Surabaya
Province : East Java
Area :
City 274.06 Km2 ( 105.8 sq.mi )
Elevation : 5m (16.4 ft )
Population : 2000
City : 2,599,796
Etymology
Surabaya is commonly said to derive its name from the words sura ( sharak ) and the baya ( crocodile ), two creatures which, in local a myth, fight each other in order to gain the title of “the strongest and the most powerful animal in the area according to the Jayabaya ( 1200M ) prophecy. This prophecy tell about big fighting between giant white shark and giant white crocodile in seizing the city upstream . Now the two animals are used as the city’s logo, the two facing each other while circling the city’s monument, the Tugu Pahlawan ( Heroes monument ). This folk etymology, thought embraced enthusiastically by city leaders, is somewhat dubious. Alternate derivations proliferate: e.eg. from the Javanese sura ing baya, meaning “bravely facing danger”. Some people consider this Jayabaya prophecy as a big war between Surabaya native people and invaders in 1945, while another story is about two heroes that fought each other in order to be the king of the city. The two heroes were Sura and Baya.
The City
Eastern suburbs of Surabaya, overlooking the strait of Madura. As the main seaport and commercial center in the eastern region of Indonesia, Surabaya has become one of the largest cities in Southeast Asia. Today, Surabaya’s population is around three million, and the surrounding metropolitan area houses at least 5 million. The areas surrounding Surabaya include Lamongan to the northwest, Gresik to the West, Bangkalan to the northeast, Sidoarjo to the south, and Mojokerto and Jombang to the southwest.
Currently, the Indonesian goerment is building the Suramadu Bridge between Surabaya and the island of Madura; when completed, it will be the longest bridge in the country. Madura is currently accessible by a ferry service that operates regularly from surabya’s port, Tanjung Perak ( which literally means : “ Silver Cape” in Indonesian ).
Surabaya is home to the eastern Armada, one of the two in the Indonesian Navy. Its strongmaritime heritage is also reflected with submarine monument a ral retired Russian submarine, called Pasopati, that was converted into a museum ship in the city center.
Flooding is common in many areas of the city during the rainy season, mostly caused by clogged sewers and inept bureaucracy. The fact that Surabaya is located in a river delta and has a flat and relatively low elevation doesn’t help the matter either.
Surabaya is the location of the only synagogue in Indonesia, although it is currently inactive.
Surabaya’s zoo, opened in 1916, was the first in the world to have successfully bred orangutans in captivity.
Transport
The city is served by Juanda International Airport
Demographics
Surabaya is the second most populous city in Indonesia,after Jakarta. The City is highly urbanized, due to the many industries located in the city, and as a result, there are also a large slum area. As the main educatin center, Surabaya has been the home for many students from around Indonesia. Thus they have created their own community. Also, Surabaya is the main commercial regionally, hence many outsiders live in Surabaya.
Ethnicity
Most its population are Javanese descent. Notable minorities includeBalinese, Madurese from nearby Madura Island and Chinese Indonesians.
Language
Most citizens speak a unuque dialect of Javanese called Surabayan, This dalect is noted for equality and directness in speech. The usage of register is less strict than the Central Javan dialect. The Surabaya dialect is actively promoted in local media, such as in local TV shows, radio and the traditional dramas called Loedroek. The Madurese language influences the Surabayan dialect of Javanese spoken in the streets.
Religion
Islam is the religion in Surabaya. Other religions including Christia, Catholoc, Hindu and Buddhism.
