuruk as the fifth monarch of the Majapahit, reigning from 1389 to 1429. Early life His ksatria name was Raden Gagak Sali as stated i ...
. This resulted in the beginning of the decline of the Majapahit Empire. As the Majapahit Empire went into decline in the late 1300s, Islam moved to fill the vacuum.


Islamic era

The precise date when Islam entered Java remains unclear. This is due to the absence of a definite source regarding the arrival of Islam in Java. However, according to some experts, it is estimated that Islam entered Java around the 11th century, with the tomb of Fatimah Binti Maimun in the village of Leran in
Gresik Regency Gresik Regency ( older spelling: Grissee, ) is a regency within East Java Province of Indonesia. As well as a large part of the northern and western suburbs of the city of Surabaya, it includes the offshore Bawean Island, some 125 km to the ...
which dates from 475 AH (1085 AD). The tomb also shows that by the 11th century, the North coast of Java had been frequented by
Arab Arabs (,  , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world. Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...
traders from the Middle East. In addition, several Islamic tombs were discovered in
Trowulan Trowulan is an archaeological site in Trowulan (subdistrict), Trowulan Subdistrict, Mojokerto Regency, in the Indonesian province of East Java. It includes approximately 100 square kilometres and has been theorized to be the site of the eponymo ...
, located in what is now part of the
Mojokerto Regency Mojokerto Regency (; ) is a regency in East Java Province of Indonesia. It is part of the Surabaya metropolitan area (known as Gerbangkertosusila) which comprises Gresik Regency, Bangkalan Regency, Mojokerto Regency, Mojokerto City, Surabaya Ci ...
, near the site of the former Majapahit palace. In the 15th century, a Chinese Hui voyager named
Ma Huan Ma Huan (, Xiao'erjing: ) ( 1380–1460), courtesy name Zongdao (), pen name Mountain-woodcutter (會稽山樵), was a Chinese explorer, translator, and travel writer who accompanied Admiral Zheng He on three of his seven expeditions to the We ...
visited East Java. He then wrote the book '' Yingya Shenglan'', which tells the story of the countries he visited over the course of the
Ming treasure voyages The Ming treasure voyages were maritime expeditions undertaken by Ming China's treasure fleet between 1405 and 1433. The Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of the fleet in 1403. The grand project resulted in seven far-reaching ocean voy ...
. He mentioned that at that time, there were three different peoples inhabiting Eastern Java: Arabs from the Middle East, the ancestor of the modern
Arab Indonesians Arab Indonesians (), or colloquially known as Jama'ah, are Indonesian citizens of mixed Arab, mainly Hadharem from Yemen, and Indonesian descent. The ethnic group generally also includes those of Arab descent from other Middle Eastern Arabic sp ...
; Chinese Muslims originating from modern-day
Guangdong ) means "wide" or "vast", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture in AD 226. The name "''Guang''" ultimately came from Guangxin ( zh, labels=no, first=t, t= , s=广信), an outpost established in Han dynasty ...
province, and the native
Javanese people The Javanese ( , ; ) are an Austronesian peoples, Austronesian ethnic group native to the central and eastern part of the Indonesian island of Java. With more than 100 million people, Javanese people are the largest ethnic group in both Indo ...
. By the 16th century, the Majapahit Empire was defeated by Islamic kingdoms in Java, resulting in the exile of many Majapahit aristocrats to the neighbouring island of
Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
. Those who remained in Java were forced to convert to Islam, while a small pocket of isolated people living in the
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (; abbreviated as ) is a national park located in East Java, Indonesia, to the east of Malang and Lumajang, to the south of Pasuruan and Probolinggo, and to the southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East J ...
spread around
Pasuruan Pasuruan () is a city in East Java Province of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 186,262 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 208,006 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at ...
,
Probolinggo Probolinggo (, , Javanese language, Javanese: ''Kuthå Pråbålinggå'') is a city on the north coast of East Java province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 56.676 sq. km, and had a population of 217,062 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Stati ...
,
Malang Malang (; , ), historically known as Tumapel, is an inland List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of East Java. It has a history dating back to the age of the Singhasari, Singhasari K ...
, and
Lumajang Lumajang Regency () is a Regencies of Indonesia, Regency () located in the East Java province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,790.90 sq. km, and had a population of 1,006,458 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 1 ...
Regencies remains adhered to
Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
to this day. They are known as the
Tenggerese people The Tenggerese people are a sub-ethnic group of Javanese people, Javanese in East Java, eastern Java who are centered in the isolated Tengger mountains (Mount Bromo) in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in eastern Java. The majority of th ...
. Their population of roughly 100,000 is centered in 30 villages in the isolated Tengger mountains. When Islamic sultanates started ruling Java, cities in the northern coast started developing, becoming thriving ports. One of them was the town of
Tuban Tuban is a town located on the north coast of Java, in Tuban Regency (of which the town is the administrative capital), approximately west of Surabaya, the capital of East Java. Tuban Regency is surrounded by Lamongan Regency in the east, Bojo ...
, which was a wealthy and important port with many Chinese settlers. Being a port of the Majapahit and the point of departure for the
Moluccas The Maluku Islands ( ; , ) or the Moluccas ( ; ) are an archipelago in the eastern part of Indonesia. Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plate within the Molucca Sea Collision Zone. Geographically they are located in West Melanesi ...
, it exported an abundant supply of foodstuffs and imported a rich variety of products from the Moluccas. At the end of the 16th century, Islam had surpassed Hinduism and Buddhism as the dominant religion in Java. At first, the spread of Islam was very rapid and was accepted by ordinary people, until the
da'wah ' (, , "invitation", also spelt , , , or ) is the act of inviting people to Islam. The plural is () or (). Preachers who engage in dawah are known as da'i. Etymology literally means "issuing a summons" or "making an invitation". Grammat ...
entered and it was carried out by the rulers of the island.


