Java

Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in the country of Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea to the north. Java has many people—about 156.9 million in mid 2024. It is the world's most populous island. About 56% of the Indonesian population live here, even though Java is only 7% of the country's land area. The capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta, is on Java's northwestern coast.

Many important events in Indonesia's history happened on Java. It was the center of powerful empires, Islamic sultanates, and the Dutch East Indies. Java also helped in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the 1930s and 1940s. Today, Java is very important to Indonesia in many ways. Four of Indonesia's eight UNESCO world heritage sites are on Java. These include Ujung Kulon National Park, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Sangiran Early Man Site.

The island of Java was formed by volcanic eruptions. These were caused by the subduction of the Australian Plate under the Sunda Plate. Java is the 13th largest island in the world and the fifth largest in Indonesia. It covers about 132,598.77 square kilometres. A chain of volcanic mountains runs along the island.

People on Java speak several languages. These include Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, and Betawi. The main groups of people are the Javanese in the central and eastern parts and the Sundanese in the west. Most people are Muslim, but Java has people of many different religions, ethnicities, and cultures. Java is divided into four provinces: Banten, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. There are also two special regions: Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Java

See also: Zabag (ancient territory) and Al-Wakwak

The name "Java" might come from different places. One idea is that it is named after the jawa plant, a kind of grain. Another idea is that it comes from an old word meaning "home." The name Java is found in old stories and books from many places, including Sanskrit, Tamil, and Chinese texts. Different groups used many names for the island over time, showing it was important for trade and culture.

Geography

See also: Volcanoes of Java

Java lies between Sumatra to the west and Bali to the east. Borneo is to the north, and the island of Christmas Island is far to the south. It is the world's 13th largest island and is surrounded by the Java Sea to the north, the Sunda Strait to the west, the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Bali Strait and Madura Strait to the east.

Java has many mountains, with some being active volcanoes. The highest mountain is Mount Semeru, and the most active volcano is Mount Merapi. The mountains create valleys where people grow rice, making Java very fertile. Java is also famous for its coffee, which was first grown there in 1699. The island covers about 132,598.77 square kilometres, and the longest river is the Solo River, which flows from the Lawu volcano to the Surabaya area on the coast.

Natural environment

Java is a beautiful island with many different kinds of plants and animals. Its natural environment is a tropical rainforest. There are mangrove forests along the north coast and rocky cliffs on the south. The island changes from wet, thick forests in the west to drier savanna in the east.

Java was once home to many special animals, such as the Javan rhinoceros, Javan banteng, and Javan leopard. The island also had many birds, like the Javan green magpie and Javan peafowl. Today, some of these animals are in danger, but several national parks help protect them, including Ujung Kulon and Bromo Tengger Semeru.

History

Homo erectus presence

Fossilised remains of Homo erectus, called the "Java Man", were found near the Bengawan Solo River. These fossils are 1.3 million years old. H. erectus came to Eurasia about 1.8 million years ago. They lived in areas that looked like open grasslands but flooded often. We know they were there from plants such as grass, ferns, Ficus, and Indigofera. Different groups of H. erectus lived on Java at different times. The last group lived around 117,000 to 108,000 years ago.

After the arrival of modern humans

Java's soil and rain helped people grow rice using good farming ways. This led to small kingdoms. The island's rivers made travel hard, so villages stayed separate. Only a few rivers, like the Brantas river and the Solo river, allowed longer trips. Stories from Java say a king named Aji Saka came in 78 AD and helped start early Javanese society.

Hindu-Buddhist (Classic) period

From the 5th to the 15th century, Java was shaped by Hindu and Buddhist cultures. Early kingdoms like Taruma and Heling kingdom were there. The Mataram kingdom, started in the 8th century, built famous temples such as Borobudur and Prambanan. Later kingdoms like Kediri, Singhasari, and Majapahit ruled eastern Java. Majapahit began in 1293 by King Wijaya. It grew strong under leaders like Hayam Wuruk and his prime minister Gajah Mada.

Spread of Islam and rise of Islamic sultanates

Islam came to Java in the 16th century. Coastal cities like Surabaya and Gresik were early to adopt Islam. Demak became the first Muslim kingdom to rule much of Java. Later, kingdoms such as Cirebon and Banten grew powerful. In the 17th century, the inland kingdom of Mataram became the main power in Java under Sultan Agung of Mataram.

Colonial periods

Java met European powers in 1522 with a treaty between the Sunda kingdom and the Portuguese in Malacca. The Dutch arrived later and slowly took control of Java. They influenced local rulers and used Java to grow rice. During the Napoleonic Wars, the British controlled Java for a short time but it returned to Dutch rule in 1816. The Dutch built roads and new farming ways, helping the population grow.

Independence

Java was important in Indonesia's fight for independence from Dutch rule. Nationalism grew in the early 1900s, and after World War II, Java led the battle for independence. Indonesia became independent in 1949.

Administration

See also: Public administration of Java

Java is divided into four provinces and two special regions: Banten, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta, and East Java. Each area has its own main city. For example, Bandung is the main city of West Java and Surabaya is the main city of East Java. East Java also includes Madura Island. Java has many smaller islands nearby as well.

Demographics

Java has been home to many different groups of people throughout history. The island was first led by an elite class, while most people worked in farming and fishing. Over time, people from South Asia, the Middle East, and China came to live there, adding to Java’s rich cultural mix.

Today, Java is the most crowded island in the world, with about 156.9 million people. It is a very busy place, with most of the land used for cities. The island gets more crowded each year because it is the center of business, learning, and culture in Indonesia. Many people from other parts of the country move here looking for opportunities.

Economy

Java's economy began with rice farming, which helped the island grow and supported many people. Long ago, Java was known for having extra rice to share with others. Traders from India and China visited Java, bringing and taking goods.

Later, Dutch rulers introduced new crops like sugarcane, rubber, coffee, tea, and quinine. Javanese coffee became famous around the world, and now when people say "Java," they often think of coffee. Today, Java is Indonesia's most developed island, with busy cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and Bandung. The island has many roads, railways, and highways to help people and goods move around easily.