Java facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Java

Native name: Jawa  (Indonesian) ꦗꦮ  (Javanese) ᮏᮝ  (Sundanese) ꦗꦧ  (Madurese) Jawè  (Betawi)
Topography of Java
Geography
Location	Southeast Asia
Coordinates	7°29′30″S 110°0′16″E / 7.49167°S 110.00444°E / -7.49167; 110.00444
Archipelago	Indonesian Archipelago Greater Sunda Islands
Area	132,644.29 km2 (51,214.25 sq mi)
Area rank	13th
Highest elevation	3,678 m (12,067 ft)
Highest point	Semeru
Administration
Indonesia
Provinces	Banten Jakarta West Java Central Java Special Region of Yogyakarta East Java
Largest settlement	Jakarta (pop. 10,678,000)
Demographics
Population	158,079,100 (mid 2025)
Pop. density	1,192 /km2 (3,087 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Betawi, Javanese (inc. Cirebonese, Tenggerese, Osing, Banyumasan), Madurese (inc. Bawean, Kangeanese), Sundanese (inc. Baduy, Bantenese), etc.
Additional information
Time zone	WIB (UTC+7)

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Java is a famous tropical island in Southeast Asia. It belongs to the nation of Indonesia. Java is part of a large island chain called the Greater Sunda Islands. To its north lies the warm Java Sea, which connects to the Pacific Ocean. To the south is the deep Indian Ocean. Java is the world's most populous island. More than 158 million people make their homes here. That is over half of all the people in the country, even though Java covers only 7 percent of Indonesia's total land area.

Java is the busy center of Indonesian life. The massive national capital city, Jakarta, sits along its northwestern coastline. Long ago, Java was home to great Hindu-Buddhist empires and powerful Islamic sultanates. Later, it became the heart of the colonial Dutch East Indies. The heroic Indonesian struggle for independence took place on Java during the 1930s and 1940s.

Java also contains five amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These special spots include Ujung Kulon National Park, the giant stone temple of Borobudur, the towering spires of Prambanan, the historic royal city of Yogyakarta, and the ancient prehistoric grounds of the Sangiran Early Man Site.

Where Does the Name Java Come From?

The Story of the Foxtail Millet Plant

The true beginning of the name "Java" is an ancient mystery. Many scientists think the island was named after a useful crop called jawa. In the ancient Proto-Austronesian language, this grain was called *zawa. People in early villages ate this tiny grain before rice farming spread everywhere. Later speech sounds shifted from *yaba into jawa.

Ancient Tales from Other Lands

An Englishman named Sir Stamford Raffles wondered about the name too. In the early 1800s, he guessed it came from the word jauh, which means "distant" or "far away". Other experts compared it to the Polynesian word hawaiki, which means "original home". Most historians still agree that the green foxtail millet plant is the most likely source.

Ancient travelers wrote about Java many centuries ago. In the famous Sanskrit adventure story called the Ramayana, writers described a wondrous place named Yavadvīpa. In that old language, dvīpa meant "island" and yava meant barley or grain. An ancient Tamil language story called the Maṇimēkalai spoke of this wealthy island reached across dangerous ocean waves. Another very old religious book written in Pāli named the Mahāniddesa also mentioned sailing ships traveling there.

Around the year 150, a famous Greek mapmaker named Claudius Ptolemy wrote a book called Geographia. Ptolemy lived during the height of the Roman Empire. He called the island Iabadiu. He noted that it produced heaps of golden grain. Early explorers from ancient China wrote down names like Yèdiào and Yépótí. Later court books like the Book of Song and Book of Liang spelled it Shépó. During the mighty Yuan dynasty, Chinese scholars wrote the name as Zhǎowā, which sounds very close to modern Java.

During the Middle Ages, Arabic traders sailed to Asia to buy fragrant spices. They called these rich tropical islands al-Zabaj. Their accounts inspired sailors all across Europe to seek out routes to the faraway Orient.

Discovering the Geography and Landforms of Java

Location and Surrounding Waters

Java sits in a warm tropical belt between two large islands. To the west across the narrow Sunda Strait lies Sumatra. To the east across the shallow Bali Strait lies the island of Bali. Far to the north across the waves rests giant Borneo. Far to the south in the open ocean rests Christmas Island.