European colonization

The relationship between the Javanese and European colonial powers began in 1522, with the signing of a treaty between the Sunda Kingdom and the
Portuguese Empire The Portuguese Empire was a colonial empire that existed between 1415 and 1999. In conjunction with the Spanish Empire, it ushered in the European Age of Discovery. It achieved a global scale, controlling vast portions of the Americas, Africa ...
in
Malacca Malacca (), officially the Historic State of Malacca (), is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state in Malaysia located in the Peninsular Malaysia#Other features, southern region of the Malay Peninsula, facing the Strait of Malacca ...
. After the failure of the treaty, the Portuguese presence was then limited to Malacca in the
Malay Peninsula The Malay Peninsula is located in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass runs approximately north–south, and at its terminus, it is the southernmost point of the Asian continental mainland. The area contains Peninsular Malaysia, Southern Tha ...
and the
Maluku Islands The Maluku Islands ( ; , ) or the Moluccas ( ; ) are an archipelago in the eastern part of Indonesia. Tectonics, Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plate within the Molucca Sea Collision Zone. Geographically they are located in West ...
. An expedition under the leadership of the Dutch explorer
Cornelis de Houtman Cornelis de Houtman (2 April 1565 – 11 September 1599) was a Dutch merchant seaman who commanded the first Dutch expedition to the East Indies. Although the voyage was difficult and yielded only a modest profit, Houtman showed that the ...
consisting of four ships in 1596 became the beginning of Dutch presence in the island. At the end of the 18th century, the Dutch had succeeded in expanding their influence on the Islamic sultanates in the interior of the island of Java. At the onset of the
Napoleonic Wars {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Napoleonic Wars , partof = the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , image = Napoleonic Wars (revision).jpg , caption = Left to right, top to bottom:Battl ...
, the Invasion of Java (1811), British conquered Java in 1811. Java briefly became part of the British Empire, with Sir Stamford Raffles as its Governor-General. In 1814, Britain returned Java to the Netherlands as stipulated in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814.


Japanese occupation and revolution

During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, there was persistent resistance against the Japanese rule. In Blitar, an uprising by ''Defenders of the Homeland, Pembela Tanah Air'' (PETA) led by Supriyadi, Moeradi, Halir Mangkudijoyo, and Soemarto occurred in early 1945, but it was crushed by the Japanese. Two weeks after the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, proclamation of independence,
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
established its own government under, Sudirman, Raden Sudirman. The formation of government in Surabaya caused disputes between the republican forces and Japanese troops, resulting in various skirmishes across the city. This was because when the Japanese surrendered, they were obliged to remain in power until the allied forces arrived. The arrival of allied forces in Surabaya created tensions with the newly established government of Indonesia, reaching peak on 10 November 1945 where a major Battle of Surabaya, battle between the Surabayan residents led by Sutomo and allied forces. The battle forced the governor, Suryo, on the advice of People's Security Army (TKR), to move the seat of the government to Mojokerto. A week later, the government retreated again to a more secure location in Kediri. However, security situation Kediri worsen until finally, in February 1947, the East Java provincial government fled to Malang. While the administration was based in Malang, Governor Ario Soerjo, Soerjo was replaced by R.P. Suroso, who was in turn replaced again by Dr. Moerdjani. On 21 July 1947, although still bound by the Linggadjati Agreement, a ceasefire agreement in effect since 14 October 1946, the Dutch commenced a military action, Operation Product, which led to deteriorating security conditions in Malang. The East Java provincial government moved again to Blitar. This military action ended after the Renville Agreement. However, this agreement reduced the territory controlled by the East Java provincial government. The Netherlands then turned the areas under its control into new federal states, the State of Madura and the State of East Java. Amid the difficulties faced by the government of Indonesia, a left-wing opposition group, ''Front Demokrasi Rakyat'' (FDR, People's Democratic Front) launched Madiun Affair, rebellion in Madiun on 18 September 1948. However, eventually this revolt was defeated by the Indonesian Army. On 19 December 1948, the Dutch launched Operation Kraai. Blitar, the seat of the East Java provincial government was attacked by the Dutch. Governor Moerdjani and his staff were forced to flee and joined the guerrillas on the slopes of Mount Wilis. Operation Kraai ended after the Roem–Van Roijen Agreement on 7 May 1949. Following the Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference, at which the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia, the Dutch withdrew its troops from East Java. East Java changed its status from a province into a state. However, on 25 February 1950, this was dissolved and became part of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia (1949–50), Republic of Indonesia. The State of Madura also decided to join Indonesia.


Contemporary era

Along with rapid growth of urbanization in East Java, the governments could not satisfy the population's needs for affordable housing, which led to the building of shanty towns along the rivers and rail tracks. Today, the shanty towns still exist; although some have been transformed into "better" housing. East Java has twice hosted the National Sports Week (Indonesia), Indonesian National Games () (PON), the 7th (1969) and 15th PONs (2000), and became the overall champions in 2000 and 2008.


Geography

East Java province borders the
Java Sea The Java Sea (, ) is an extensive shallow sea on the Sunda Shelf, between the Indonesian islands of Borneo to the north, Java to the south, Sumatra to the west, and Sulawesi to the east. Karimata Strait to its northwest links it to the South Ch ...
in the north, the Strait of Bali in the east, and the Indian Ocean in the south, as well as the
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
province in the west. The length of the east–west stretch of about 400 km. The width of the stretch of the north–south in the west about 200 km, but in the eastern part of narrower by about 60 km. Madura is the largest island in East Java, separated from the mainland Java by the Strait of Madura. Bawean Island is located about 150 km north of Java. In the east of Madura there are clusters of islands, the easternmost are the Kangean Islands and the northernmost are the Masalembu Islands. Off the south coast of Java there are two small islands namely Nusa Barong and Sempu (island), Sempu Island.


