Tarakan, Indonesia

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Tarakan, Indonesia

Region: North Kalimantan

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Geographic Coordinates: 3.300000, 117.633000

Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year, with no distinct dry season.

Population: 201635

Language: Indonesian

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Tarakan is a small island located in the northern region of Indonesia, Bordering the Philippines and Malaysia. The island is known for its rich history, Beautiful beaches, And diverse wildlife. Tarakan has a population of approximately 200, 000 people who are predominantly Muslim. The island has a long history dating back to the 14th century when it was ruled by local sultanates. During World War II, Tarakan became an important strategic location for both the Japanese and Allied forces due to its proximity to oil reserves in Borneo.

Today, Visitors can still see remnants of this history through various war memorials and museums scattered across the island. One of Tarakan’s most popular attractions is its beaches. The island boasts several pristine white-sand beaches such as Amal Beach and Tanjung Batu Beach that offer stunning views of the clear blue waters surrounding it. Visitors can also enjoy water sports such as snorkeling or diving to explore the underwater world teeming with colorful marine life. For nature lovers, Tarakan offers a unique opportunity to witness some of Indonesia’s rarest wildlife species in their natural habitats.

The Mangrove Forest Conservation Area is home to various species including proboscis monkeys, Long-tailed macaques, Monitor lizards as well as migratory birds such as egrets and herons. The city also has several cultural landmarks that showcase traditional Indonesian architecture such as Masjid Raya Al-Khairaat Mosque which features intricate carvings on its walls and ceilings along with beautiful stained-glass windows. Visitors can also explore Pasar Senggol Market where they can find locally made handicrafts or sample delicious Indonesian street food like nasi goreng (fried rice) or satay (grilled meat skewers).

Despite being a small island town with limited infrastructure compared to larger cities like Jakarta or Bali, Tarakan offers plenty of opportunities for adventure seekers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience. With its rich history, Stunning beaches, Diverse wildlife, And vibrant culture, Tarakan is a destination worth exploring for anyone looking to discover the wonders of Indonesia.

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1. Amal Beach
2. Juwata International Airport
3. Bukit Pelangi Tarakan
4. Mangrove Forest Tarakan
5. Tanjung Selor Beach
6. War Relics Museum Tarakan
7. Karang Anyar Monument
8. Berlabuh Park
9. Taman Teluk Haur
10. Pulau Sapi Wildlife Reserve

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1. Oil and Gas Industry: Tarakan is home to a large oil refinery operated by Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned oil company.
2. Fishing Industry: The city has a thriving fishing industry due to its location on the coast of the Celebes Sea.
3. Timber Industry: Tarakan is surrounded by dense forests that provide timber for furniture and paper production.
4. Agriculture: The city produces rice, corn, vegetables, fruits, and other crops for local consumption and export.
5. Tourism: Tarakan has several tourist attractions such as beaches, nature reserves, historical sites, and cultural festivals that attract visitors from around the world.
6. Retail Trade: There are numerous shops selling various goods including clothing items at affordable prices in Tarakan City Centre which attracts shoppers from neighboring countries like Malaysia or Brunei Darussalam who come for shopping trips regularly throughout the year.
7. Transportation Services: The city serves as an important transportation hub with its airport (Juwata International Airport) connecting it to other parts of Indonesia via air travel while sea transport links it with other cities in Kalimantan or Sulawesi Island through regular ferry services available at Tarakan Port which can be accessed easily by road users too due to good connectivity via highways connecting major cities nearby such as Balikpapan or Samarinda etc..’

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1. Tarakan played a crucial role in the Pacific War during World War II, and was the site of intense fighting between Allied and Japanese forces.
2. The city is renowned for its oil reserves, and has been a significant crude oil producer since the early 1900s.
3. Tarakan was previously governed by the Sultanate of Tarakan, which was established in the late 1700s.
4. Dr. Soetomo, a distinguished Indonesian nationalist leader, visited Tarakan in 1926 to promote his anti-colonial message.
5. During World War II’s Borneo campaign in 1945, Allied troops carried out amphibious operations around Tarakan.
6. Tjilik Riwut, a Dayak politician who served as Governor of Central Kalimantan from 1964 to 1999, contributed substantially to modernizing and developing the province.
7. The Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) founded a trading post on Tarakan Island in the early seventeenth century that helped establish Dutch colonial influence on Borneo.
8. Haji Mangku Rat II was one of the last sultans to rule over Tarakan before it became part of Indonesia after independence from Dutch colonial rule.
9. Pangeran Praboe Anom made significant contributions to city development by establishing schools, hospitals, and other public facilities.
10. Dr. Abdul Rivai played an important role during Indonesia’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule, and is recognized as one of Indonesia’s founding fathers.

