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About the
city - Surabaya
History
Surabaya is the second largest metropolitan city in Indonesia and
the vibrant provincial capital of East Java is a city with ancient
history. An historic city center, still bustling with life,
Surabaya is also counted amongst the biggest cities in South East
Asia. The history of Surabaya dates back to the year of 1292.
Traditionally the city served as one of the most important
commercial port and trading center in South East Asia over half a
millennium. The city is well known as the “City of Heroes” due to
its connection to the Indonesian struggle of independence.
The country was under Japanese domination during Second World War
in 1942. After Japanese occupation the country was controlled by
the Indonesian nationalists for a shorter period of time.
Afterwards it was again under the rule of Dutch for a limited
period and became part of the Indonesian Republic in 1950. The
gorgeous city of the Majapahit Empire, Indonesia’s most glorious
Empire, on the banks of Brantas River, has historically been one
of Indonesia’s important cultural and religious centers, which was
officially founded in the year of 1293 on the site of a legendary
battle between a shark (sura) and crocodile (baya). Surabaya
celebrated its 700 years anniversary in 1995.
The reminder of Surabaya’s traditional aristocratic society are
mainly the Kali Mas harbour with its tall-masted trading schooners
and, nearby, the narrow alleyways and shops of the Arab quarter,
redolent of the Middle East. The historic hotel Majapahit, where
Indonesia's war of independence was begun, and the elegant Grahadi
State Buildings, the 18th century mansion, have been restored as
monument takes the visitors to the bygone colonial era.
With a very colorful history behind, Surabaya was a very important
center of commerce and art and a major sea power during medieval
period and retains much of its old charm and illuminated grandeur.
Location
The second largest city in Indonesia and the prefectural capital
of East Java, Surabaya located on the northern shore of Eastern
Java at the mouth of the Mas River and at the side of the Madura
Strait. The city has the district of Gresik in the west and the
district of the Sidoarjo in the south. The province of East Java
borders the Java Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the south,
the province of Central Java to the west and the Bali Strait to
the east.
Weather
Indonesia being a tropical country, has mainly two identifiable
seasons; the wet season usually starts in November and extends to
the month if April. The dry season generally lasts from May to
October with an average temperature of 20-30 C. The lowest
temperature, usually in February, is about 25.5 C and the highest
temperature is 33 C in October. The mean annual rainfall is 1,321
mm, and the highest monthly mean rainfall is about 260 mm, usually
in January.
Religion
Surabaya is a city with a healthy combination of culture and
entertainment, the second largest city in Indonesia (after
Jakarta) and is the provincial capital of East Java which is home
to almost 33 million people consisting of various races like
Javanese, Madurese, Tenggerese. The Javanese mostly live in the
Western part of the province, the Tenggerese on the highland of
Tengger at Mt. Bromo while the Madurese live in the Eastern part
and the Island of Madura. Islam is the main religion followed by
most of the people while Hinduism is the major religion for the
Tenggerese and at the same time Christianity and Buddhism is also
found among a smaller group of people.
Connectivity
The pleasant gateway into the East java, Surabaya is an eclectic
mix of towering structures, an old harbor and Chinese and Arab
quarters. The dazzling city is one of the most busy and important
commercial area in the Indonesian Archipelago. A booming city of
over 3 million, Surabaya offers many good hotels, shopping centers
and entertainment and it is very well connected to the rest of the
world. Reaching there is very easy as the city is well linked by
Air, Rail and Road network.
By Air
There are direct flights available to Surabaya International
Airport from Singapore, Kuala Lampur, Johor Bahru, Townsville,
Beijing, Guangzhou, Taiwan, Hongkong and Amsterdam. Connecting
local flights are also available from Jakarta-Surabaya which takes
around one hour, Bali to Surabaya and Yogyakarta to Surabaya in
just thirty minutes.
By Sea
An easiest way to get into Surabaya is an ocean cruise. A number
of cruise operators have added Java and Bali to their schedules in
recent years. One can enter through Surabaya (Tanjung Perak
Harbour), Semarang or Tanjung Priok (Jakarta) on the north coast.
There are also regular passenger’s ships which connect to Surabaya
with other coastal areas.
By Land
Surabaya is well connected with other parts of the country by
trains and by buses. Purabaya is the bus station that connects to
Surabaya with other important cities like Java, Bali and Sumatra.
Pasar Turi is the railway Station where from Surabaya connects to
the west destination via north coast of Java Island. A trip from
Surabaya to Jakarta via Argo Bromo and Sembrani is just about nine
hours.
Gubeng is another Railway station connecting Surabaya and the
cities in the west of Java Island via south area.
Getting around
Surabaya is the capital city of East Java and Indonesia’s one of
most important commercial and business hub and. Getting around in
Surabaya is quite easier. Surabaya has it all -from the
traditional becak (trishaw) to bemos (enclosed minibus), public
buses and air conditioned cabs. Metered taxis, Taxis from Juanda
International Airport follow a fixed rate schedule and must be
paid for in advance at the transport counter outside the arrival
gate. Private Cars are also available for rent with or without a
driver; if you prefer to drive yourself make it sure you must
possess a valid International Drivers License.
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