Geology

In physiographic of geology, East Java Province can be grouped into three zones: the southern zone (plato), the middle zone (volcanic), and the northern zone (folds). Lowlands and highlands in the middle (of Ngawi, Blitar, Malang, to Bondowoso) has a fairly fertile soil. In the northern part ( Bojonegoro, Tuban, Gresik, to Madura Island) lies the Kapur Utara mountains and the Kendeng mountains which are relatively barren. In the middle of the province stretch mountain ranges and volcanoes: On the border with Central Java is Mount Lawu (3,265 metres). Southeast from Madiun is Mount Wilis (2,169 metres), and Mount Liman (2,563 metres). In the middle of the corridor lies the Anjasmoro mountains with peaks Arjuno-Welirang, Mount Arjuno (3,339 metres), Mount Welirang (3,156 metres), Mount Anjasmoro (2,277 metres), Mount Kawi (2,551 metres), and Mount Kelud (1,731 metres); The mountains are located in most Kediri, Blitar, Malang, Pasuruan, Mojokerto and Jombang. The group has the peak of Mount Bromo Tengger (2,329 metres), and Mount Semeru (3,676 metres). Mount Semeru, which is also called Mahameru is the highest mountain in the island of Java. In the easternmost part if the province, there are two groups of mountains: the Iyang mountains with the peak Mount Argopuro (3,088 metres), the Ijen mountains with the peak Mount Raung (3344 metres) In the south there is a series of hills, that of the south coast of Pacitan, Trenggalek, Tulungagung, Blitar, Malang. the Kapur Selatan mountains is a continuation of a series of the Sewu mountains in Yogyakarta.


Water

Two of the most important rivers in East Java are the Brantas River (290 kilometres), and the Solo River (548 kilometers). The Brantas River has headwaters on the slopes Mount Arjuno near Batu, and flows through most areas in East Java, like Malang, Blitar, Tulungagung, Kediri, Jombang and Mojokerto. In Mojokerto, the Brantas River split into two: Kali Mas, and Porong; both empty into the Madura Strait. The Solo River has headwaters on the slopes of Mount Lawu which lies on the border between East Java and Central Java, and flows through a portion of the eastern part of Central Java and East Java, which eventually empties into the sea at Gresik. The Brantas River and Bengawan Solo are managed by Perum Jasa Tirta I. On the slopes of Mount Lawu near the border with Central Java are Sarangan, a natural lake. The main dam in East Java, among others Ir. Sutami and Selorejo Dam, which is used for irrigation, fish farming and tourism.


Climate

East Java has a Tropical monsoon climate, tropical monsoon and Tropical savanna climate, savanna climate at lower elevation and Oceanic climate#Subtropical highland variety (Cfb, Cwb), subtropical at higher elevation. Compared with the western part of Java Island, East Java in general has less rainfall. Average rainfall is 1,900 mm per year, with a rainy season during the 100 days. The average temperature ranges between 19–34 °C. Temperatures in the lower mountain areas, and even in areas Ranu Pani (slopes of Mount Semeru), temperatures can reach –4 °C, causing a frost and fall of light snow.


Government and administrative divisions

: East Java is divided into 29 Regencies of Indonesia, kabupaten (or regencies), and 9 Cities of Indonesia, kotamadya (or cities). This division has remained unchanged since the creation of the province, except for the creation of the new city of Batu on 21 June 2001 (by separation from Malang Regency). These regencies and cities with their areas and populations at the 2000, 2010 and 2020 Censuses, together with the official estimates as at mid 2024,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Timur Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.35) are listed below, grouped geographically into five (unofficial) sub-regions entirely for convenience of access. The sub-regions have no official status. These regencies and cities are divided as at 2023 into 666 districts (''kecamatan'') which are in turn composed of 8,494 administrative villages (rural ''desa'' and urban ''kelurahan''): Note: (a) the 2000 population of Batu City is included in the total for Malang Regency, from which it was separated on 21 June 2001. The province comprises eleven of Indonesia's 84 national electoral districts to elect members to the Indonesian Parliament, People's Representative Council. The province's 87 elected members are comprised as follows: * The East Java I Electoral District consists of the regency of Sidoarjo and the city of Surabaya, and elects 10 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java II Electoral District consists of the regencies of Probolinggo and Pasuruan, together with the cities of Probolinggo and Pasuruan, and elects 7 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java III Electoral District consists of the regencies of Banyuwangi, Bondowoso and Situbondo, and elects 7 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java IV Electoral District consists of the regencies of Lumajang and Jember, and elects 8 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java V Electoral District consists of the regency of Malang, together with the cities of Batu and Malang, and elects 8 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java VI Electoral District consists of the regencies of Blitar, Kediri and Tulungagung, together with the cities of Blitar and Kediri, and elects 9 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java VII Electoral District consists of the regencies of Pacitan, Ponorogo, Trenggalek, Magetan and Ngawi, and elects 8 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java VIII Electoral District consists of the regencies of Mojokerto, Jombang, Nganjuk and Madiun, together with the cities of Madiun and Mojokerto, and elects 10 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java IX Electoral District consists of the regencies of Bojonegoro and Tuban, and elects 6 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java X Electoral District consists of the regencies of Gresik and Lamongan, and elects 6 members to the People's Representative Council. * The East Java XI Electoral District consists of the regencies of Bangkalan, Pamekasan, Sampang and Sumenep (all on Madura Island), and elects 8 members to the People's Representative Council.