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1. War Monument: This monument honors the brave soldiers who fought in the Battle of Tarakan during World War II.
2. Mangrove Park: This park is a wonderful destination to explore the mangrove forest and learn about the local flora and fauna.
3. Kebun Sayur Market: This lively market is a fantastic place to experience local culture and indulge in some delicious Indonesian cuisine.
4. Tarakan City Museum: The museum exhibits showcase the rich history and culture of Tarakan, including traditional crafts, music, and dance.
5. Pasar Pagi Market: Another popular market in Tarakan where you can purchase fresh produce, seafood, spices, and other local products.
6. Masjid Raya Al-Khairat Mosque: One of Indonesia’s largest mosques with stunning architecture featuring intricate details.
7. Bukit Pelangi Viewpoint: A picturesque viewpoint overlooking the city that offers panoramic views of Tarakan Island and its surroundings.
8. Taman Kota Park: A serene park with lush greenery, ponds, fountains, playgrounds for children, and walking paths for visitors to enjoy.
9. Rumah Adat Tidung Traditional House Museum: A museum that showcases traditional houses from various regions across Indonesia including Tidung Island which is located near Tarakan Island.
10. Pulau Derawan Marine National Park: Located near Tarakan island this marine national park offers breathtaking beaches, snorkeling, diving opportunities along with seeing turtles, dolphins, whales etc.

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1. Tarakan City Anniversary is an annual festival celebrated on January 16th to commemorate the founding of Tarakan city.
2. The Bajau Cultural Festival is a celebration of the sea-faring ethnic group, Bajau, in Tarakan and other parts of Indonesia. The festival features traditional music, dance, and food.
3. The Dayak Cultural Festival showcases the unique culture of the indigenous Dayak people in Kalimantan (Borneo), including Tarakan. Traditional music, dance, costumes, and handicrafts are showcased during this festival.
4. Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by the predominantly Muslim community in Tarakan with prayer services, family gatherings, and feasting after fasting during Ramadan.
5. Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese community in Tarakan with lion dances, dragon dances, firecrackers and other festivities.
6. Independence Day Celebration takes place every August 17th to commemorate Indonesia’s independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945.
7. Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th every year with church services followed by family gatherings.
8. Tanjung Selor Festival is held annually in nearby town Tanjung Selor featuring cultural performances from various tribes across North Kalimantan province including Suku Tidung, Suku Bulungan, Suku Kayan etc.
9. North Kalimantan Expo showcases various products, services, culture, tourism potentials etc from across North Kalimantan province held annually usually around end of November or early December.

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• Soto Banjar: a traditional soup made with chicken or beef, served with rice cakes and crackers. It can be found at Warung Soto Banjar.
• Nasi Kuning: yellow rice dish cooked with coconut milk and turmeric, served with various side dishes such as fried chicken or fish, vegetables, and sambal (chili sauce). It is available at Rumah Makan Bunda.
• Ikan Bakar: grilled fish marinated in spices such as turmeric and lemongrass, usually served with steamed rice and sambal. It can be found at Warung Ikan Bakar Pak Yadi.
• Es Kelapa Muda: refreshing drink made from young coconut water mixed with syrup or sugar water and ice cubes. It is available at Es Kelapa Muda Asli Tarakan.
• Seafood: Tarakan is known for its fresh seafood such as crabs, prawns, squid, clams, and fish cooked in various ways including grilled (bakar), steamed (tim), fried (goreng), or stir-fried (tumis). Some recommended seafood restaurants are Restoran Lautan Masak Jaya Abadi and Restoran Seafood Purnama Jaya.
• Kopi Tarakan: locally grown coffee beans roasted to perfection to produce a strong yet smooth taste of coffee that you can enjoy at Kopi Luwak Tarakan or Kopi Tiam Oey Hie.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Juwata Park
2. Mangrove Forest Conservation Area
3. Taman Kota Tarakan (Tarakan City Park)
4. Bukit Pelangi Tarakan (Rainbow Hill Tarakan)
5. Taman Wisata Alam Teluk Harapan (Teluk Harapan Nature Tourism Park)
6. Pulau Sapi (Cow Island) Beach
7. Pulau Bunyu (Bunyu Island) Beach
8. Karang Anyar Lagoon
9. Kebun Raya Tarakan (Tarakan Botanical Garden)
10. Kayu Ara Beach

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Leave Footprints In The Sand.

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