Garut, Mountainous regency in West Java, Indonesia.
Garut is a regency in West Java, Indonesia, that spans 3,065 square kilometers and includes both volcanic peaks and sections of the Indian Ocean coastline. The region is divided into 42 districts that connect different landscapes, from highlands to seashores.
The region formed from Limbangan Regency, which Lieutenant-Governor Stamford Raffles established in 1813 with its first seat in Suci. After several years, the capital moved to present-day Garut, making administration more central.
The name Garut comes from an old Javanese word describing a landscape between mountains and coast. In many towns, craftspeople still work with traditional methods, making leather goods and woven bamboo products for everyday use.
South of Tarogong lies the administrative center of the region, from which roads lead to all 42 districts and reach remote villages. Visitors who want to explore the region should plan enough time, as distances between mountain areas and coast are considerable.
Several volcanoes such as Guntur and Papandayan remain active and shape the landscape through their fertile ash soils. This volcanic activity makes the agricultural land especially productive and forms part of daily life for many village communities.
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