Tour Guide, Malang, Indonesia
| 3 mins read
What can we instantly remember about East Java?
Of course Surabaya. In addition to being the capital of the province of East Java, Surabaya is the second largest city after Jakarta. With a population of about 3 million people, Surabaya has become the Metropolis city with some of the rich diversity in it. In addition, Surabaya today has become the center of business, commerce, industry, and education in Indonesia.
Surabaya is known as City of Heroes, this has happened since the battle against the Dutch army and Surabaya people during the war of the Indonesian independence revolution.
Name of Surabaya, in accordance with its etymology, is derived from the word Sura Baya or Suro and Boyo, in the Java language. Suro is shark, and boyo is a Javanese term for alligator. According to the myth, the two animals are the most powerful animal that has also become a symbol of the city of Surabaya to this date. Another opinion says, that the name of Surabaya was also taken from the term Sura Ing Baya, meaning "brave face of danger".
Surabaya is a major port and commercial trading center in the eastern region of Indonesia, and is now one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. Together with Lamongan to the northwest, Gresik to the west, Bangkalan to the northeast, Sidoarjo to the south, Mojokerto and Jombang to the southwest into a unity called Gerbangkertosusila, such as Greater Jakarta in Jakarta and surrounding areas.
The city of Surabaya is located on the edge of the northern coast of East Java, and directly adjacent to the Madura Strait in the North and East, Sidoarjo district in the south, and Gresik regency in the west. Surabaya City is located in the lowlands, with a height of between 3-6 meters above sea level, it is also the makes temperatures in Surabaya relatively hot and dry.
As the provincial capital, Surabaya is also home to many offices and business centers. Surabaya's economy is also influenced by the recent growth in foreign industries and some segments of the industry that will continue to grow, especially in terms of the property, where the skyscrapers, malls, plazas, apartments and hotels will continue to build each year.
As a metropolitan city, Surabaya inhabited by multi-ethnic and many tribes, such as Chinese citizens, Javanese, Batak, Madura, Bali, Bugis, Sundanese and more. There are also citizens of foreign countries including Malaysia, China, India, Arabia and Europe.
The language used in everyday life mostly uses the Java language, dialect Suroboyoan. Dialect is quite different from the Javanese of Central Java like Surakarta or Yogyakarta.Dialect Suroboyoan have intonation and higher, and impressed loud.
Although Surabaya heavily influenced by diverse cultures, but the authenticity of the culture is still alive and growing today. Various native culture can be seen from various events such as, the art of puppetry, ludrug, remo dance and other typical Javanese culture.
In terms of tourism, like a city full of history, Surabaya has several attractions that can be visited related to past history.