Tarakan

Tarakan spans across an island of 303 square kilometers with low-lying swampy areas along its coast and dense mangrove forests near the shoreline.

The oil-rich island became a strategic target during World War II, with Japanese forces capturing it in 1942 before Australian forces reclaimed it in 1945.

The city name originates from Tidung language where 'tarak' means meeting place and 'ngakan' means eating, reflecting its role as a gathering point.

Juwata International Airport connects Tarakan with major Indonesian cities, while ferry services provide transportation to other locations in eastern Borneo.

The city produces approximately five million barrels of oil annually, maintaining its status as a significant energy producer since the 1920s Dutch colonial period.

Location: North Kalimantan

Inception: December 15, 1997

Elevation above the sea: 0 m

Website: http://tarakankota.go.id

GPS coordinates: 3.30000,117.63333

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:24