Java is the 13th largest island on Earth. It is the fifth largest island in Indonesia. The main island is long and thin. It measures about 1,000 kilometers from west to east. At its widest point, it measures about 210 kilometers across. Narrow waterways like the Madura Strait separate Java from smaller coastal neighbors like Madura.

A Ring of Fiery Volcanoes

Java was formed by deep earth forces. The heavy Australian Plate slowly pushed down under the Sunda Plate in a process called subduction. This movement melted rock deep underground and forced magma up to the surface. Java contains 112 volcanic cones. An impressive spine of 38 major mountains marches straight down the middle of the island.

Around 35 of these volcanoes remain active today. The highest peak on Java is Mount Semeru, rising 3,676 meters above the sea. Semeru frequently puffs out thick plumes of smoke. The most active volcano on the entire island is Mount Merapi, which stands 2,930 meters high. Merapi means "Mountain of Fire". Java's active volcanoes regularly spread layers of fresh mineral ash over the surrounding plains. This ash breaks down into nutrient-rich soil that feeds millions of crops.

Great Rivers and Rich Valleys

Java's tall central mountains divide the land into separated river valleys. The longest river is the famous Bengawan Solo River. It flows for 600 kilometers across the landscape. The river starts on the slopes of the Lawu volcano. It winds north and east before pouring into the Java Sea near Surabaya.

Other important waterways include the Brantas River, the Citarum River, the Cimanuk River, and the Serayu River. For hundreds of years, these flowing rivers were the main highways for wooden trade boats. Farmers also tapped the rivers to supply water to their hillside paddy fields.

Tropical Weather and Seasons

Java stays warm throughout the entire year. Average temperatures on the low plains range between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius. Daytimes in the northern coastal towns can reach 34 degrees Celsius during the dry season. The high volcanic mountains are much cooler, with crisp mountain air and rolling mist.

Java has two main seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The wet monsoon begins around November and lasts through April. Heavy tropical rains fall during the afternoons. January and February are usually the wettest months. The western side of Java receives much more rain than the eastern side. The Parahyangan highlands in the west get over 4,000 millimeters of rain each year. The dry plains in eastern Java receive only about 900 millimeters.

Fascinating Wildlife and Natural Habitats

Green Rainforests and Mangrove Swamps

Because Java has warm sun and plenty of rain, it supports diverse natural habitats. The island is naturally blanketed in lush tropical rainforest. Along the northern shores, salty ocean tides wash through thick coastal mangrove swamps. These tangled trees protect the land from big storm waves and shelter baby fish.

The southern coastline features rocky limestone cliffs battered by Indian Ocean swells. Inland, the plains hold tropical broadleaf forests. Higher up on the mountains, cool cloud forests grow where damp moss covers the tree trunks. The climate changes as you travel from west to east. Wet western Java contains thick rainforests. Dry eastern Java features open, grassy savanna plains where wild cattle graze.

Rare and Endangered Animals

Java is home to amazing endemic animals found nowhere else in the world. The most famous creature is the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros. This rare animal has a single horn and tough, folded skin that looks like a suit of armor. Today, only a small group survives inside the protected wilderness of Ujung Kulon National Park.

Other unique mammals live in the tree canopies and forests. The acrobatic Javan silvery gibbon swings through the branches using its long arms. The gentle Javan lutung is a leaf-eating monkey with dark fur. Down on the forest floor walks the tiny Java mouse-deer, a shy creature no bigger than a pet rabbit.

Forests are also home to the spotted Javan leopard, the horned Javan banteng wild ox, the Javan rusa deer, and the sturdy Javan warty pig. Sadly, some animals have completely disappeared. Java was once home to the Javan tiger and the Javan elephant, but both became extinct when their forest homes shrank.

Colorful Birds and Unique Tree Frogs

Java is a paradise for birdwatchers. Over 450 kinds of birds glide through the island's skies. Around 37 bird species live only here. Bright emerald feathers belong to the rare Javan green magpie. The small Java sparrow has a bright red beak and soft gray feathers.

High above the jungle canopy, the fierce Javan hawk-eagle circles on warm air currents. In forest clearings, the Javan peafowl fans out giant, glowing tail feathers to impress other birds. Rivers sparkle with the electric feathers of the tiny Javan blue-banded kingfisher.

Java's freshwater rivers and lakes shelter about 130 species of fish. In the wet bushes, scientists have found rare amphibian species, including five colorful species of tree frogs that lay eggs on leaves above forest pools.

