Palangka Raya

Palangka Raya
City
Other transcription(s)

Sukarno Monument, Palangka Raya

Seal
Palangka Raya

Location of Palangka Raya in Kalimantan

Coordinates: 2°12′36″S 113°55′12″E / 2.21000°S 113.92000°E / -2.21000; 113.92000Coordinates: 2°12′36″S 113°55′12″E / 2.21000°S 113.92000°E / -2.21000; 113.92000
Country Indonesia
Province Central Kalimantan
Founded 17 July 1957
Government
  Mayor Riban Satia
Area
  Total 2,678.51 km2 (1,034.18 sq mi)
Elevation 5 m (16 ft)
Population (2014)
  Total 236,601
Time zone WIB (UTC+7)
Area code(s) +62 717
Website palangkaraya.go.id

Palangka Raya , is the capital of the Indonesian province Central Kalimantan, also famously known as Central Borneo situated between the Kahayan and the Sabangau rivers. The closest airport serving the city is Tjilik Riwut.[1]

The city had a population of 220,962 inhabitants at the 2010 Census[2] (compared with 158,770 at the previous Census in 2000), with an average population density of 92.1 per km² (Indonesian Population Census 2010 results). The latest official estimate (as at January 2014) is 236,601.

The city was built in 1957 (Emergency Law 10/1957 on the establishment of the Autonomous Region Central Kalimantan Level I) on wilderness that opened through the Pahandut village alongside Kahayan river banks. Palangka Raya is the largest city by land area in Indonesia.[3]Most of the area is still forested, including protected forests, nature conservation areas, and Tangkiling Forest.[4]

History

Cityscape of Palangka Raya with the Kahayan River in the foreground

Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan) province was established on 23 May 1957. The First Indonesian President, Sukarno, initiated construction of the city of Palangka Raya, the capital of the new province. Initially, Palangka Raya was prepared as the new capital of Indonesia to replace Jakarta; a proposal that was discussed until recently.[5]

The first pillar of Palangka Raya City development was done by the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the time, Soekarno on 17 July 1957 marked the inauguration of the monument to the provincial capital of Central Kalimantan in Pahandut. Then, based on Law No. 21 of 1958 that which was formerly Provincial Capital Pahandut was renamed to Palangka Raya.[6]

Etymology

Palangka Raya consists of a combination of two words which are from Dayak Ngaju Language and a word of Sanskrit. Palangka (Ngaju) means a sacred site and raya (Sanskrit) means vast, so Palangka Raya means a vast sacred site.[7]

Administrative districts

Prior to decentralization in 2001, Palangka Raya had two administrative districts, namely Pahandut and Bukit Batu. Now, Palangka Raya consists of five administrative districts: Pahandut, Jekan Raya, Bukit Batu, Sebangau, and Rakumpit.

Kahayan Bridge, Palangka Raya

Transport

An aviation academy has been set up by Lion Air.[8]

The future capital of Indonesia

In 1957, when President Soekarno inaugurated a monument in the place that was then still called Pahandut, he expressed his desire to make the city the new republic’s future capital.[9]

References

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