Palu

Palu is the capital and largest city of Central Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. It lies on the northwestern coast of Sulawesi Island at the mouth of the Palu River. The city covers an area of 395.06 km² (152.53 sq mi) and, according to the 2020 census, has a population of 373,218 people, making it the third-most populous city on the island after Makassar and Manado.

Originally a small agricultural town, Palu became the capital of Central Sulawesi Province in 1953. The city is an important center for finance, government, and education in the region. It has the province's main port, its biggest airport, and several public universities.

However, Palu is located on the Palu-Koro Fault, which makes it prone to earthquakes. In 2018, a major earthquake struck the area, causing widespread damage and soil liquefaction. This event led local authorities to consider moving the city to a safer location instead of rebuilding in the same spot.

History

Palu started as a small farming town and was not as important as the nearby town of Donggala. People from villages near Ulayo Mountain founded Palu. There are different stories about how the city got its name. One story says it comes from a word meaning "raised land." Another says it comes from the name of local bamboo plants.

In the early days, the area around Palu went through different time periods. During the Tomalanggai Era, people were mostly hunters and gatherers, and groups often fought over scarce resources. Leaders called Tomalanggai had a lot of power, which caused many wars. Later, during the Tomanuru Era, life became more peaceful, and villages had more organized leaders.

When the Dutch arrived in the 1800s, they made agreements with local kingdoms. This brought the area under Dutch control, although there were some fights against this rule.

During World War II, a movement called the Merah Putih Movement began in the area, showing support for Indonesian independence. After the war, when Japan took over, this movement ended. After Japan surrendered, local leaders helped spread news about Indonesia’s independence.

In the 1950s and 60s, Palu grew quickly, especially after a big port and an airport were built. Palu became the capital of Central Sulawesi Province in 1964.

On 28 September 2018, a big earthquake and tsunami struck the city, causing severe damage. The city is still being rebuilt.

Geography

Palu is a city in Indonesia, found in a valley near Palu Bay. The ground there is made of soft soil and sand carried down by the Palu River. This soft ground can sometimes move or shift during strong earthquakes.

Palu has a warm, wet climate all year, though it can feel a bit drier because the nearby mountains block some of the rain.

Governance

Administrative division

Palu was divided into four districts during the 2010 census in Indonesia. By 2011, these were reorganized into eight districts. The table below shows the areas, populations from the 2010 and 2020 censuses, and official estimates from mid-2024 for each district, along with the number of urban villages in each.

Local government

Like all cities in Indonesia, Palu's local government is managed by a mayor and vice mayor, along with a city parliament. The mayor and vice mayor, as well as parliament members, are chosen by the city's residents in elections. The mayor appoints leaders for each district based on recommendations from the city secretary.

Politics

Palu is part of the 1st Central Sulawesi electoral district and has six representatives in the provincial parliament out of 45 seats. The city is divided into four electoral districts, and the city parliament has 35 seats. As the capital of Central Sulawesi, Palu is where the governor's office and the provincial parliament are located.

Economy

Palu's economy faced challenges in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a drop in growth. Before this, the city had been growing steadily. Key parts of the economy include construction, administration, and communication services.

Historically, Palu was known for farming, especially copra production. Today, farming still plays a role, with crops like rice, maize, and various vegetables being grown. The city also has many chickens and some fishing industries. Manufacturing includes many companies that process goods from other areas, such as nickel and cocoa.

Palu, as the capital of Central Sulawesi, has many hotels, though tourism has decreased in recent years. The city is also a financial center, with many banks and cooperatives supporting local businesses.

Demographics

In 2020, Palu had a population of 373,218 people, with many living close together. Most people in Palu are between 20 and 30 years old. The city is home to many different groups of people, including the native Kaili people, as well as Bugis, Mandar, and Minahasan people who moved there for work.

Most people in Palu follow the Muslim faith. There are also Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus living in the city. Palu has many places of worship, including mosques, churches, temples, and Vihāras.

Education

Palu has many schools, including 171 kindergartens, 190 elementary schools, 73 junior high schools, and 39 senior high schools. There are also 26 vocational high schools, and 13 universities and higher-education institutions.

The most well-known university is Tadulako University, which is the main public university of Central Sulawesi. The city also has a public library managed by the provincial government. People in Palu know how to read very well, with a literacy rate of 99.60% for people aged 15 to 19, and 99.84% for everyone in the city.

Healthcare

Palu has many places where people can get help when they are sick. As of 2020, there were 13 hospitals, including three just for mothers and babies, along with 17 polyclinics, 39 puskesmas, and 35 pharmacies.

One important public hospital is Undata Regional Hospital, run by the government of Central Sulawesi province. There are also other public hospitals like Anutapura Palu Regional Hospital and Palu Wirabuana Hospital. Some private hospitals in the city include Woodward Hospital and Budi Agung Hospital. The city also had 227 healthcare posts and 28 medical clinics in 2020.

Culture and entertainment

Palu has many places for visitors to enjoy. One important site is the Nosarara Nosabatutu Peace Monument. This three-story building has messages about peace from different religions and shows portraits of people who worked for peace. Near the monument, there is a large gong called the Nusantara Gong of Peace, which has symbols of Indonesia’s recognized religions and the coats of arms of its provinces.

Other fun places in Palu include Citraland Palu, an amusement park with a Ferris wheel and bumper cars, as well as several parks, cafes, and shops. The Palu Museum tells the history of Central Sulawesi, and there are natural attractions like Talise Beach and Kaombana Urban Forest. The city also has shopping malls.

Transportation

Palu has many roads for travel, with most of them paved. The main port in the area is Pantoloan Port, which helps ships bring goods in and out of the region. The city also has smaller ports like Wani Port.

The city’s biggest airport is Mutiara SIS Al-Jufrie Airport, where big planes like the Boeing 737 can land. Ships run by Pelni connect Palu to other places like Eastern Indonesia, Balikpapan, and Surabaya.

There are bus services run by Perum DAMRI, but many stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Private buses still run, especially to Makassar.

Share taxis called angkot used to be common, but now there are fewer because of online ride services like Gojek and Grab. The city also has rickshaws, which are being changed to auto rickshaws. Every weekend morning, the center of the city has car-free hours.

Media

Palu has many media companies. In 2021, there were 82 online newspapers in the city. Some well-known ones are SultengRaya, Tribun Palu, and the media wing of Alkhairaat. The city also has local television channels like Palu TV and a state-owned station TVRI for Central Sulawesi province. There are also radio stations that are part of Radio Republik Indonesia.