Demography

According to the 2000 census, East Java had 34,765,993 people, which increased to 37,476,757 people at the 2010 Census, and to 40,665,595 at the 2020 Census, making it the second most populous Indonesian province after West Java. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 41,527,930.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, ''Provinsi Jawa Timur Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.35) Akin to
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
, the region's birth rates are not necessarily any lower than the rest of Java, however due to net population outflows, especially in times of calamity, not limited to volcanic eruptions or droughts, the region has varying rates of population growth that are generally lower than national average. Ethnic Javanese dominate the Java mainland as well as the total population of the province overall, while ethnic Madurese inhabit Madura and the Kangean and Masalembu archipelagos, though centuries of migrations have led the Java mainland to have a larger proportion of Madurese people than Madura itself. Minorities include distinct Javanese ethnicities such as the Tenggerese people, Tengger people in the Mount Bromo region, and the Saminism Movement, Samin and the Osing people in
Banyuwangi Banyuwangi, previously known as Banjoewangi, is a large town and an administrative district (''kecamat5an'') which serves as the capital of Banyuwangi Regency at the far eastern end of the island of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 106,000 ...
. East Java also hosts a significant population of foreign ethnic groups, such as Chinese Indonesian, Chinese, Indians, and Arabs.


Ethnic and linguistic composition

Besides the national language ( Indonesian), the people of East Java predominantly use the Javanese in daily life. Javanese as spoken in the western part of East Java (''Kulonan'') is a similar dialect to the one spoken in
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
, with its hierarchy of high, medium, and low registers. In the eastern part, such as Surabaya, Malang, and others, a more egalitarian version of Javanese is spoken, with less regard of hierarchy and a richer vocabulary for vulgarity. The dialect is notable for its roughness compared to other dialects spoken elsewhere in Java (especially the Mataram dialect spoken around Surakarta and Yogyakarta, which is renowned for its smoothness) and contributes to the stereotype among Javanese people of East Javanese being "blunt" and "loud". Variants of Javanese are also used by Osing and Tengger minorities, the former utilizing a Balinese language, Balinese-influenced Javanese by virtue of its closeness with Bali island, and the latter speaking an archaic form of the language that retains many features now lost in other more-innovative Javanese dialects. Other than Javanese, minority language includes Madurese, spoken by around 4 million ethnic Madurese people inhabiting the Madura Islands; though they live practically next door with the Javanese, the language is actually more closer genetically to Balinese, and Sundanese language, Sundanese.


Religion

A long time ago, Hinduism and Buddhism dominated the island until
Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
gradually The spread of Islam in Indonesia, supplanted Hinduism in the 14th and 15th century. The last nobles and people of the fallen
Majapahit Majapahit (; (eastern and central dialect) or (western dialect)), also known as Wilwatikta (; ), was a Javanese people, Javanese Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhism, Buddhist thalassocracy, thalassocratic empire in Southeast Asia based on the island o ...
fled to
Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
. Islam spread from northern cities in Java where many Muslim traders from Gujarat, India stopped by. The eastern part of East Java, from Surabaya to Pasuruan, and the cities along the coast, and back to Banyuwangi to Jember, are known as the Eastern salient of Java, eastern salient, or "''Kawasan Tapal Kuda''" (the Horseshoe Region). A remnant of Hindu tradition and syncretic ''abangan'' exists because of Islamic and Hinduism acculturation in Java. File:Ampel_Mosque_in_2008.jpg, Islamic Ampel Mosque,
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
File:Kayutangan Street with Kayutangan Cathedral in the background, 2020 (cropped).jpg, Kayutangan Catholic Church, Catholic Church, Downtown
Malang Malang (; , ), historically known as Tumapel, is an inland List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of East Java. It has a history dating back to the age of the Singhasari, Singhasari K ...
File:Facade of East Java Christian Church, Mojowarno, Jombang, 2017-09-18.jpg, Traditional East Java Christian Church, Mojowarno, Jombang Regency, Jombang File:Bromo-s6-14-2b.jpg, Tengger (Hindu temple) Pura Luhur Poten, near Mount Bromo, Bromo Crater File:001 Main Temple (25595087247).jpg, Buddhism, Buddhist Maha Vihara Mojopahit,
Trowulan Trowulan is an archaeological site in Trowulan (subdistrict), Trowulan Subdistrict, Mojokerto Regency, in the Indonesian province of East Java. It includes approximately 100 square kilometres and has been theorized to be the site of the eponymo ...
,
Mojokerto Mojokerto ( (''Måjåkěrtå'')) is a city in East Java Province of Indonesia. It is located 40 km southwest of Surabaya, the provincial capital, and constitutes one of the component units of the Surabaya metropolitan area (known as Gerbang ...
File:Inside Kwan Sing Bio Temple, Tuban, East Java, Indonesia.jpg, Kwan Sing Bio Chinese temple architecture, Chinese Temple, Tuban Regency, Tuban


Economy

East Java is known as the hub and center economy of Regions of Indonesia, Central and Eastern Indonesia, and has a high economic significance, which contributes over 15% to the Gross domestic product, Gross Domestic Product of Indonesia.


Industry

East Java has a number of large industries, including the largest shipbuilding shipyard in Indonesia, PT PAL Indonesia, PT PAL in
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
, military industrial by Pindad in Malang Regency, Southern Malang, largest railway industry in Southeast Asia, Industri Kereta Api (INKA) in Madiun, PT Tjiwi Kimia, a paper mill company based in Sidoarjo Regency, Sidoarjo, Kertas Leces based in Probolinggo); cigarette factories (Wismilak Group, Wismilak in Surabaya, Gudang Garam in Kediri, Sampoerna in Surabaya and Bentoel Group, Bentoel in Malang). In Gresik there are Semen Indonesia, Semen Gresik, and Petrokimia Gresik. In
Tuban Tuban is a town located on the north coast of Java, in Tuban Regency (of which the town is the administrative capital), approximately west of Surabaya, the capital of East Java. Tuban Regency is surrounded by Lamongan Regency in the east, Bojo ...
there are the largest cement factories in Indonesia, namely Semen Indonesia (ex-Semen Gresik), and Semen Holcim and the Petrochemical Refinery Area. The government has established 12 industrial estate companies, including Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut (SIER) in Surabaya, Pasuruan Industrial Estate Rembang (PIER) in Pasuruan Regency, Madiun Industrial Estate Balerejo (MIEB) in Madiun, Ngoro Industrial Park (NIP) in the Mojokerto Regency, Jabon Industrial Zone in Sidoarjo Regency, and Lamongan Integrated Shorebase (LIS) in Lamongan Regency. Small industrial centers are spread throughout the districts / cities, and some of them have penetrated exports; The leather craft industry in the form of bags and shoes at Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo is one of the very famous Small and medium-sized enterprises, small industries.


Energy and power plant

The Cepu Block, one of the largest oil producers in Indonesia, is refined in Bojonegoro Regency, Bojonegoro. The power plant in East Java is managed by PT Pembangkit Jawa Bali (PJB), which includes hydroelectricity power plant (Ir. Sutami, Selorejo, Bening), thermal power station in Paiton, Probolinggo Regency; which provides electricity to the Java-Bali system. Some regions develop Micro hydropower plant, micro hydro power plants, and solar energy.


Transportation


Roads

East Java is crossed by several national roads as primary arterial roads, including the northern coastal national road or locally known as North Coast Road (Java), ''pantura'' road (Anyer-Jakarta-
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
-
Banyuwangi Banyuwangi, previously known as Banjoewangi, is a large town and an administrative district (''kecamat5an'') which serves as the capital of Banyuwangi Regency at the far eastern end of the island of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 106,000 ...
), and inland national roads (Jakarta-Bandung-Yogyakarta-Surabaya). The expressway network in East Java covers the Surabaya–Gempol Toll Road, Surabaya-Gempol Toll Road; Gempol–Pandaan Toll Road, Gempol-Pandaan; Pandaan-Malang Toll Road, Pandaan-Malang; Gempol–Pasuruan Toll Road, Gempol-Pasuruan; and Pasuruan–Probolinggo Toll Road, Pasuruan-Probolinggo which connects the northern and middle East Java regions with the southern and Eastern salient of Java, eastern salient (''tapal kuda''), the Surabaya–Gresik Toll Road, Surabaya-Gresik Toll Road that connects the middle and southern East Java to the north, and the Surabaya–Mojokerto Toll Road, Surabaya-Mojokerto Toll Road; Kertosono–Mojokerto Toll Road, Mojokerto-Kertosono; Ngawi-Kertosono; and Solo-Ngawi which connects East Java with Central Java.
Suramadu Bridge The Suramadu Bridge (, Javanese language, Javanese: ''Kreteg Suramadu'', Madurese language, Madurese: ''Tètè Suramadu''; from the abbreviation of ''Surabaya–Madura Bridge'') is a cable-stayed bridge between Surabaya on the island of Java (is ...
that crosses the Madura Strait connects Surabaya and Madura Island. In the near future, the construction of the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi Toll Road will be realized, which is the final segment of the Trans-Java Toll Road, Trans Java Toll Road, the Krian-Legundi-Bunder-Manyar Toll Road that connects the industrial estates in the city of Surabaya; Sidoarjo Regency; and
Gresik Regency Gresik Regency ( older spelling: Grissee, ) is a regency within East Java Province of Indonesia. As well as a large part of the northern and western suburbs of the city of Surabaya, it includes the offshore Bawean Island, some 125 km to the ...
, as well as plans for the Gresik-Tuban Toll Road that connects East Java with cities on the northern coast of Java.


Railways

The railway system in East Java has been built since the Dutch East Indies, colonial era of the Dutch East Indies. The railway line in East Java consists Greater Surabaya Commuter Line, Surabaya Commuterline of the northern line (Surabaya Pasar Turi railway station, Surabaya Pasar Turi-Semarang-Cirebon-Jakarta), the middle lane (Surabaya Gubeng railway station, Surabaya Gubeng-Yogyakarta-Bandung-Jakarta), the southern ring railway line (Surabaya Gubeng-Malang railway station, Malang-Blitar railway station, Blitar-Kertosono-Surabaya), and east line (Surabaya Gubeng-Probolinggo-Jember railway station, Jember-Ketapang railway station (Banyuwangi), Ketapang). East Java also has a commuter train transportation system with Bojonegoro railway station, Bojonegoro-Surabaya-Sidoarjo railway station, Sidoarjo, Surabaya-Sidoarjo-Porong, Surabaya-Lamongan, Surabaya-Mojokerto, Surabaya-Malang, and Jember-Banyuwangi routes. At present, the Surabaya Gubeng-Kertosono-Madiun line is being developed into a Double-track railway, double track and is planned to be completed by the end of 2018 or early 2019 and ready for use in mid-2019.


Harbors

Port of Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Perak International Port is Indonesia's main hub port in Northern
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
. Other international ports in East Java include Gresik Port and Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate in
Gresik Regency Gresik Regency ( older spelling: Grissee, ) is a regency within East Java Province of Indonesia. As well as a large part of the northern and western suburbs of the city of Surabaya, it includes the offshore Bawean Island, some 125 km to the ...
, Tanjung Tembaga Probolinggo Port and Banyuwangi (town), Banyuwangi Port. National ports are Bawean Port in Gresik Regency, Pasuruan Port in Pasuruan City, Sapudi Port in Sumenep Regency, Kalbut Port and Anchor Port in Situbondo Regency, Sapeken Port in Sumenep Regency, Kangean Port in Sumenep Regency, and Muncar Port in Banyuwangi Regency. East Java has a number of ferry ports, including Ujung Port (Surabaya), Kamal (Bangkalan, Madura) Port, Ketapang Port (
Banyuwangi Banyuwangi, previously known as Banjoewangi, is a large town and an administrative district (''kecamat5an'') which serves as the capital of Banyuwangi Regency at the far eastern end of the island of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 106,000 ...
), Kalianget Port (Sumenep Regency, Sumenep), and Jangkar Port (Situbondo). Ujung-Kamal route connects Java island (Surabaya) with Madura island, Ketapang Ferry Port connects
Java Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
Island with
Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...
, Jangkar-Kalianget Route connects Java (Situbondo) with Madura Island, and Kalianget also connects Madura Island with small islands in the Java Sea (Kangean and Masalembu).


