Jayapura is the capital of Papua Province. Since its establishment, it as been renamed numerous times. It is currently a modern city situated at the Yos Sudarso Bay, and acts as the gateway to Papua. It is also known as the city with the second-highest cost of living in Indonesia, after Jakarta.

The city of Jayapura was first established by Infantry Captaiin FJP Sachse of the Kingdom of Netherlands on 7 March 1910. Back then, it was known by the name Hollandia. The name endured from 1910 to 1962. The name itself referred to the capital of the district northeast of Western Papua.

In 1964, the city was renamed to Kota Baru, and then to Sukarnopura. In 1968, it was renamed to Jayapura, and remains so to this day. The name Jayapura comes from the Sanskrit language, and translates to ‘City of Victory’, with Jaya meaning victory and pura meaning city.

Jayapura meaures 940 km2 or 94.000 Hectares consists of 5 districts and is further divided into 25 wards, and 14 villages. To the north of the city is the Pacific Ocean, while its land borders Papua New Guinea in the East, Keerom Regency in the South and Jayapura Regency in the West. In mid-2021, the population of Jayapura numbered 362.998 people. In 1993, based on Law No. 6 1993, the region of Jayapura was expanded into the city and regency of Jayapura. The capital of Jayapura Regency is Sentani. In 2002, based on Law No. 26 2002 on the establishment of regencies in Papua Province, Jayapura Regency’s was further divided into 3 regencies, namely Jayapura, Sarmi dan Keerom. Jayapura is similar to other major cities in Indonesia. The number of vehicles in its roads often lead to long traffic jams. The area also boasts many buildings, befitting Jayapura’s status as a centre for business, investment, and trade. Jayapura’s tourism is continuously being developed. As a city with an extraordinary history, Jayapura has plenty of potential including mountains and seas in its vast area to attract potential tourists, waiting to be developed.

Adapted from iNews Papua.