East Java Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

East Java

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of East Java in Indonesia

Established

25 February 1950

Capital
and largest city

Surabaya

Government

• Body

East Java Provincial Government

Area

• Total

47,799.75 km² (18,455.59 sq mi)

Area rank

14th in Indonesia

Highest elevation

3,676 m (12,060 ft)

Population

(mid 2019)

• Total

39,744,800

• Rank

2nd in Indonesia

• Density

831.4855/km² (2,153.5376/sq mi)

Demographics

• Ethnic groups

80% Javanese
17% Madurese
3% Chinese

• Religion in Indonesia

96% Islam
2.4% Christianity
0.6% Buddhism
0.5% Hinduism
0.1% Confucianism
0.04% other (including Kejawen)

• Languages of Indonesia

Indonesian (official)
Javanese (regional)
Madurese (regional)
Osing, Tenggerese

Time zone

UTC+7 (Indonesia Western Time)

ISO 3166 code

ID-JI

HDI

0.715 (High)

HDI rank

15th in Indonesia (2019)

GRP Nominal

$166.37 billion

GDP PPP (2019)

$546.80 billion

GDP rank

2nd in Indonesia (2019)

Nominal per capita

US$4,191 (2019)

PPP per capita

US$13,775 (2019)

Per capita rank

8th in Indonesia (2019)

East Java (called Jawa Timur in Indonesian) is a large province in Indonesia. It shares its land border only with the province of Central Java to its west. It's a place with many people, beautiful nature, and interesting traditions.

Exploring East Java's Geography

East Java is a big province, covering about 47,800 square kilometers. This makes it the 14th largest province in Indonesia. It has a varied landscape, from flat coastal areas to towering mountains.

Mountains and Volcanoes

East Java is famous for its many mountains and volcanoes. Some of these are still active. The highest point in East Java is 3,676 meters above sea level. You can find places where it gets very cold. Sometimes, you can even see light snow and frost in the highlands. This happens in the middle of the year, especially at night and in the morning.

The beautiful mountain range in the Eastern salient of Java, seen from Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

Light snow and frost can be seen in East Java's highlands, especially above 1500 meters.

Coastal Areas and Islands

The province also has long coastlines. These are home to many ports and fishing villages. East Java includes several islands. The largest and most well-known is Madura Island. This island is connected to the mainland by a long bridge.

People and Culture of East Java

East Java is home to almost 40 million people. This makes it the second most populated province in Indonesia. The people here have a rich culture and many different traditions.

Who Lives in East Java?

Most people in East Java are Javanese. They make up about 80% of the population. The next largest group is the Madurese, who are about 17%. There are also smaller groups, including Chinese people.

Languages Spoken

The official language is Indonesian. However, many people also speak regional languages. These include Javanese and Madurese. Some smaller dialects like Osing and Tenggerese are also spoken.

Religions and Beliefs

Most people in East Java follow Islam. About 96% of the population is Muslim. Other religions are also practiced. These include Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. People live together peacefully, respecting each other's beliefs.

The Ampel Mosque in Surabaya is one of the oldest mosques in Java.

The Islamic Ampel Mosque in Surabaya around the 1920s.

Kayutangan Catholic Church in Downtown Malang around 1935.

A traditional East Java Christian Church in Mojowarno, Jombang.

Tengger Hindu temple Pura Luhur Ponten, near Bromo Crater.

The Buddhist Maha Vihara Mojopahit in Trowulan, Mojokerto.

Kwan Sing Bio Chinese Temple in Tuban.

Major Cities and Economy

The capital and largest city of East Java is Surabaya. It is a very important city for Indonesia. Surabaya is a big center for business, trade, and transportation.

Surabaya: A Bustling City

Surabaya is one of Indonesia's busiest cities. It has a large port called Tanjung Perak. This port helps move goods in and out of the country. The city also has a major airport, Juanda International Airport. Many industries and businesses are located here.

Surabaya is a major center for industry and trade in Indonesia.

The Surabaya-Gempol Expressway helps connect different parts of the province.

The Tanjung Perak at night, a busy port in Surabaya.

Terminal 1 of Juanda International Airport, a major airport in East Java.

Economy and Jobs

East Java has a strong economy. It is one of the richest provinces in Indonesia. Many people work in farming, fishing, and manufacturing. The province also produces a lot of goods. This includes things like food, textiles, and electronics.

Culture and Traditions

East Java is known for its vibrant culture. This includes traditional dances, music, and delicious food.

Traditional Dances

Two famous dances from East Java are Reog and Gandrung.

Reog is a spectacular dance from Ponorogo. It features dancers wearing large, heavy masks.
Gandrung is an iconic dance from Banyuwangi. It is often performed by a female dancer.

Reog, a famous dance from Ponorogo.

Gandrung, an iconic dance from Banyuwangi.

Local Cuisine

East Java has many unique dishes. One popular traditional dish is Rujak Cingur. It is a mix of fruits, vegetables, and beef snout. It is served with a spicy peanut sauce.

Rujak Cingur, a traditional and delicious dish from East Java.

Nature and Tourism

East Java offers many beautiful natural sights. These include volcanoes, beaches, and national parks.

Popular Tourist Spots

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is a famous place. People visit to see the sunrise over Mount Bromo.
Ijen crater in Banyuwangi is known for its blue flames at night. It also has a stunning turquoise lake.
Jawa Timur Park in Batu is a popular amusement park. It has many fun rides and attractions.
Kedung tumpang beach in Tulungagung is known for its unique rock formations. It has natural pools.
Sempu Island near Malang is a beautiful nature reserve. It has a hidden lagoon.

Jawa Timur Park in Batu is a popular place for families.

The stunning Ijen crater in Banyuwangi.

Kedung Tumpang beach in Tulungagung with its unique natural pools.

Sempu Island, a beautiful island located south of Malang.

History of East Java

East Java has a long and interesting history. It was once home to powerful ancient kingdoms.

Ancient Kingdoms

Many old kingdoms existed in East Java. One important kingdom was Singhasari. You can still see ancient statues from this time. The Ampel Mosque in Surabaya was built in 1421. It is one of the oldest mosques in Java.

Ancient Indo-Javanese statues from the Singhasari temple, around the 1910s.

Trowulan ancient city in Mojokerto, a historical site.

The tomb complex of Maulana Malik Ibrahim, an important historical figure.

Modern History

During World War II, East Java was affected by conflicts. For example, the Tanjung Perak was attacked in 1944. East Java officially became a province of Indonesia on February 25, 1950.

Operation Transom led to the destruction of Tanjung Perak in 1944.

Other Interesting Facts

East Java has a professional basketball club called CLS Knights. They are very famous in Indonesia.
Students called Santri celebrate Santri day in Southern Malang.
You can find wild deer in Baluran National Park.
The House of Sampoerna in Surabaya is a museum. It shows the history of a famous cigarette company.