Jepara (Javanese: ꦗꦼꦥꦫ) is a regency in the northeast of the Indonesian province of Central Java. It covers an area of 1,020.25 km2 and had a population of 1,097,280 at the 2010 census[2] and 1,184,947 at the 2020 census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 1,264,598 (comprising 636,096 males and 628,502 females).[1] Its capital is Jepara town.

Jepara Regency
Kabupaten Jepara
Coat of arms of Jepara Regency
Motto: 
Trus Karyo Tataning Bumi
(Javanese: Keep working hard to build regional)
Location of Jepara Regency in Central Java
Location of Jepara Regency in Central Java
Coordinates: 6°32′0″S 110°40′0″E / 6.53333°S 110.66667°E / -6.53333; 110.66667
CountryIndonesia
ProvinceCentral Java
CapitalJepara
Government
 • RegentEdy Suprianta (until Regent Election 2024)
 • Vice Regent-
Area
 • Total
1,020.25 km2 (393.92 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)
 • Total
1,264,598
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
 [1]
Time zoneUTC+7 (WIB)
Area code+62 291 (mainland)
+62 297 (Karimun Java)
Websitejeparakab.go.id

History

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Jepara city views around the year 1650

People believed to have come from South Yunnan region migrated into the northern tip of Java during a time when Jepara was still separated by the Juwana Strait.[citation needed]

 
1858 map of Jepara

In the 16th century, Jepara was an important port; in early 1513, its king, Yunnus (Pati Unus) led an attack against Portuguese Malacca. His force is said to have been made up of one hundred ships and 5000 men from Jepara and Palembang but was defeated. Between 1518 and 1521 he apparently ruled over Demak. The rule of Ratu ('Queen') Kalinyamat in the latter 16th century was, however, Jepara's most influential. Jepara again attacked Malacca in 1551 this time with Johor but was defeated, and in 1574 besieged Malacca for three months.[4]

It is the birthplace of Indonesian national heroine Kartini.[5]

Geography

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Jepara Regency is located in the northeastern coastal region of Central Java, bordering Java Sea in the north and west, Kudus Regency and Pati Regency in the east, and Demak Regency in the south. The eastern border is primarily a mountainous region, with the most notable peak being Mount Muria. The regency also includes the Karimumjawa Archipelago, itself recognized as an administrative district, located in the Java Sea approximately 80 kilometres northwest from the mainland part of Jepara Regency.

Administrative Districts

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Jepara Regency comprises sixteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census[2] and the 2020 census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 184 rural desa and 11 urban kelurahan - the latter all in Jepara town district), and its post code.

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
District
(kecamatan)
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
census
2010
Pop'n
census
2020
Pop'n
estimate
mid 2023
Admin
centre
No.
of
villages
Post
code
33.20.01 Kedung 45.71 70,835 77,052 82,574 Bugel 18 59463
33.20.02 Pecangaan 37.08 77,172 82,924 90,126 Lebuawu 12 59460
33.20.13 Kalinyamatan 25.03 58,140 61,087 65,608 Margoyoso 12 59462
33.20.03 Welahan 29.21 69,496 75,971 81,688 Kalipucang Kulon 15 59464
33.20.04 Mayong 70.66 82,831 90,788 97,545 Pelemkerep 18 59465
33.20.12 Nalumsari 55.25 68,606 74,737 81,634 Gemiring Lor 15 59466
33.20.05 Batealit 96.20 77,923 84,741 90,565 Mindahan 11 59461
33.20.11 Tahunan 42.69 101,581 108,962 115,700 Tahunan 15 59421
-59451
33.20.06 Jepara (town) 27.05 79,508 81,838 85,151 Panggang 16 59411
-59432
33.20.07 Mlonggo 47.52 77,794 83,732 89,207 Jambu 8 59452
33.20.15 Pakis Aji 65.18 54,690 60,144 63,910 Lebak 8 59450
33.20.08 Bangsri 90.79 93,798 99,965 105,532 Bangsri 12 59453
33.20.14 Kembang 118.77 64,798 70,530 74,307 Jinggotan 11 59457
33.20.09 Keling 121.09 58,435 68,047 64,708 Kelet 12 59456
33.20.16 Donorojo 101.41 52,958 58,581 62,395 Tulakan 8 59454
33.20.10 Karimunjawa 46.62 8,715 9,789 10,609 Karimunjawa 4 59455
Totals 1,020.25 1,097,280 1,184,947 1,264,598 Jepara 195

Note: (a) comprises 11 urban kelurahan (Bapangan, Bulu, Demaan, Jobokuto, Karangkebagusan, Kauman, Panggang, Pengkol, Potroyudan, Saripan and Ujungbatu) and 5 rural desa.

Contemporary Jepara

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The population is almost entirely Javanese and over 95% Muslim.[citation needed] As a pesisir ('coastal') area many traders from around the world landed in Jepara centuries ago.[citation needed]

Tourism

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Tourism in Jepara is an important component of the economy of Jepara and a significant source of tax revenue. Jepara is a town which is known for its culinary, education, tourism, and rich cultural heritage. There are many possibilities and opportunities for the city to prosper and benefit more, but yet until now the government has not yet fully utilized them. Jepara, although only a small town, has many tourist attractions, with the mountain tourism, beach tourism, underwater tours, tour of the islands. Foreign tourists often visit Tirto Samodra Beach (Bandengan Beach), Karimunjawa Islands (Crimon Java), Kartini Beach, etc.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Jepara Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3320)
  2. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. ^ Ricklefs, M.C. (1991). A History of Modern Indonesia since c.1300, 2nd Edition. London: MacMillan. p. 38. ISBN 0-333-57689-6.
  5. ^ "Indonesia and the Dutch 1800-1950 by Sanderson Beck". www.san.beck.org. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
  • Witton, Patrick (2003). Indonesia (7th edition). Melbourne: Lonely Planet. pp. 259–260. ISBN 1-74059-154-2.
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