Airports

Juanda International Airport in Sidoarjo Regency, located in the Gerbangkertosusila, suburb of Surabaya and connects the city with major cities in Indonesia and most major cities outside Indonesia. Other international airport is Banyuwangi International Airport and Dhoho International Airport, which connects the city in Indonesia. In Malang, there is a regional airport that connects the city with Jakarta and Bali, namely Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport. In addition, there are other public airports in the province such as Notohadinegoro Airport in Jember Regency, Iswahyudi Air Force Base in Madiun Regency, Dhoho Airport in Kediri Regency, and Trunojoyo Airport in Sumenep Regency.


Art and culture


Art

East Java has a number of distinctive art. Ludruk is one of the East Javanese art is quite well known, namely the art of the stage that generally all the players are male. Unlike the Ketoprak which tells the life of the palace, ludruk tells the daily life of ordinary people, often spiced with humor and social criticism, and generally opened with Dance Remo, and parikan. Currently traditional ludruk groups can be found in the area of Surabaya, Mojokerto and Jombang; although its presence increasingly defeated by modernization. Reog from Ponorogo is a typical art that has been patented since 2001, and has now also become the icon of East Javanese art. Staging reog accompanied by horse braid (kuda lumping) are accompanied by elements of the occult. Famous arts of East Java include puppet purwa East Javanese style, mask mastermind in Madura, and made. In the area Mataraman Middle Javanese arts such as Ketoprak, and shadow puppets are quite popular. Famous legend of East Java, among others Damarwulan, Angling Darma, and Sarip Tambak-Oso. Traditional dance in East Java can be generally grouped into Middle Javanese style, East Javanese style, Osing style and Madurese styles. Classical dances include gandrung, gambyong dance, dance srimpi, dance bondan, and wanderer. There is also a sort of lion dance culture in East Java. Art exists in two districts namely, Bondowoso, and Jember. Singo Wulung is a distinctive culture Bondowoso. While Jember have the tiger kadhuk. Both are art that is rarely encountered.


Culture

Culture and customs of Javanese in the western part of East Java received a lot of influence from the Middle Javanese, so this area is known as Mataraman, indicating that the area was once the territory of the Sultanate of Mataram. The area includes the former residency of Madiun (Madiun, Ngawi, Magetan, Ponorogo, Pacitan), ex-residency Kediri (Kediri, Tulungagung, Blitar, Trenggalek, Nganjuk), and part of Bojonegoro. As is the case in Central Java, wayang kulit, and Ketoprak quite popular in this region. East Java's west coast region is heavily influenced by the Islamic culture. This area covers an area of Tuban, Lamongan and Gresik. In the past the north coast of East Java is the entry area, and the center of the development of Islam. Five of the nine members of the walisongo are buried in this area. In the area of ex-residency of Surabaya (including Sidoarjo, Mojokerto and Jombang), and ex-residency Malang, had little cultural influence Mataraman, considering this region is an area arek (the term for offspring Kenarok), especially in the area of Malang that make this area difficult to be affected by Mataraman culture. Customs in horse hooves region heavily influenced by the culture of Madura, given the magnitude of Madura tribe population in the region. Osing social mores of the culture is a blend of Java, Madura and Bali. While the Tenggerese tribe is heavily influenced by Hindu culture. Villagers in East Java, as well as in Central Java, has ties based on friendship, and territorial. Various ceremonies were held, among others: tingkepan (ceremony gestational age of seven months for the first child), babaran (ceremony before the birth of the baby), sepasaran (ceremony after the baby was five days), Pitonan (ceremony after the baby was seven months old), circumcision, fiancé. East Java's population generally embraced monogamy. Prior to application, the men doing the show nako'ake (ask if the girl already had a husband), once that is done peningsetan (application). The wedding ceremony was preceded by a gathering or kepanggih. Communities on the west coast: Tuban, Lamongan, Gresik, even Bojonegoro has a habit of women's families applying common man (Ganjuran), different from the usual habits of other regions in Indonesia, where the men apply for women. And generally men will then be entered into the family of the woman. To pray for the deceased person, usually a family party did send donga on day 1, 3rd, 7th, 40th, 100th, 1 year and 3 years after death.


Education

East Java is the province with the highest number of public universities in Indonesia. Three major cities for universities are
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
,
Malang Malang (; , ), historically known as Tumapel, is an inland List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of East Java. It has a history dating back to the age of the Singhasari, Singhasari K ...
, and Jember; there is also a university at Bangkalan on Madura island. Among them, notable university which are: * Airlangga University * Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology * Brawijaya University * State University of Surabaya * State University of Malang * Trunojoyo University * University of Jember * Sunan Ampel State Islamic University Surabaya, UIN Sunan Ampel * Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University Malang, UIN Malang * University of Surabaya * Wijaya Kusuma University, Surabaya, Wijaya Kusuma University * Widya Mandala Catholic University * Petra Christian University Another important form of education that is available in most cities in East Java is the ''pesantren.'' This is a kind of socio-education organized by Ulama, Islamic clerics, and associated with local or national Muslim organizations. Jombang Regency, Jombang and Ponorogo Regency, Ponorogo is a famous region for its pesantren. and the Indonesian Naval Academy (''Akademi Angkatan Laut'') located in Surabaya.


