Tarakan, East Kalimantan
Encyclopedia
Tarakan, located on Tarakan Island
is one of the major cities in eastern Borneo
, just across the border from Sabah
, Malaysia. Once a major oil producing region during colonial period
, Tarakan had great strategic importance during the Pacific War
and was among the first Japanese
targets early in the war.
s established their kingdom in Tarakan around 1076 CE. After moving their capital for several times during centuries, in 1571 CE they settle their kingdom in eastern coast of Tarakan, apparently already under influence of Islam.
Dutch colonial interests first explored the island in 1863 when oil seepages
were discovered. In 1905 an oil concession was granted to Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij, a predecessor to Royal Dutch Shell
. One year later oil production began with a result of above 57.928 barrels of oil. Production continued to increase and in the 1920s Tarakan yielded above 5 million barrels a year, a third of total oil production in the whole Dutch East Indies
.
In addition, the oil produced here had a parafin base instead of the usual asphalt
base. This made Tarakan oil an important source of fuel in great demand, especially from Japan.
During the start of the Second World War in the Pacific, Tarakan was an obvious target for the Japanese. They wanted Tarakan for two reasons: a rich oil field and as a strategic air base from which further attacks can be launched. In the first battle of Tarakan
on January 11–12, 1942, the Japanese invasion fleet decisively defeated the Dutch and took control of Tarakan.
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Following the Dutch surrender, Tarakan's inhabitants suffered under Japan's occupation. The large number of Japanese troops stationed on the island caused food shortages and many civilians suffered from malnutrition
as a result. During the occupation, the Japanese brought about 600 labourers to Tarakan from Java
. The Japanese also forced an estimated 300 Javanese women to work as "comfort women
".
Tarakan's value to the Japanese evaporated with the rapid advance of Allied forces. The last Japanese oil tanker
left Tarakan in July 1944, and heavy Allied air raids later in the year destroyed the island's oil production and storage facilities.
Allies finally captured Tarakan following the second battle of Tarakan
from May 1 – June 21, 1945. The Allied force responsible for capturing Tarakan was centred around the very experienced Australian 26th Brigade Group
.
Following the Indonesian revolution, Tarakan become part of the new republic. Tarakan is administered as part of Kalimantan
province. In 1981, Tarakan was granted a city charter. Currently, Tarakan is one of four cities in East Kalimantan
, along with Samarinda
, Balikpapan
and Bontang
.
, a subgroup of the Dayak people
. In addition, the city also has a multi-ethnic population from other parts of Indonesia, such as Bugis
, Javanese and Chinese Indonesian
. The majority of the population is Muslim
, with a minority of Christian
and other religions.
Relations between ethnic groups are generally peaceful, although Tarakan witnessed deadly clashes in the 2010 Tarakan riot.
: Nunukan
, Berau, Balikpapan
in East Kalimantan
and Tawau
in Sabah
. The port also provide links to other Indonesian cities, in Sulawesi
and Java
.
Tarakan has an airport
called Juwata Airport
, located 3,5 km from the city. The airport has a flight route to Balikpapan
, Jakarta
, Surabaya
, Denpasar
, and Makassar
; however now oil only comprises 6% of the total Tarakan economy. The economy is now dominated by fisheries and forest products.
. Tarakan also provides breeding ground for marine and bird species.
Tarakan Island
Tarakan is an island off the coast of East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is a marshy island situated in the eastern Celebes Sea, off the northeastern coast of Borneo. The island occupies an area of .-Petroleum:...
is one of the major cities in eastern Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
, just across the border from Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
, Malaysia. Once a major oil producing region during colonial period
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, Tarakan had great strategic importance during the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
and was among the first Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
targets early in the war.
Etymology
The name Tarakan come from Tidung language: Tarak (meeting place) and ngakan (to eat); thus Tarakan was originally meeting place for sailor and trader in Tidung area to eat, rest and trade their catch.History
According to legends, native TidungTidung
The Tidung, or Tidong are a group of Dayak people who lived in northeastern part of Borneo and surrounding small islands. They lived on both sides of the border of Malaysia and Indonesia. They are closely related to other native people in northeastern Borneo, such as Murut people.Tidung speak...
s established their kingdom in Tarakan around 1076 CE. After moving their capital for several times during centuries, in 1571 CE they settle their kingdom in eastern coast of Tarakan, apparently already under influence of Islam.
Dutch colonial interests first explored the island in 1863 when oil seepages
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
were discovered. In 1905 an oil concession was granted to Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij, a predecessor to Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc , commonly known as Shell, is a global oil and gas company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is the fifth-largest company in the world according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine and one of the six...
. One year later oil production began with a result of above 57.928 barrels of oil. Production continued to increase and in the 1920s Tarakan yielded above 5 million barrels a year, a third of total oil production in the whole Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
.
In addition, the oil produced here had a parafin base instead of the usual asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
base. This made Tarakan oil an important source of fuel in great demand, especially from Japan.
During the start of the Second World War in the Pacific, Tarakan was an obvious target for the Japanese. They wanted Tarakan for two reasons: a rich oil field and as a strategic air base from which further attacks can be launched. In the first battle of Tarakan
Battle of Tarakan (1942)
The Battle of Tarakan took place on January 11–12, 1942. Even though Tarakan was only a small marshy island at northeastern Borneo in the Netherlands East Indies, but the 700 oil wells, oil refinery and airfield on it, was one of the main objectives for the Empire of Japan in the Pacific War...
on January 11–12, 1942, the Japanese invasion fleet decisively defeated the Dutch and took control of Tarakan.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
as a result. During the occupation, the Japanese brought about 600 labourers to Tarakan from Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
. The Japanese also forced an estimated 300 Javanese women to work as "comfort women
Comfort women
The term "comfort women" was a euphemism used to describe women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.Estimates vary as to how many women were involved, with numbers ranging from as low as 20,000 from some Japanese scholars to as high as 410,000 from some Chinese...
