Jakarta The Metropolitan City

Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta) is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Located on the northwest coast of Java, it has an area of 661 square kilometres (255 sq mi) and a population of 8,490,000. [1] Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political center. It is the most populous city in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and is the Twelfth-largest city in the world. The metropolitan area, Greater Jakarta, is the second largest in the world. Jakarta is listed as a global city in the 2008 Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) research. [2] The city's name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Jayakarta' (जयकर्) which translates as "Victorious deed," " complete act, "or" complete victory. "

Established in the fourth century, the city became an important trading port for the Kingdom of Sunda. It grew as the capital of the colonial Dutch East Indies. It was made capital of Indonesia when the country became independent after World War II. It was formerly known as Sunda Kelapa (397-1527), Jayakarta (1527-1619), Batavia (1619-1942), and Djakarta (1942-1972).

Landmarks include the National Monument and Istiqlal Mosque. The city is the seat of the ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta is served by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, and Tanjung Priok harbor; it is connected by several Intercity and commuter Railways, and served by several bus lines running on reserved busways.