Samarinda, Indonesia

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Samarinda, Indonesia

Region: East Kalimantan


Geographic Coordinates: -0.500000, 117.138000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and frequent rainfall throughout the year.
Population: 753370
Language: Indonesian

Samarinda is a city in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, Situated on the banks of the Mahakam River. The city is known for its natural resources and cultural diversity. The Mahakam River is a popular attraction in Samarinda, Offering visitors various activities such as boat tours, Fishing and bird watching. The city’s cultural diversity can be seen in its food, Architecture and festivals celebrated throughout the year.

For those interested in history and culture, There are several museums worth visiting including Mulawarman Museum which houses ancient artifacts from various cultures found around East Kalimantan region; Museum Kayu Kerangas where visitors can see various wooden crafts made by local craftsmen; or Kutai Kartanegara Cultural Heritage Center with exhibitions about Kutai Kingdom’s history. Samarinda also offers numerous hiking trails leading into lush rainforests filled with exotic wildlife such as orangutans or proboscis monkeys.

The culinary scene in Samarinda should not be missed either with local dishes like nasi kuning (yellow rice), Soto banjar (chicken soup) or mi celor (noodle soup). The city has an airport and seaport connecting it to other parts of Indonesia making it an ideal gateway to explore other areas in East Kalimantan such as Kutai National Park or Derawan Islands – a popular diving spot with beautiful coral reefs and sea turtles.

Samarinda is a diverse city that offers something for everyone from its natural beauty to its delicious cuisine making it an increasingly popular destination among tourists visiting Indonesia.



Important Landmarks

  1. Mahakam River
  2. Tenggarong Sultanate Palace
  3. Mulawarman Museum
  4. Kutai National Park
  5. Bukit Soeharto Forest Park
  6. Samarinda Islamic Center Mosque
  7. Pampang Cultural Village
  8. Sungai Wain Protection Forest
  9. Taman Bekapai Park
  10. Segiri Stadium

Primary Industries

Samarinda Industries and Businesses

  1. Coal mining
    • One of the largest industries in Samarinda
    • Several coal mines operating within the city limits
  2. Oil and gas
    • Pertamina, Chevron, and ExxonMobil are present in the region
    • Significant contribution to the economy
  3. Timber industry
    • Thriving industry due to proximity to vast rainforests
    • Provides wood for various purposes
  4. Agriculture
    • Rice paddies cultivated on the outskirts of the city
    • Significant industry
  5. Manufacturing
    • Small-scale units produce textiles, food products, and furniture items
    • Located within the city limits
  6. Retail business
    • Flourishing rapidly due to increasing population and growing economy
    • Malls like Big Mall Samarinda offer shopping options for citizens
  7. Tourism
    • Natural beauty attracts visitors from all over Indonesia
    • Mahakam river delta area and Kutai National Park offer hiking trails through dense jungle terrain
    • Emerging tourism sector within the region

Noteable History

  1. The establishment of Samarinda as the capital of East Kalimantan province in 1956.
  2. The construction of the Mahakam Bridge in 1985, which connects Samarinda to other parts of East Kalimantan.
  3. The devastating floods that hit Samarinda in January 2021, causing widespread damage and displacement.
  4. Haji Muhammad Sulaiman Al-Kahar, a prominent Islamic scholar and founder of the Al-Kahar Mosque in Samarinda.
  5. Pangeran Diponegoro, a Javanese prince who was exiled to Samrinda during the Dutch colonial period.
  6. Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport, named after a former sultan of Kutai Kartanegara who ruled from his palace in Samarinda.
  7. Koes Plus, a legendary Indonesian band from Surabaya that gained popularity throughout Indonesia including Samarinda with their unique style combining Western rock music with traditional Indonesian music elements.
  8. Gubernur Awang Farouk Ishak Stadium – A multi-purpose stadium located in downtown Samarinda used mostly for football matches and is home stadium for Persisam Putra Sampali FC football team based on this city since its founding until now.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Museum Kayu Samarinda is a museum that showcases the traditional wooden architecture and culture of the Dayak people of Kalimantan.
  2. Taman Budaya is an art center that hosts various cultural performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
  3. Mahakam River is the longest river in East Kalimantan, where visitors can take a boat tour to see the local flora and fauna.
  4. Kutai National Park is a protected area that is home to diverse wildlife such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and clouded leopards.
  5. Bukit Soeharto is a conservation area that offers hiking trails with stunning views of the surrounding forests and hills.
  6. Kebun Raya Samarinda is a botanical garden with over 600 species of plants from across Indonesia.
  7. Pampang Cultural Village is an open-air museum that showcases traditional Dayak houses, handicrafts, dances, and music performances.
  8. Monument Perjuangan Rakyat Kalimantan Timur (Monpera) commemorates East Kalimantan’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945-1949.
  9. Masjid Islamic Center Samarinda is a grand mosque located on top of a hill overlooking the cityscape.
  10. Lembah Hijau Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located within Lembah Hijau Nature Reserve which is about 40 km away from Samarinda city center.