Protecting Java's Wilderness in National Parks

For more than one thousand years, people have cleared woodlands to grow food. They built beautiful terraced rice fields climbing up the volcanic hillsides. Because Java has so many people, wild creatures need safe places to live.

The government established large national parks across the island. Mount Halimun Salak National Park and Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park protect the misty mountain slopes of western Java. Farther east, Baluran National Park protects wide savanna plains. Meru Betiri National Park guards ocean beaches, while Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park protects smoking volcanoes and sea-of-sand valleys. At the eastern tip of Java, Alas Purwo National Park protects ancient coastal lowland forests.

The Ancient History of Java

Prehistoric Java Man and Early Relatives

Long before modern humans walked on Java, earlier human ancestors lived here. In 1891, a scientist named Eugène Dubois found ancient skullcaps and bones along the muddy banks of the Bengawan Solo River. These remains belonged to an early human relative called Homo erectus, popularly nicknamed "Java Man".

Scientists determined these fossils were over one million years old. Java Man lived in a warm environment filled with rivers, grasses from the Poaceae family, wild ferns, shady Ficus fig trees, and blue-flowering Indigofera plants.

Later groups of early humans also made their home on the island. A group known as Homo erectus soloensis lived around Ngandong between 117,000 and 108,000 years ago. They sheltered in open river valleys before thick tropical rainforests grew back over the landscape. Southeast Asia was home to several kinds of early human relatives during this prehistoric era. The tiny "hobbit" species called Homo floresiensis lived on the nearby island of Flores. Another ancient cousin called Homo luzonensis lived on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.

Ancient modern humans also traveled across Asia and met another mystery group known as the Denisovans. Today, many people in the region carry traces of Denisovan DNA in their genetic code. Over long stretches of geological time, river flows shifted and ocean shorelines moved. Volcanic ash buried ancient stone tools and animal bones, creating rich treasure troves for modern archaeologists.

Early Kingdoms and Farming Communities

As modern human families settled across Java, they discovered that the volcanic soil was good for farming. Growing rice in wet paddies required whole villages to work together. People dug shared irrigation channels and built dams. Soon, local chiefs united farming villages into small early kingdoms.

Old stories written down in the Javanese tradition speak of a wise hero named Aji Saka. Legends say he arrived in the year 78. He was credited with introducing literacy, bringing written scripts, and setting up good social order across the land.

Foreign books from the classical world praised Java's wealth. The Indian poet Valmiki wrote in the Ramayana that Java was a golden island dotted with seven kingdoms and rich with shiny mines. Ptolemy, the Greek scholar, wrote about a silver city called Argyre on the island. Old Chinese court records like the Míng Shǐ recorded that Javanese kingdoms were busy trading with northern ports in ancient times.

The Classical Hindu-Buddhist Age

Between the 5th and 15th centuries, Java entered a glorious era known as the Classical Period. Indian merchants and priests visited the island, sharing their religious ideas, reading materials, and temple art. In western Java, the Taruma kingdom flourished from the 5th to the 7th century. Near the middle of the island, another kingdom called the Heling kingdom sent trade messengers to ancient China.

In the early 8th century, the great Mataram kingdom arose on the fertile plains of Central Java. The rulers of this kingdom honored both Hindu gods and Buddhist teachers. Some of the earliest Hindu stone shrines were built high on the cool Dieng Plateau.

During the late 8th century, kings from the Shailendra dynasty came to power. They were devoted followers of Mahayana Buddhism. The Shailendra kings ordered the construction of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Workers carved thousands of stone blocks into nine stacked platforms topped by a giant stupa. Walking along its corridors, pilgrims studied carved stone panels that explained Buddhist life and wisdom.

Nearby, rulers also built Prambanan, an enormous complex of tall, pointed Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. Prambanan's towers pierced the sky, showing off the stone carving skills of classical Javanese builders.

Around the year 920, the main center of political power shifted eastward toward the fertile Brantas River basin. Several strong kingdoms arose here, including Kediri and Singhasari. These kingdoms grew rich from trading rice, timber, and spices with China, India, and the faraway Spice Islands.

The Golden Empire of Majapahit

In the year 1293, a smart prince named King Wijaya founded the empire of Majapahit. The capital city of Majapahit was built in eastern Java near modern Trowulan. It quickly grew into one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asian history.

Majapahit reached its greatest power under King Hayam Wuruk, who ruled during the 1300s. His brilliant prime minister, Gajah Mada, made a famous vow to unite the far-flung islands of the archipelago. Majapahit commanded large fleets of wooden sailing ships that protected trade lanes throughout Maritime Southeast Asia. Wealth poured into Java. Artists crafted bronze statues, poets composed literature, and stone carvers built royal gateways. Majapahit remained a major power until the late 15th century.

The Spread of Islam and Coastal Sultanates

Starting in the 1400s and 1500s, Islam spread across Java's northern coast. Muslim merchants from India, Persia, and Arabia stopped at busy Javanese harbor towns to buy spices and sell cloths. Javanese port cities like Surabaya, Gresik, Demak, and Cirebon were the first to embrace Islam.

The Demak Sultanate became the first major Islamic kingdom in Java during the early 1500s. Demak expanded its control along the coastline and weakened the older Majapahit kingdom. Soon, other Islamic trading centers grew into powerful states, including the Sultanate of Cirebon and the wealthy Banten Sultanate in the far west.

By the early 1600s, a new inland power arose in Central Java called the Mataram Sultanate. Its greatest leader was Sultan Agung of Mataram. Sultan Agung conquered neighboring rival cities and brought most of central and eastern Java under his rule. He blended Islamic teachings with ancient Javanese palace arts, royal dances, and court traditions.

The Colonial Era and the Dutch Rule

In 1522, Portuguese sailors arrived in western Java seeking trade treaties with local kings. Later, in 1596, four Dutch ships led by explorer Cornelis de Houtman landed at the port of Banten. European traders wanted direct access to expensive cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper.

The Dutch soon formed a powerful trading firm called the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The VOC built a fortified headquarters at the port city of Batavia (now Jakarta). Over the next two centuries, the Dutch intervened in arguments between rival royal princes. Whenever a local ruler needed military help, the Dutch supplied weapons and soldiers in exchange for valuable farmland and trading rights. Bit by bit, the Dutch took control over the old sultanates.

During the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, France took over the Netherlands. In 1808, Governor Herman Willem Daendels was sent to Java to defend the island. Daendels ordered thousands of workers to build the Great Post Road, a military road stretching nearly 1,000 kilometers from Anyer in the west to Panarukan in the east. In 1811, British soldiers arrived and captured Java. Sir Stamford Raffles became governor. Raffles was interested in nature and history; he helped bring attention to the forgotten ruins of Borobudur.

In 1816, the British returned Java to the Dutch under Governor John Fendall Jr. following the Treaty of Paris. To make money, the colonial government started the strict Cultivation System. Javanese farmers were required to grow valuable export crops like coffee, tea, sugar, and indigo on their lands instead of just rice.

During the 19th century, modern machines arrived. The Dutch built railways, telegraph wires, and harbor docks. New food crops like cassava and corn fed more families, and Java's population grew rapidly. However, bad farming policies also led to food shortages in places like Cirebon. In 1820, an outbreak of Cholera swept across the island.

In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces invaded and occupied Java, ending Dutch colonial rule. When the war ended in 1945, Indonesian leaders proclaimed independence. Indonesian patriots fought determined battles against returning colonial troops. In 1949, the world recognized Indonesia as a free and sovereign nation, with Java at its center.

Provinces and Famous Cities of Java

Java is divided into four main provinces and two unique special administrative territories.

The Four Main Provinces

• Banten: Located at the western end of the island. Its capital city is Serang. Banten includes wild national parks and industrial coastal towns like Cilegon.
• West Java: A large, mountainous province where most people speak Sundanese. Its capital is the cool, elevated city of Bandung.
• Central Java: Famous for its old farming heritage and ancient stone temples. Its provincial capital is the busy northern port city of Semarang.
• East Java: A province of tall volcanoes and wide agricultural plains. Its bustling capital is Surabaya, the second-largest city in Indonesia. This province also manages the neighboring island of Madura.

The Two Special Regions

• Special Region of Jakarta: A giant, bustling metropolis on the northwestern coast. Jakarta serves as the economic hub and historic capital of the country. Millions of people live, work, and go to school in this lively urban center.
• Special Region of Yogyakarta: A famous historic territory in Central Java. Yogyakarta is ruled by a traditional Sultan who serves as the provincial governor. It is known across Asia as a proud center of music, theater, classical painting, and higher education.

Smaller Offshore Islands

Several clusters of smaller islands surround Java. The rocky island of Nusa Barong lies off the southern coast. To the north in the Java Sea lie Bawean and the coral islands of Karimunjawa. Near the southwest coast sits Panaitan, while near southern Central Java rests Nusa Kambangan. Off the coast of Jakarta sits an island chain called the Thousand Islands. Around Madura, archipelagos like the Kangean Islands, the Sapudi Islands, and Talango Island add to the region's geography.

The People of Java and Their Daily Life

Population and Megacities

Java is home to an astonishing number of people. More than 158 million people live across its plains and valleys. That means about 1,192 people live on every single square kilometer of land. Java is one of the most crowded places in the entire world, similar to the nation of Bangladesh.

Because active volcanoes cover much of the interior, most residents live on the flat coastal plains or inside wide mountain basins. Over 65 percent of Java's people now live in urban areas. The biggest urban center is Greater Jakarta, a massive metropolitan zone that stretches into neighboring cities like Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. Another busy urban area is Greater Bandung, located high up in the cool mountains.

To help reduce crowding on Java, the government ran transmigration programs between the 1970s and 1990s. These programs helped families move to less crowded islands like Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. Even so, many people continue to move to Java because it offers schools, universities, modern hospitals, and jobs.

Ethnic Groups on the Island

Even with its huge population, Java is home to a few dominant native ethnic cultures:

• Javanese people: The largest ethnic group on the island and in all of Indonesia. They make up roughly two-thirds of Java's population. Their historical heartland lies across Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java. Special local branches include the Banyumasan people in the west, the Osing people in the far east, and the mountain-dwelling Tenggerese people.
• Sundanese people: The second-largest group, living mostly in the highlands of West Java and Banten. They have their own language, music, and traditions. A traditional group called the Baduy people lives in quiet mountain villages, choosing to live simply without modern machines.
• Madurese people: Originally from nearby Madura Island, many Madurese families moved to the northeastern coast of Java over the centuries. They are famous for their maritime skills, hard work, and colorful community festivals.
• Betawi people: The native cultural group of the capital city, Jakarta. The Betawi people formed over centuries as people from different islands—like the Malay, Balinese, Minang, Bugis, Makassar, and Ambonese—lived alongside Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, and Arab merchants. The Betawi developed a lively culture with unique dances and music.

Languages Spoken on Java

Java is a multilingual island where almost everyone grows up speaking at least two languages. The national language is Indonesian (known locally as Bahasa Indonesia). It is taught in all schools and used in government, news broadcasts, and books.

At home and in their neighborhoods, people speak their regional mother tongues. The Javanese language is spoken by over 80 million people. It has different levels of politeness; a speaker chooses special words depending on whether they are talking to a close friend, an elder, or a teacher.

The Sundanese language is spoken across the western provinces and sounds smooth and melodic. The Madurese language is spoken in Madura and parts of East Java. In Jakarta, people speak the Betawi language, a friendly dialect of Malay filled with colorful slang. Other regional dialects include the Banyumasan language and the Osing language.

Religious Traditions and Beliefs

Religion plays an important role in daily life on Java. Over 96 percent of Java's people follow Islam, with the vast majority practicing the Sunni tradition. Islam took deep root in Java by blending with existing local customs. Islamic community leaders and teachers, called Kyai, run traditional boarding schools called pesantren. These schools teach academic subjects along with religious studies.

Historians often describe two main cultural traditions among Javanese Muslims: santri, who follow strict classical practices, and 'abangan', who blend Islamic traditions with older island folklore.

Other world religions are also practiced peacefully across Java. There are vibrant Christian communities, including both Protestants and Roman Catholics, especially in big cities like Jakarta and around Yogyakarta. Significant Buddhist communities and ancient Confucian temples thrive among Chinese Indonesian families.

Small communities of Hindus live across Java, especially around the eastern port of Banyuwangi near Bali and high on the slopes of Mount Bromo. In some rural villages, people still practice traditional spiritual belief systems such as Kejawen and Sunda Wiwitan. The Indonesian constitution protects freedom of religion and recognizes six official faiths.

Arts, Music, and Exciting Traditions

Gamelan Orchestras and Shadow Puppets

Java is famous for its performing arts. The traditional sound of the island comes from gamelan music. A gamelan is a musical ensemble made up mostly of bronze percussion instruments. Musicians play tuned bronze gongs, metal xylophones called metallophones, hand-beaten drums, and bamboo flutes. The instruments are struck with padded wooden mallets, creating ringing, shimmering melodies.