Media

East Java supports several regional media outlets. Local newspapers with provincial news reach their readers earlier than their competitors from Jakarta. In the spirit of "providing more news from around readers", most newspapers even issue municipal sections which are different among their distribution areas. More startups media also develop for younger generation. *Jawa Pos Group, one of the major newspaper groups in Indonesia, based in Surabaya *''Surya'', newspaper based in Surabaya (owned by Kompas Group) *:id:Suara Surabaya, Suara Surabaya (E100 FM), most famous local radio and internet news in Surabaya and East Java *IDN Times, multiplatform media for millennials and generation z people


Tourism

Greater Malang, Malang metropolitan region is a famous tourist destination in Indonesia with the City of Batu as its center. East Java has a number of interesting sights. One of the tourist icon is Mount Bromo in East Java, which is inhabited by the Tengger tribe, where the ceremony is held every year Kasada. In the mountainous region of Tengger also there is a waterfall that is Madakaripura which is the last hermitage Mahapatih Gajah Mada before serving in the kingdom of Majapahit. Madakaripura Waterfall has a height of about 200 meters, which makes it the highest waterfall on the island of Java and the second highest in Indonesia. East Java also has some other mountainous tourist area of which is Malang Raya mountainous area known as the natural mountain tourist area that includes Malang and Batu. Tretes and Trawas mountainous areas, are also known to have characteristics such as Puncak area in West Java province. Other natural attractions in East Java is the National Park (4 of 12 National Parks in Java) and Taman Safari Indonesia II in Prigen. East Java is also contained relics of history in the classical era. Trowulan sites in Mojokerto, once the center of the Majapahit Kingdom, there are dozens of temples and tombs of the kings of Majapahit. Other temples spread throughout much of East Java, including Penataran temple in Blitar. In Madura, Sumenep is the center of the kingdom of Madura, where there are Kraton Sumenep, museums, and the tombs of the kings of Madura (Asta Tinggi Sumenep). East Java is known for its coastal scenery. On the south coast there is the Prigi Beach, Pelang Beach and Pasir Putih Beach in Trenggalek, Popoh Beach in Tulungagung, Ngliyep Beach, and tourism areas such as the Jawa Timur Park, Jatim Park, Museum Angkut, Batu Secret Zoo, Batu Night Spectacular, Eco Green Park in Batu, and the Watu Ulo Beach in Jember. East Java also has a beach that the waves is one of the best in the world, namely the Plengkung Beach located in Banyuwangi. In addition there Kenjeran Beach in Surabaya, and the White Sand Beach in Situbondo. Lake in East Java, among others Sarangan in Magetan, Ir. Sutami Dam in Malang, and Selorejo Dam in Blitar. In the coastal area of the north there are a number of tombs of the saints, which are places of pilgrimage for Muslims. Five of the nine ''walisongo'' are buried in East Java: Sunan Ampel in Surabaya, Sunan Giri, and Maulana Malik Ibrahim in Gresik, Sunan Drajat in Paciran (Lamongan), and Sunan Bonang in Tuban. In the northern coastal region, there are a number of caves, including Maharani Cave in Lamongan and Tuban Akbar Cave and Cave Gong located in Pacitan. Other pilgrimage sites include the tomb of Indonesia's first president Sukarno, in Blitar, as well as the tomb of the fourth Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur, in Jombang. Malang Metropolitan Region is a leading tourist destination in Indonesia with the Kota Batu, Indonesia, City of Batu as its center. Malang has various tourist areas including volcanoes to beaches, as well as man-made tour of the history of travel to an international-class theme park with the support of inter-provincial transportation via trains, buses, and airplanes are available in Malang. Surabaya is the center of government, entertainment, financial, and business center of East Java, where there are Tugu Pahlawan, the Museum MPU Tantular, Surabaya Zoo, Submarine Monument, Ampel Region, and the Downtown Tunjungan area. File:East Java Park, Batu, Malang.jpg, Jawa Timur Park in Batu (city), Batu File:Indonesia Madakaripura Waterfall.jpg, Madakaripura waterfall in
Probolinggo Probolinggo (, , Javanese language, Javanese: ''Kuthå Pråbålinggå'') is a city on the north coast of East Java province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 56.676 sq. km, and had a population of 217,062 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Stati ...
File:Kawah Ijen crater.jpg,
Ijen Map of Ijen Crater, where sulfur is mined The Ijen volcano complex is a group of composite volcanoes located on the border between Banyuwangi Regency and Bondowoso Regency of East Java, Indonesia. It is known for its blue fire, acidic cr ...
crater in Banyuwangi (city), Banyuwangi File:Kedung tumpang.jpg, Kedung Tumpang beach in
Tulungagung Tulungagung Regency (pronounced ) is a regency ''(kabupaten)'' of East Java Province, Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,144.53 km2 and had a population of 990,159 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 1,089,775 at the ...
File:Koleksi House Of Sampoerna.jpg, House of Sampoerna,
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
File:Wringin Lawang, Trowulan.jpg,
Trowulan Trowulan is an archaeological site in Trowulan (subdistrict), Trowulan Subdistrict, Mojokerto Regency, in the Indonesian province of East Java. It includes approximately 100 square kilometres and has been theorized to be the site of the eponymo ...
, the capital of the Majapahit, Majapahit Empire, is one of the largest archaeological sites in East Java File:Makam Maulana Malik Ibrahim Tomb Complex.jpg, Maulana Malik Ibrahim tomb complex File:Sempu.jpg, Sempu (island), Sempu Island, a tourist island in Malang Regency


