Palembang

Palembang
AMPERA Bridge in Palembang
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): "Bumi Sriwijaya (The Land of Srivijaya)"
Motto: Palembang BARI (Bersih, Aman, Rapi, Indah) (Palembang: Clean, Safe, Neat, and Beautiful)
Palembang Location of Palembang in Indonesia
Coordinates: 2°59′27.99″S 104°45′24.24″E / 2.9911083°S 104.7567333°E / -2.9911083; 104.7567333
Country	Indonesia
Province	South Sumatra
City	Palembang
Incorporated (city)	June 16, 683
Government
- Mayor	H. Eddy Santana Putra (2008-2013)
- Vice Mayor	H. Romi Herton (2008-2013)
Area
- Total	400.61 km2 (154.7 sq mi)
Population (2000)
- Total	1,441,500
- Density	3,599/km2 (9,321.4/sq mi)
Time zone	WIB (UTC+7)
Area code(s)	0711
Website	www.palembang.go.id

Palembang is the capital city of South Sumatra Province of Indonesia. It was formerly known as the capital city of the ancient Kingdom of Srivijaya. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400,61 square kilometres and a population of 1.441.500. Palembang is the second-largest city in Sumatra after Medan and the seventh-largest city in Indonesia.

Palembang landmarks include the Ampera bridge and the Musi River which divides the city into two, Seberang Ilir to the north and Seberang Ulu to the south. The Seberang Ilir is the economic and cultural centre and the Seberang Ulu is the political centre.

History

The city was once the capital of the ancient, Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya that controlled a large part of what is now Malaysia and Indonesia. Following a 1025 raid by the Chola Empire (In the period of Emperor Rajendra Chola I) of southern India it began to gradually decline in importance. Srivijaya's capital eventually moved northward to Jambi. Palembang is also the origin of Parameswara, founder of the Malacca Sultanate.

The architectural legacy of Dutch colonization is still visible in the city. Deep-water port facilities are built along the Musi River, which flows through the city.

The naval Battle of Palembang was fought near the city during the Second World War between February 13-February 15, 1942.

Administration

Palembang divided into 16 districts and 107 sub-districts, they are:

• Ilir Timur I
• Ilir Timur II
• Ilir Barat I
• Ilir Barat II
• Seberang Ulu I
• Seberang Ulu II
• Sukarame
• Sako
• Bukit Kecil
• Kemuning
• Kertapati
• Plaju
• Gandus
• Kalidoni
• Alang-alang lebar
• Sematang Borang

Citizen

Palembang bride in Aesan Gede wedding costume wearing gold jewelry and songket Palembang.

The Palembangnese is one of Malays family, they speak Malay as their language but with their own dialect and they called it Bahasa Palembang. Other people that are not native to Palembang but still came from South Sumatra usually blended their language with Bahasa Palembang, such as Bahasa Komering, Lahat, Rawas, etc. There are also the people that came from outer South Sumatra. Most of them are Javanese, Chinese, Arab, Indian, Minangkabau, and Sundanese.

The major religion in Palembang is Muslim. But they are also Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Konghucu.

Transportation

Palembang residents recognized some city mini-bus route, such as: There are also traditional and speed boat that serve the people who live near the riverside and they called the traditional boat as the Ketek.

The city is served by Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport which has scheduled flights to many cities in Indonesia and also to Singapore by Silk Air and Malaysia by Air Asia. This new flight destination just offered by the airport since they have renovated the airport into international airport.

Palembang also has three main harbor, Boom Baru Harbor, 36 Ilir Harbor, and Tanjung Api-api Harbor. There are many of ferries that serve the passengers from Palembang to Muntok Harbor in Bangka Island and also to Batam Island through them.

Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport serves Palembang and other cities around South Sumatra Province. The Boom Baru Harbor is the main harbor of Palembang, it is located on the north coast of Musi River and also connected Palembang with Bangka-Belitung Islands Province.

Economy

Palembang's economy has been developed significantly since it became a host for a National Sporting Event in 2004. The city government has set a revenue target of IDR 3.5 billion from advertising alone.^{[citation needed]}. Palembang was also one of hosts of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.^{[citation needed]}

Achievements

Some of the achievements of Palembang:

1. Host of Indonesian National Sport Week in 2004
2. Host of AFC Asian Cup 2007
3. 1st place of the cleanest metropolitan city in Indonesia 2007 (Adipura Award)
4. 1st place of the cleanest metropolitan city in Indonesia 2008 (Adipura Award)
5. 1st place of Asean Environment Sustainable City 2008

External links

• City of Palembang government - in Indonesian
• Heraldry of Palembang
• Visit Musi 2008