Gamelan music accompanies ancient puppet theater called wayang. In shadow puppet shows (wayang kulit), a master puppeteer called a dalang sits behind a white cloth screen lit by an oil lamp. The dalang moves flat puppets made of carved water buffalo leather to cast shadows onto the screen. He sings, tells jokes, speaks in dozens of voices, and conducts the gamelan musicians. These shows often last all night, telling thrilling battle stories from the ancient Indian epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Traditional Dances and Bull Races

Java's different regions have their own lively dance styles. In Sundanese towns, children love watching Sisingaan performances. In this folk celebration, dancers carry a giant, smiling wooden lion figure on their shoulders while a child sits on top, accompanied by lively drumming. In court cities like Surakarta and Yogyakarta, royal dancers practice graceful, slow-moving palace dances that take years of training to master.

On the island of Madura and along the eastern coast of Java, people celebrate an exciting sports festival called Karapan sapi. In this event, two sturdy bulls are hitched to a wooden sled. A brave young jockey stands on the sled and races the sprinting bulls across a muddy rice field. Crowds cheer, play drums, and celebrate the fastest animals in the village.

Literature and Great Authors

Java has a rich storytelling heritage. In old kingdoms, court poets wrote down adventures like Ken Arok and Ken Dedes, the tale of an orphan who became a mighty ruler. In modern times, one of Indonesia's most famous authors was Pramoedya Ananta Toer. He grew up on Java and wrote historical novels celebrating the strength and courage of ordinary Javanese people.

How Java Powers the Modern Economy

Farming: From Rice to World-Class Coffee

Java's volcanic soil has made it the agricultural heart of the archipelago for centuries. Generation after generation of farmers have used sturdy Water buffalo to plow their terraced rice fields. Java has produced extra rice to share with neighboring islands since ancient times.

During colonial times, farmers planted valuable crops for world trade. These included sugarcane, rubber trees, tea bushes, and cinchona trees used to make quinine medicine. Java became famous for growing rich coffea arabica coffee beans, first planted here in 1699. Java coffee beans became so popular around the globe that people everywhere started calling coffee "Java". Today, high-quality coffee is grown on the cool Ijen Plateau by small family farms and large estates.

Modern Industries, Trade, and Factories

Java is the economic powerhouse of Indonesia. According to official data from Statistics Indonesia, the island of Java produces about 60 percent of Indonesia's entire gross domestic product (GDP).

Massive manufacturing zones stretch along the northern plains. Cities like Cilegon are famous for giant steel factories. Towns like Tangerang, Bekasi, and Karawang house assembly plants that build cars, motorcycles, computers, and clothing. East Java cities like Gresik and Sidoarjo produce cement, packaged foods, and chemicals.

Roads, Trains, and the Whoosh Bullet Train

To move millions of people and goods every day, Java has developed Indonesia's most advanced transport system. The historic Great Post Road has evolved into modern multi-lane highways and the busy Java North Coast Road. Modern, smooth toll road systems connect all the major cities from one end of the island to the other.

Java also has an extensive railway network. In recent years, Indonesia built Southeast Asia's first high-speed bullet train, named the Whoosh. This sleek electric train speeds along tracks between Jakarta and the mountain city of Bandung, traveling at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour. A trip that once took three hours by car now takes less than 45 minutes, connecting families, students, and businesses.

Images for kids

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  The historic mountain road through the Parahyangan highlands near Bogor

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  British and allied officers meeting in Java at the end of World War II in 1945

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  Map showing how densely people live across Java and Madura

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  A colorful Sisingaan lion performance in West Java

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  A map showing where different regional languages are spoken on Java

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  The historic domed Immanuel Protestant Church in Central Jakarta

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  The Ganjuran Catholic Church in Bantul, built in traditional Javanese style

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  The peaceful Hindu temple of Pura Parahyangan Agung Jagatkarta near Bogor

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  The serene Buddhist monastery Maha Vihara Mojopahit near Mojokerto

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  Boen Tek Bio, an ancient Chinese temple located in Tangerang

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  A detailed map of roads, railways, and ports across Java

Related Pages

• History of Indonesia
• List of monarchs of Java
• Greater Sunda Islands
• Borobudur Temple
• Prambanan Temple

See also

In Spanish: Java (isla) para niños