east_java_overview.htm

Its capital, Surabaya is second to Jakarta in size, population and commerce. East Java is also the most industrialized province in the nation. Its economy is based on agriculture, fishery, oil industries, coffee, mangoes and apples.

As a transport hub Surabaya has much to offer. Its newly opened international airport provides links to the rest of the world while most flights to the east of Indonesia originate here. It is also connected with the rest of Java by good roads and train services. Bali is only half an hour's flight. It is also easily accessible by road and regular ferry from Bali and Java. The island of Madura, famous for its bull races, is part of the province of East Java, though it has its own traditions and language. Tanjung Perak, the Surabaya port, is the home of the Pelni Line vessels which are the major transport between islands of the archipelago. These modern passenger liners offer an different aspect of travel, if you have the time to spare.

History
Powerful kingdoms rose in East Java after the decline of Central Java's power in the tenth century. Between 1055 and 1222, the kingdom of Kediri prospered and expanded. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed a lucrative trade with the surrounding islands and their arts flourished.

About 1300 a.d., the Majapahit dynasty began an empire that was to dominate the entire archipelago, the Malay peninsula and part of the Philippines. Majapahit also established profitable trade relations with China and other countries of the South East Asian region.

Parts of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform with the East Javanese outlook and philosophy, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its treasure of temple art. Today the open-air amphi theater at Pandaan tells some of the stories of this glorious past. Aided by the Java Ballet performances against a backdrop of distant volcanoes, any traveler will be easily enthralled by the East Java experience, capturing the spirit of the province's culture and scenery.

Magnificent mountain scenery include the crater and sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the "sulfur mountain" Welirang and rugged Dien Plateau. Little of the Majapahit empire's former glory still stands in East Java today with the exception of temple ruins and some archaeological discoveries. East Java's claim to fame in modern history is its vanguard role in the struggle for independence against colonial forces in 1945. Not far from Surabaya city, there is special place that it is so popular with a ceremonial of Kesodo. The Kesodo always happens every year at Mount Bromo.