Blitar

Summary

Blitar is a landlocked city in East Java, Indonesia, about 73 km from Malang and 167 km from Surabaya. The area lies within longitude 111° 40' – 112° 09' East and its latitude is 8° 06' South. The city of Blitar lies at an altitude on average 167 metres above sea level,[2] and is an enclave within Blitar Regency which surrounds the city on all sides. It covers an area of 32.57 km2, and had a population of 131,968 at the 2010 Census[3] and 149,149 at the 2020 Census;[4] the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 151,960 (comprising 75,587 males and 76,373 females).[1]

Blitar
Clockwise from top left: Sukarno Mausoleum, Penataran Temple, Plumbangan Temple, Istana Gebang
Coat of arms of Blitar
Motto: 
Kridha Hangudi Jaya
Location within East Java
Location within East Java
Blitar is located in Java
Blitar
Blitar
Location in Java and Indonesia
Blitar is located in Indonesia
Blitar
Blitar
Blitar (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 8°06′S 112°09′E / 8.100°S 112.150°E / -8.100; 112.150
Country Indonesia
Province East Java
City (1906-04-01) April 1, 1906 (age 117)
Government
 • MayorSantoso
 • Vice MayorTjutjuk Sunario
Area
 • Total32.57 km2 (12.58 sq mi)
Elevation
167 m (548 ft)
Population
 (mid 2022 estimate)
 • Total151,960
 • Density4,700/km2 (12,000/sq mi)
 [1]
Time zoneUTC+7 (Indonesia Western Time)
Postcode
66100
Area code(+62) 342
Vehicle registrationAG
Websiteblitarkota.go.id

The city is noted as the location of the grave of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, five kilometers from the city plaza. The Istana Gebang (Gebang palace) where Sukarno lived as a child is nearby and has been converted into a museum. containing numerous items commemorating Sukarno's place in Indonesian history.[5] In addition, the very active Kelud volcano is located just over 20 kilometers north of Blitar.

Administrative districts edit

Blitar city is divided into three districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their population totals from the 2010 census[3] and the 2020 census,[4] together with the official estimates as at mid 2022.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (urban kelurahan) in each district, and its postal codes.

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
District
(kecamatan)
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
census
2010
Pop'n
census
2020
Pop'n
estimate
mid 2022
Admin
centre
No.
of
villages
Post
codes
35.72.02 Sukorejo 9.92 44,043 51,998 53,420 Sukorejo 7 66121 - 66126
35.72.01 Kepanjenkidul 10.50 38,715 41,679 42,060 Bendo 7 66113 - 66117
35.72.03 Sawanwetan 12.15 49,210 55,472 56,480 Sawanwetan 7 66133 - 66137
Totals 32.57 131,968 149,149 151,960 Kepanjenkidul 21

The names of the kelurahan in each district are:

  • Sukorejo District: Blitar, Karangsari, Sukorejo, Pakunden, Tanjungsari, Turi, Tlumpu
  • Kepanjenkidul District: Bendo, Kauman, Kepanjenkidul, Kepanjenlor, Ngadirejo, Sentul, Tanggung
  • Sawanwetan District: Bendogerit, Gedog, Karangtengah, Klampok, Plosokerep, Rembang, Sananwetan

Local economic governance edit

Based on the survey conducted between August 2010 and January 2011, Blitar was rated number one in Indonesia for local economic governance, being considered particularly good in infrastructure, the interaction between local administrations and businesses, business licensing, and regional head capacity and integrity.[6]

Sukarno's Mausoleum edit

It is located at Bendogerit village, in Sunanwetan district, about 2 kilometres from Blitar city.

The tomb is built in East Javanese "Joglo" architectural pattern, and combined with Gateway of Bentar. The mausoleum is 51 feet high, with a copper roof of a three-tier building. Underneath, Sukarno's plot is flanked by that of his mother and father. A stone of black andesite bears the inscription, "Here lies Bung Karno, proclaimer of independence, first president of Indonesia." Beside the main building of the tomb, the graveyard complex has Gapura Agung (The Great Gate), Mosque, halls, parks, a rest-area, and a parking place.

The tomb is opened to the public, attracts a large number of visitors, both domestic and international. About 1.5 million people visit the tomb annually.[7]

University in Blitar edit

  • Nahdlatul Ulama University of Blitar
  • Balitar Islamic University
  • Kesuma Negara College of Economics (STIEKEN)
  • PGRI Blitar Teacher Training and Education College (STKIP PGRI Blitar)
  • Patria Husada College of Health Sciences (STIKES Patria Husada)
  • Indonesian Tax Management Academy (AMPINDO)
  • Putra Sang Fajar Blitar State Community Academy (AKN Putra Sang Fajar)[8][9]

People from Blitar edit

 
Bathing place near Temple Panataran, near Blitar

Climate edit

Blitar has a tropical monsoon climate (Am) with moderate to little rainfall from June to October and heavy rainfall from November to May.

Climate data for Blitar
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28.8
(83.8)
28.9
(84.0)
29.2
(84.6)
29.5
(85.1)
29.6
(85.3)
29.8
(85.6)
29.6
(85.3)
30.0
(86.0)
30.7
(87.3)
30.9
(87.6)
30.0
(86.0)
29.3
(84.7)
29.7
(85.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3)
24.7
(76.5)
24.9
(76.8)
24.9
(76.8)
24.6
(76.3)
24.3
(75.7)
23.7
(74.7)
23.9
(75.0)
24.6
(76.3)
25.1
(77.2)
25.0
(77.0)
24.8
(76.6)
24.6
(76.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20.5
(68.9)
20.6
(69.1)
20.6
(69.1)
20.4
(68.7)
19.7
(67.5)
18.8
(65.8)
17.9
(64.2)
17.9
(64.2)
18.6
(65.5)
19.4
(66.9)
20.0
(68.0)
20.3
(68.5)
19.6
(67.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 296
(11.7)
271
(10.7)
265
(10.4)
191
(7.5)
131
(5.2)
81
(3.2)
45
(1.8)
24
(0.9)
32
(1.3)
102
(4.0)
191
(7.5)
283
(11.1)
1,912
(75.3)
Source: Climate-Data.org[10]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2023, Kota Blitar Dalam Angka 2023 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3572)
  2. ^ "BPS Provinsi Jawa Timur". jatim.bps.go.id. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  3. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  5. ^ "Many memories: Photographs inside Istana Gebang tell their own stories about the life of young Sukarno and his family. (Photo by Mary Sasmiro) | Jakarta Post Travel". Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-06-06.
  6. ^ The Jakarta Post. "Blitar Leads Economic Governance Survey". Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  7. ^ "Even in Death, Sukarno Wins Tribute From Indonesians". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  8. ^ Sa'adah, Dwi Lailatus (2023-11-24). "Jangan Kelewatan! Intip 5 Kampus Terkenal di Blitar". Times Indonesia. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  9. ^ Lindawati, Dwi. "10 Rekomendasi Universitas di Blitar, Pilihan Tempat Kuliah Terbaik dan Berkualitas". Tugu Jatim (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  10. ^ "Climate: Blitar". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 16 November 2020.

Further reading edit

  • Witton, Patrick (2003). Indonesia (7th ed.). Melbourne: Lonely Planet. pp. 285–286. ISBN 1-74059-154-2.

External links edit

  • (in Indonesian) Official site of Blitar City
  • (in Indonesian) Official site of Blitar Regency
  • Heraldry of Blitar