Formerly known as Borneo, Kalimantan is the
world's second largest island. The North and
North-western part of the island are the East
Malaysian state of Serawak and Sabah, with the
newly independent state of Brunei Darusalam
between them.
The rest of the island is part of Indonesia,
divided into four provinces - East Kalimantan,
West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South
Kalimantan.
Banjarmasin and its
surroundings
Banjarmasin,
which is nicknamed "river City", is the
capital, and is the centre of trade and
tourism. It lies at the delta of the Barito
River. A number of rivers various sizes and
lengths wind their way through and around the
city. The major rivers are Martapura and
Nagara. Local people build traditional
floating houses called "lanting", along the
rivers. The lanting face the rivers, and are
made of wood or bamboo. Rivers have been very
important for business and economic
activities. This is one reason why there are
floating markets everywhere. Making trips
along the mighty Barito and Martapura rivers
by "klotok boat" or river bus will provide you
with a unique experience. A speedboat can be
hired for longer trips.
Pontianak
-
As
the capital of West Kalimantan, there are some
interesting places to visit, among others the
Equator Monument, Kadariah palace in Kampung
Dalam, the State Museum, the Kapuas and Landak
Bridges with a river view and floating market.
You can also simply relax in the recreational
park Tirta Ria. The beach resort of Kijing and
Temajoh Island are good places for diving,
fishing and sailing.
Samarinda - Samarinda is known for its
fine sarong cloth. The city shows some signs
of being the capital of a prosperous province.
New government offices and public buildings
are rising everywhere. Samarinda has a number
of modest but comfortable hotels.
Balikpapan - Balikpapan, the centre of
Kalimantan's oil industry is also the gateway
to East Kalimantan with air and sea
connections to Jakarta and other major points
in Indonesia. Even the trip to Samarinda,
begins in Balikpapan. Living up to its
importance, Balikpapan has a number of good
hotels, including one of international
standard, as well as recreation facilities. It
has the second busiest airport in the nation
after Jakarta, due to its strategic position
Palangkaraya
After Indonesia proclaimed its independence in
1945, the carrying out of the Government in
Central Kalimantan was still controlled from
Banjarmasin, but gradually there came the
inspiration and ideas of the people to
establish a separate province as an autonomous
Region. The inspiration and ideas were based
on the fact that most of the economy and trade
development in this region was supported by
crops and natural resources of the region
which were primarily transported using the
rivers.
After some great effort and hard lobbying,
Central Kalimantan was officially declared by
the first President of Republic of Indonesia,
Prof. Ir. Soekarno, on 23 May, 1957, to be an
autonomous province in Indonesia with 'Pahandut'
at the confluence of the Rungon and Kahayan
Rivers, as the capital city. The name 'Pahandut'
was later changed to 'Palangkaraya' which
means 'Sacred Place', Honorable and Great;
with Tjilik Riwut as the first-governor |