National parks

*Meru Betiri National Park – Between Jember and Banyuwangi districts, this park covers . Hard to get to, it contains coastal rainforest and scenery and is home to abundant wildlife. *Alas Purwo National Park – This park is formed by the Blambangan Peninsula (southeastern Java). Comprising mangrove, Tropical savanna, savanna, lowland monsoon forests and beaches, the park's name means ''First Forest'' in Javanese. Javanese legend says that the earth first emerged from the ocean here. *
Baluran National Park Baluran National Park is located in Situbondo Regency, East Java, Indonesia. It has a relatively dry climate and mainly consists of savanna (40%), as well as lowland forests, mangrove forests and hills, with Mount Baluran (1,247m) as its highes ...
– This national park is located in northeastern Java, known as ''The Little Africa'', formerly extensive savanna has been largely replaced by Acacia. *
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (; abbreviated as ) is a national park located in East Java, Indonesia, to the east of Malang and Lumajang, to the south of Pasuruan and Probolinggo, and to the southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East J ...
– Located in East Java at the region of Probolinggo and Pasuruan, from Surabaya the capital city of East Java province. Mount Bromo is one of the great hiking and trekking destinations for overseas tourists. The scenic view of Bromo also attracts hundreds of photo enthusiasts to see the views there. *—This is located between
Pasuruan Pasuruan () is a city in East Java Province of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 186,262 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 208,006 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at ...
,
Mojokerto Mojokerto ( (''Måjåkěrtå'')) is a city in East Java Province of Indonesia. It is located 40 km southwest of Surabaya, the provincial capital, and constitutes one of the component units of the Surabaya metropolitan area (known as Gerbang ...
and Batu, East Java, Batu. Covered Mount Arjuno-Welirang, Arjuna, Mount Arjuno-Welirang, Welirang, Mount Mount Penanggungan, Penanggungan, Mount Anjasmoro, Mount Mount Kawi, Kawi, and Mt. Kelud. *Purwodadi Botanical Garden is a research centre in
Pasuruan Pasuruan () is a city in East Java Province of Java, Indonesia. It had a population of 186,262 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 208,006 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at ...
, East Java, Indonesia. It has an area of and more than 10,000 types of trees and many plant collections. Callus (cell biology), Callus cultures of ''Agave amaniensis'' by Setia Dewi were taken in 1988.


Cuisine

Some typical East Javanese dishes include Bakso Malang, Rawon, and Tahu Campur Lamongan. Surabaya is famous for Rojak Cingur, Semanggi, Lontong Balap, clam satay, mussels, and rice cakes. Malang is popular for a variety of processed fruits (especially apples), tempeh crisps, Bakpao telo, Bakso Malang, rawon, and Cwie noodles. Kediri is famous for tahu takwa, tahu pong, tungku fried rice and getuk pisang. Madiun is known for pecel madiun, and as a producer of Brem. The subdistrict of Babat, Lamongan is famous as a producer of wingko. Bondowoso is also well known as a producer of Tapai, tape. Gresik famous is for nasi krawu, otak-otak bandeng, and . Sidoarjo is famous for shrimp crackers, shrimp paste, and petis. Ngawi is famous for tempeh chips, tahu tepo, and . Blitar has the typical food that is pecel. Rambutan is also native to Blitar. Banyuwangi is famous for sego tempong, salad soup, and pecel rawon. Jember have special food made of tape that is Suwar-suwir and tape proll that is very sweet. Corn is known as one of the staple food of the Madurese, while cassava is processed into gaplek, a staple food used to be a part of the population in Pacitan and Trenggalek. Tulungagung is famous for its , goat satay and pati rice. Ponorogo is famous for Satay Ponorogo, Tiwul Goreng and Dawet Jabung, Probolinggo is famous for Ketan Kratok, Olok Crab, Glepungan Rice and Kraksaan Soto.


Sports

East Java is the province with the highest number of Professional sports, professional Association football, football clubs in Indonesia and also province with clubs in top division league. By 2023–24 Liga 1 (Indonesia), Liga 1 (Indonesia), Indonesian First League clubs from East Java are Persik Kediri, Persik, Madura United F.C., Madura United, Arema F.C., Arema, and Persebaya Surabaya, Persebaya. Arema and Persebaya are football clubs from East Java who have become top teams in Indonesia by repeatedly winning championships and national competitions and often as Football in Indonesia, representatives of Indonesia in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup between clubs in Asia. East Java once hosted the National Sports Week (Indonesia), Indonesian National Games (), namely PON VII in 1969, and PON XV in 2000, and became the overall champion of PON in 2000, and 2008. Since 1996 the East Java Football Team always won medals gold was included in 2008, and was recorded as the fourth gold medal received consecutively. East Java has several professional basketball clubs, mainly in
Surabaya Surabaya is the capital city of East Java Provinces of Indonesia, province and the List of Indonesian cities by population, second-largest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta. Located on the northeastern corner of Java island, on the Madura Strai ...
. The famous basketball clubs namely CLS Knights Indonesia and Pacific Caesar Surabaya, Pacific Cesar Surabaya. East Java is also the venue for several bicycle racing events namely Tour de East Java and Tour de Ijen. Other sports such as volleyball in East Java also have superior clubs, namely Surabaya Samator and Gresik Petrokimia Pupuk Indonesia. Apart from that, in the futsal sport there are two well-known clubs, namely Bintang Timur Surabaya and Unggul FC Malang. In badminton, there is the Surya Naga Surabaya club which also contributes a number of national badminton athletes.


International relations

East Java is twinned with: * Western Australia, Australia ''1993''. * Shanghai, China ''2006''.


See also

*Districts of East Java


References


Bibliography

* * * * *


External links

* * {{Authority control 1950 establishments in Indonesia East Java, Provinces of Indonesia States and territories established in 1950