".
Tarakan's value to the Japanese evaporated with the rapid advance of Allied forces. The last Japanese oil tanker
Oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
left Tarakan in July 1944, and heavy Allied air raids later in the year destroyed the island's oil production and storage facilities.
Allies finally captured Tarakan following the second battle of Tarakan
Battle of Tarakan (1945)
The Battle of Tarakan was the first stage in the Borneo campaign of 1945. It began with an amphibious landing by Australian forces on 1 May, code-named Operation Oboe One...
from May 1 – June 21, 1945. The Allied force responsible for capturing Tarakan was centred around the very experienced Australian 26th Brigade Group
26th Brigade (Australia)
The Australian 26th Brigade was an Australian Army infantry brigade of World War II. The 26th Brigade was raised in 1940 and formed part of the 9th Division throughout the war. The 26th Brigade saw action in North Africa, New Guinea and Tarakan Island...
.
Following the Indonesian revolution, Tarakan become part of the new republic. Tarakan is administered as part of Kalimantan
Kalimantan
In English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term "Kalimantan" refers to the whole island of Borneo....
province. In 1981, Tarakan was granted a city charter. Currently, Tarakan is one of four cities in East Kalimantan
East Kalimantan
East Kalimantan is the second largest Indonesian province, located on the Kalimantan region on the east of Borneo island. The resource-rich province has two major cities, Samarinda and Balikpapan...
, along with Samarinda
Samarinda
Samarinda is the capital of the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The city lies on the banks of the Mahakam River. It is the most populous city in East Kalimantan with a population of 726,223...
, Balikpapan
Balikpapan
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining, and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau , and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main...
and Bontang
Bontang
Bontang is a city on the eastern coast of the island Borneo in Indonesia. It is in the province East Kalimantan.- History :The etymology of Bontang refers to the town’s traditional status throughout history as a humble village populated mostly by immigrants. ‘Bon’ can refer in Indonesian to...
.
Demography
Tarakan had a population of 178,111 in 2008. Native residents are the TidungTidung
The Tidung, or Tidong are a group of Dayak people who lived in northeastern part of Borneo and surrounding small islands. They lived on both sides of the border of Malaysia and Indonesia. They are closely related to other native people in northeastern Borneo, such as Murut people.Tidung speak...
, a subgroup of the Dayak people
Dayak people
The Dayak or Dyak are the native people of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic subgroups, located principally in the interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily...
. In addition, the city also has a multi-ethnic population from other parts of Indonesia, such as Bugis
Bugis
The Bugis are the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi, the southwestern province of Sulawesi, Indonesia's third largest island. Although many Bugis live in the large port cities of Makassar and Parepare, the majority are farmers who grow wet rice on the...
, Javanese and Chinese Indonesian
Chinese Indonesian
Chinese Indonesians, also called the Indonesian Chinese, are an overseas Chinese group whose ancestors emigrated from China to Indonesia, formerly a colony of the Netherlands known as the Dutch East Indies...
. The majority of the population is Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, with a minority of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and other religions.
Relations between ethnic groups are generally peaceful, although Tarakan witnessed deadly clashes in the 2010 Tarakan riot.
Transportation
Tarakan is served with several ferries, linking it other cities in eastern BorneoBorneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
: Nunukan
Nunukan
Nunukan is a regency of East Kalimantan in Indonesia.Nunukan is also the name of an island within this regency. It has an area of 226 km2. Nunukan borders with the Malaysian state of Sabah to the north, and Bulungan Regency and Malinau Regency to the south....
, Berau, Balikpapan
Balikpapan
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining, and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau , and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main...
in East Kalimantan
East Kalimantan
East Kalimantan is the second largest Indonesian province, located on the Kalimantan region on the east of Borneo island. The resource-rich province has two major cities, Samarinda and Balikpapan...
and Tawau
Tawau
Tawau is the administrative center of Tawau Division, Malaysia and the third largest town of Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.-Geography:...
in Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
. The port also provide links to other Indonesian cities, in Sulawesi
Sulawesi
Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. In Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra have larger Indonesian populations.- Etymology :The Portuguese were the first to...
and Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
.
Tarakan has an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
called Juwata Airport
Juwata Airport
Juwata Airport is an airport in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Tarakan which is off the coast of Borneo. The airport was the main Allied objective during the Battle of Tarakan ....
, located 3,5 km from the city. The airport has a flight route to Balikpapan
Balikpapan
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining, and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau , and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main...
, Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, Denpasar
Denpasar
Denpasar is the capital city of the province of Bali, Indonesia. It has a rapidly expanding population of 788,445 in 2010, up from 533,252 in the previous decade. It is located at .-History:...
, and Makassar
Makassar
Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably...
Economy
The city was once a leading oil producer in Dutch East IndiesDutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
; however now oil only comprises 6% of the total Tarakan economy. The economy is now dominated by fisheries and forest products.
Environment
Tarakan island is of ecological importance. The island is one of the habitats of the Proboscis monkeyProboscis Monkey
The proboscis monkey or long-nosed monkey, known as the bekantan in Malay, is a reddish-brown arboreal Old World monkey that is endemic to the south-east Asian island of Borneo...
. Tarakan also provides breeding ground for marine and bird species.