Jakarta

Jakarta (pop. 8,222,500), capital and largest city of Indonesia, in northwestern Java. It is the country's commercial, transport, and industrial center, manufacturing automobiles, textiles, chemicals, and iron products, and processing lumber and food. Much of Indonesia's foreign trade passes through the port. The city grew out of the Dutch East India Company settlement of Batavia (1619). With independence in 1949 it was made the capital and renamed Djakarta, now officially spelled Jakarta.

See also: Indonesia.