Banyuwangi, Administrative capital in East Java, Indonesia
Banyuwangi is an administrative capital in eastern Java that spreads along the coast and interior between volcanoes and the sea. The town sits within a region of rice paddies, plantations and smaller settlements that reach all the way to the Bali Strait.
The area was once part of the Kingdom of Blambangan, considered the last Hindu realm on Java. During the 18th century the Dutch took control and incorporated the region into their colonial administration.
The name comes from two Javanese words meaning fragrant and water, referring to the local river estuaries and coastal landscape. Visitors can see traditional textiles and wood carvings at the markets, made by local artisans following inherited patterns.
An airport at Blimbingsari and ferry connections to Bali offer different ways to reach the area. Travelers wanting to explore the surroundings should allow time for journeys between the coastal towns and inland villages.
In 1871 an undersea cable connection to the Australian Overland Telegraph Line was established here, reaching all the way to Darwin. This link enabled faster communication between Southeast Asia and Australia across great distances.
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