Jakarta is the political capital of Indonesia and also the largest and most populated region of the country. In the recent past the city has come up as a major hub of commercial and industrial activities not only of Indonesia but also of Asia. The city has got a well-developed transport service, flashy markets and shopping malls, houses the offices of innumerable national and international organization. For the huge rate of employment Jakarta is also the most economically developed area of Indonesia and is also a major international tourist destination with wide variety of hotels and restaurants.

Some key points about Jakarta are given below:

• Best time to Visit Jakarta and general climate:
  
  

  For its unique geographical location Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia enjoy a tropical climate throughout the year. Being apart of Indonesia, Jakarta is also a tropical, humid city where the annual temperature ranges between 24 and 34 degree Celsius with a relative humidity of 75-85 per cent. The city gets an annual rainfall of more than 1,700 mm. You would surely enjoy the sea winds in the city. Jakarta, Central Kalimantan, Java and Sumatra are the wettest region of Indonesia where rainfall is a normal phenomenon throughout the year. So the best time to visit Jakarta is between June and September because the rate of rainfall tends to be lower at that time.

• Area and location:
  
  

  Jakarta, the political capital of Indonesia is located on the North-Western coast of Java on a wide flat alluvial plain and at an altitude of 50 meters above the sea level. It covers a huge area of 661.52 square kilometers and is the home to 8,792,000 (according to 2004 census). Jakarta is bound by the Java Sea in the North, Bekasi district in the East Bogor district in the South and Tangerang district in the East. With a population of 44,283 people per square mile, Jakarta is the 11th largest city in and the ninth most densely populated city in the world at present. Though majority of the people in the city is Muslim (86 per cent) the city is also home to six per cent Protestants, four per cent Roman Catholics and four per cent Buddhists and Hindus.

• Delicacies of Jakarta:
  
  

  The traditional cuisine of Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia is one of the most important aspects of the culture and heritage of the country. Just like other things the cuisine of Indonesia also reflects the unity in diversity that prevails in the country. In Indonesia the main meal is generally cooked in the late morning. It includes a soup and salad. As the majority of the people are Muslim items of beef and sambals are most favorite. Part from these Soy-based dishes like tofu, tempeh are also very popular. Wide variety of Chinese preparations is also common in Indonesia and most common items are buns and noodles. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is the most common traditional Indonesian dish, while sate (skewered meats with peanut sauce), gado-gado, and sea-foods are also delicious preparations that you as a tourist should not miss in Indonesia.

• Government:
  
  

  Though Jakarta is considered as a city, it is officially a province with a special status; it is the political capital of the country. Jakarta is administered as every other province of the country. In Jakarta the administration is looked after by a Governor (mayor for other provinces) and the five cities that falls under the province are looked after by respective mayors. Jakarta province has been further divided into several sub-regions having administrative systems of their own.
  
  The five cities of Jakarta are:
  
  

  • Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat)
    
    
  • East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur)
    
    
  • North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara)
    
    
  • South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
    
    
  • West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat)