Java, Indonesia Facts & Worksheets

One of Indonesia’s Greater Sunda Islands is Java. The Java Sea and the Indian Ocean both border it on opposite sides. Java is the most populated island in the world, home to over 56% of Indonesia’s total population, with a population of 151.6 million.

See the fact file below for more information on Java, Indonesia, or you can download our 27-page Java, Indonesia worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GEOGRAPHY

• Java is located between Sumatra and Bali to the west and east, respectively. To the north is Borneo, and to the south is Christmas Island. It is the 13th largest island worldwide. Java is bounded to the north by the Java Sea, to the west by the Sunda Strait, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the east by the Bali Strait and the Madura Strait.
• Java is primarily volcanic in origin, with thirty-eight mountains creating an east-west spine that have all been active volcanoes at a certain time. Mount Semeru is Java’s tallest volcano, 3,676 meters (12,060 feet). , at 2,930 meters (9,610 feet), is Java’s and Indonesia’s most active volcano. Java contains about 150 mountains.
• Java covers around 150,000 square kilometers (58,000 square miles). It is around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) long and up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) wide. The Solo River is the island’s longest river, stretching 600 kilometers.
• The heart of Java is divided by mountains and highlands into a succession of relatively isolated zones appropriate for wet-rice farming; Java’s rice plains are among the wealthiest in the world. Java was the first place in Indonesia where coffee was grown, beginning in 1699.
• Small-holders and larger plantations grow coffea arabica in the Ijen Plateau nowadays.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

• Java’s ecological makeup is tropical rainforest, with ecosystems varying from coastal mangrove forest on the north coast to rocky coastal cliffs on the south and low-lying tropical forest to the high-altitude rainforest on the sides of mountainous volcanic regions in its interior. The Javan environment and climate progressively change from west to east, from wet and humid thick rainforest in the west to dry savanna in the east, correlating to the climate and rainfall in those areas.
• To support the rising population, people have opened the rainforest, transformed the ecology, molded the landforms, and developed rice paddies and terraces since ancient times. Javan rice terraces have been around for millennia and have sustained ancient agricultural kingdoms.
• Javan wildlife once maintained a diverse biodiversity, with endemic species such as the Javan rhinoceros, Javan banteng, Javan warty pig, Javan hawk-eagle, Javan peafowl, Javan silvery gibbon, Javan lutung, Java mouse-deer, Javan rusa, and Javan leopard flourishing. Java is a birdwatcher’s dream, with around 450 bird species and 37 endemic species. On Java, there are over 130 freshwater fish species. Java also has various indigenous amphibian species, including five tree frog species.
• Some of Java’s indigenous species are now highly endangered, and some have become extinct; Java once had Javan tigers and Javan elephants, but both are now extinct. Java now has several national parks that conserve the island’s delicate fauna, including Ujung Kulon, Mount Halimun-Salak, Gede Pangrango, Baluran, Meru Betiri, Bromo Tengger Semeru, and Alas Purwo.

HISTORY

• Homo erectus, commonly referred to as the “Java Man,” fossilized remains going back 1.3 million years were discovered along the shores of the Bengawan Solo River. It is the longest river on the Indonesian island of Java.
• The island’s unique fertility and rainfall enabled the growth of wet-field rice agriculture, which necessitated complex levels of local cooperation.
• Small kingdoms grew out of these regional agreements. Before the arrival of Islamic governments and European colonialism, rivers served as the primary mode of communication, although most of Java’s rivers are short. Brantas and Solo rivers were the only rivers that could allow communication over long distances, and their valleys supported the great kingdoms’ centers. 
• The emergence of Aji Saka in 78 CE is typically cited as the beginning of civilization on the island of Java. Although Aji Saka is believed to be the founder of civilization in Java, the myth has been challenged and refuted by various historical sources. Valmiki’s Ramayana, written approximately 500 BCE, shows that Java had a government long before the story.

 Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms era

• Sunda and Western Java’s Taruma kingdoms emerged in the 4th and 7th centuries, accordingly, while the Kalingga Kingdom dispatched emissaries to China beginning in 640. The first excellent principality, however, was the Mataram Kingdom, which emerged in central Java at the start of the eighth century.
• Mataram’s religion was centered on the Hindu god Shiva, and the kingdom was responsible for some of Java’s first Hindu temples on the Dieng Plateau. The Sailendra dynasty rose in Kedu Plain about the 8th century and became the patron of Mahayana Buddhism. 

Spread of Islam and the rise of Islamic Sultanates

• At the end of the 16th century, Islam became the dominant religion in Java. The Islamic kingdoms of Demak, Cirebon, and Banten were dominant during this period. By the end of the 16th century, the Mataram Sultanate had established itself as the dominating authority in central and eastern Java. Surabaya and Cirebon were eventually surrendered, leaving only Mataram and Banten to confront the Dutch in the 17th century.

