Samarinda, Capital city of East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Samarinda is the capital of East Kalimantan province on Borneo, stretching along the banks of the Mahakam River. Residential areas alternate with commercial districts, while green spaces are interspersed between built zones.
Bugis settlers founded the place by building houses on rafts floating on the river. Over time the settlement grew into a permanent trading center that transported goods from the island interior.
The name comes from Samarenda, a term meant to express equality among early settlers. Today Javanese, Bugis and Dayak people live side by side, each group maintaining its own festivals and customs that shape the city character.
The city has three major bus terminals and river boat docks offering connections to surrounding areas. The international airport lies outside the center and receives flights from other Indonesian cities.
The harbor ranks among the busiest passenger ports in the province and also handles large volumes of containers per year. Despite air traffic, many travelers prefer traditional river routes leading into the interior.
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