Sports Teams

  1. Persisam Samarinda: This football club was founded in 1961 and has been one of the most successful teams in East Kalimantan. They have won several championships, including the Liga Indonesia Premier Division in 2008.
  2. Borneo FC Samarinda: This football club was founded in 2014 and is based in Samarinda. They play their home matches at Segiri Stadium and have a strong following among local fans.
  3. Kaltim United FC: This football club was founded in 2017 as a merger between two local clubs, Mitra Kukar FC and Persepar Palangkaraya. They play their home matches at Aji Imbut Stadium and have quickly become one of the top teams in East Kalimantan.
  4. Putra Delta FC: This basketball team is based in Samarinda and competes in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). They were established in 2016 and have steadily improved each year, finishing as runners-up in the IBL West Division playoffs during the 2020 season.
  5. Bontang FC: Although not based directly within Samarinda itself, this football club from nearby Bontang has a large following among fans from across East Kalimantan. Founded back on January 18th,1992 they compete regularly within Liga Indonesia with varying degrees of success over time depending on their form throughout each season.


Cultural Events

  1. Samarinda Festival is a week-long event held annually in Samarinda, which showcases the city’s culture, traditions, and customs.
  2. Tenggarong Kutai Festival is held in Tenggarong near Samarinda and celebrates local culture with traditional dances, music performances, and food stalls.
  3. Dayak Cultural Festival celebrates the unique culture of the indigenous Dayak people with traditional music performances, dance shows, handicraft exhibitions and more.
  4. Pekan Raya Kalimantan Timur is an annual trade fair held in Samarinda that showcases local products from various industries like agriculture, fisheries and handicrafts.
  5. Kebun Raya Balikpapan Flower Festival is hosted every year by Balikpapan to showcase different types of flowers grown in the region near Samarinda.
  6. Kaltim Expo is an annual event where companies from all over Indonesia come to showcase their products and services to potential customers from East Kalimantan province including Samarinda.
  7. Pesona Mahakam River Festival celebrates life along Mahakam River that flows through East Kalimantan province including Samarinda with boat races & cultural performances by local communities living on its banks.
  8. Samaria City Run (SCR) is an annual marathon race organized by the city government of Samarinda to promote healthy living among citizens while showcasing some scenic locations around town including parks & riverside areas etc.

Cuisine

  1. Sate Banjar: a local specialty of grilled chicken or beef skewers served with peanut sauce and rice cake.
  2. Nasi Kuning: yellow rice cooked with coconut milk, turmeric, and other spices, often served with fried chicken or beef rendang.
  3. Bakso: meatball soup made from minced beef or fish served with noodles and vegetables.
  4. Warung Soto Ayam Pak Kumis: a popular restaurant serving soto ayam (chicken soup), nasi goreng (fried rice), and other Indonesian dishes.
  5. Rumah Makan Padang Sederhana: a Padang-style restaurant serving spicy curries, grilled fish, and other traditional dishes from Sumatra.
  6. Es Kelapa Muda Bu Yanti: a street vendor selling refreshing coconut water served in the shell or mixed with fruit juices.
  7. Bakmi Keriting Mangkok Ayam Kampung: a noodle shop famous for its curly noodles topped with shredded chicken and crispy fried shallots.
  8. Martabak Manis Bangka Asli Nana & Adeknya: a dessert stall selling sweet pancakes filled with chocolate, cheese, or peanuts.
  9. Kedai Kopi Takana Coffee & Eatery: a cozy café serving locally sourced coffee beans and light meals like sandwiches and salads.
  10. Depot Es Dawet Ayu Ibu Rini: A small eatery that serves traditional drinks such as Dawet Ayu which is made of coconut milk mixed together to produce an amazing taste that refreshes the body especially during hot weather conditions.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Taman Merdeka Samarinda
  2. Taman Hutan Kota Bukit Soeharto
  3. Taman Budaya Kutai Kartanegara
  4. Danau Semayang Samarinda
  5. Pantai Pasir Putih Balikpapan (nearby)
  6. Mahakam River Cruise
  7. Kayaking and Rafting on Mahakam River
  8. Hiking in Bukit Soeharto Forest Park
  9. Fishing in Jempang Lake
  10. Golfing at Bukit Barisan Golf Course

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