Colonial Periods

• Java’s initial contact with European colonial powers occurred in 1522, with a treaty signed in Malacca between the Portuguese and the Sunda kingdom. Following its collapse, the Portuguese were relegated to Malacca and the eastern islands.
• The first Dutch encounter with Indonesia was made in 1596 by a four-ship voyage headed by Cornelis de Houtman. By the end of the 18th century, the Dutch East India Company in Indonesia had extended its control over the sultanates in the interior. 
• Javanese kings claimed divine permission to reign, and the Dutch assisted them in preserving traces of Javanese aristocracy by confirming them as regents or district administrators inside the colonial administration.
• During the early colonial period, Java was primarily a rice grower. Rice was often imported from Java to compensate for the lack of subsistence resources on spice-producing islands such as Banda.
• Java may have had five million people in 1815. In the second part of the 18th century, population spurts began in areas along the north-central coast of Java, and the population surged fast over the island in the 19th century. 
• From the 1840s to the Japanese occupation in the 1940s, Java experienced no serious famines. Other sources, however, stated that the Dutch Cultivation system was associated with famines and diseases in the 1840s, first in Cirebon and then in Central Java due to cash crops like indigo and sugar having to be produced instead of rice.
• From the 1840s to the Japanese occupation in the 1940s, Java experienced no serious famines. Other sources, however, stated that the Dutch Cultivation system was associated with famines and diseases in the 1840s, first in Cirebon and then in Central Java due to cash crops like indigo and sugar having to be produced instead of rice.

Independence

• Java was the heart of Indonesian nationalism in the early twentieth century, and the war for the nation’s independence after World War II took place in Java. Indonesian independence was declared in 1949.

ETHNICITY

• Despite its vast population, Java has a relatively uniform ethnic composition. The island is home to only two ethnic groups: Javanese and Sundanese. The Madurese live on the island of Madura off the northeast coast of Java. The fourth group is the Betawi, who speak a Malay dialect and are descendants of the people who lived near Batavia.

ARCHITECTURE

• The Javanese have constructed many noteworthy buildings over their long history, including Hindu monuments, Buddhist stupas, mortuary temples, royal complexes, and mosques.
• The Hindu temple of Prambanan and the Buddhist temple of Borobudur are religious icons. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites from the ninth century. These are located on the slopes of Mount Merapi near the city of Yogyakarta. Candi Plaosan, commonly known as the ‘Plaosan Complex,’ is a Buddhist temple near Bugisan village in the Prambanan region.
• Meanwhile, examples of secular architecture can be found in the remains of Trowulan, East Java, the previous capital of the Majapahit Kingdom. The complex has an 11 km × 9 km size. It comprises a variety of brick structures featuring a 20 to 40-meter-wide canal, purifying baths, temples, and characteristic split gates. The capital complex is currently assessed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site candidate.
• The trapezoid-shaped roof, backed by wooden pillars, distinguishes traditional Javanese buildings. Pendopo, an open-sided pavilion with four massive pillars, is another prevalent element in Javanese architecture. This architectural style can be found in the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta’s kraton or palace.
• Agung Demak Mosque, Menara Kudus Mosque, and the Grand Mosque of Banten are some famous examples of mosques built in traditional Javanese architecture. The Kudus Mosque is also notable for its Hindu-style stone building.

Java, Indonesia Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Java, Indonesia, across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Java, Indonesia. One of Indonesia’s Greater Sunda Islands is Java. The Java Sea and the Indian Ocean both border it on opposite sides.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Java, Indonesia Facts
2. Java’s Profile
3. Circle of Wildlife
4. Get To Know Them
5. Picture Perfect
6. Tourist Tips
7. Symbol I Think Of
8. Read Me!
9. Which Is Correct?
10. A Whole Lot Of History
11. 3-2-1 How To Save One?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Java, Indonesia?

Java is an island in Indonesia located in the western portion of the country. It is the most populous island in Indonesia and the world and is home to over 140 million people.

What are some notable features of Java?

Java is known for its stunning natural beauty, including volcanoes, mountains, and beaches. It is also home to many ancient temples and cultural landmarks, including the Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What is the climate like in Java?

Java has a tropical climate, with hot and humid weather throughout the year. It has a wet season from October to April and a dry season from May to September.

What is the economy like in Java?

Java is the economic and cultural center of Indonesia and is home to many of the country’s largest cities and most important industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

What are some popular activities for visitors to Java?

Visitors to Java can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking in the mountains, exploring ancient temples and cultural landmarks, relaxing on the beach, and sampling the local cuisine. Some of the most popular destinations in Java include Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bandung.

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