Semarang - General Facts

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Capital

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Semarang is the capital city of Central Java.

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Size

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373.8 km²

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Religions

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Islam (aprx 87%), Christians and Catholics (aprx 12%), Buddhism, Hindu, and other religions (below 1%).

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Population

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(as of 2024) approximately 1.7 million residents.

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Influenced by

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(J-CAD) Javanese, Chinese, Arab, Dutch cultures.

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Founded

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on May 2, 1547 by Pandan Arang, a Javanese nobleman.

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Origin of Name

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"Semarang" is derived from the phrase "asem arang" which means sparse tamarind. The founder saw a large tamarind tree plantation and decided to name the city after it.

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Other Names of Semarang

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(1) Port City -- it has one of the most important and still active ports in Indonesia

(2) Venice of Java -- its canal system during the Dutch colonial era

(3) City of Lumpia -- its famous spring rolls

(4) San Bao Long -- Mandarin, from the name of the famous Chinese moslem explorer

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Important Trade Center

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Having a strategic location (the port), Semarang was made into a trade center during the Dutch colonial era. The former most well-known market throughout Asia is here, around the Old Town complex.

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Oldest Lighthouse

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Lighthouse Willem III, built in 1884 was the oldest and still operating lighthouse in Indonesia.