Jakarta Indonesia February 2010 - 25 photos - 762 views

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia which is situated in the northwest coast island of Java. The history of Jakarta traces back to 490 years and this city was previously referred to as Sunda Kelapa. Jakarta is not only the largest city of Indonesia but presently it acknowledged as the ninth densest city in the world with 44,283 people per mi². Jakarta due to its strategic location, varied culture and rich tradition offers various tourist attraction.  
 
Jakarta's monuments could be described as 'macho and muscle' - among Soekarno's great legacies are his heroes-of-socialism statues, and the most impress of these is the 132m National Monument. Construction commenced in 1961 and it took 14 years to complete. The phallic symbol topped by a glittering flame symbolizes the nation's strength and independence.  
 
Glodok in Jakarta typically reflects a Chinese ambience amidst the diverse culture of Jakarta. It was originally referred to an area outside the city walls in Jakarta where the Chinese community restricted themselves to ghettos after the bloody massacre of 1740. In present Jakarta, Glodok situated in west Jakarta, offers a distinguished flavor of a typical China Town amidst the heart of the bustling city of Jakarta. It is full of colorful shops, traditional markets, hawker stalls and temples mark the enclave. Apart from the Glodok Market, innumerable shopping destinations contribute in making it one of the most favorite shopping hang out both among the foreign tourists as well as the local residents of Jakarta.  
 
About 10 minutes walk from Taman Fatahillah in Old Batavia, the old port of Sunda Kelapa has lost of sailing ships - the magnificnet Makassar schooners. These brightly pained ships are an important means of transport and fright delivery between the capital and outer islands. These provide one of the most spectacular sights in Jakarta.