Pontianak City at the Equator West Kalimantan
Pontianak is a city in the province of West Kalimantan, and it serves as the capital of the region. With a population of approximately 600,000 people, it is a popular destination for tourists and is often referred to as the "city on the Equator" due to its location along the equatorial line. The Attractive Tourism Objects of Pontianak City are located on the equator, at the north of the rivers Kapuas and Landak. The Kapuas River itself is 1,143 kilometers long and is the most important river in the province of West Kalimantan, navigating tons of stuff up till Putussibau as the last village before the rapids, which is also the capital of the Kapuas Hulu regency,and is more then 800 kilometers inland from Pontianak. Motor or Longboats can even go further upstream to Tanjung Lokan which is on the foot of the Muller Mountain Range.
The city is surrounded by various tourist attractions that draw visitors from all over.
Historically, Pontianak began as a sultanate, which was established in the latter part of the 18th century. The founder of this sultanate was Syarif Abdurrahman, who played a key role in the early development of the area. The city itself was officially founded on October 23, 1771, at the confluence of the Kapuas and Landak rivers. Today, Pontianak functions as a cultural hub, acting as a gateway through which external influences reach the people living in the surrounding rural areas. As a result, many individuals from the hinterland migrate to the city, where they interact and blend with communities of Malays, Javanese, Chinese, Bugis, and other ethnic groups.Tourism Object at Pontianak City In West Kalimantan Province
Pontianak links with various other cities inside the province and outside are smooth. Transportation by air and sea to several destinations as Jakarta, Surabaya, Balikpapan, Singapore and Kuching, there are also small planes with flights to small airstrips throughout West Kalimantan, as Sintang, Putussibau and Ketapang, but reservation in advance is needed.
The Sultan Palace of Khadariyah lies nearby with a shape in Portuguese style, and was a fort against enemy attacks in the past. You can also find a monument of the Sultan Kingdom nearby. The historical cathedral with a clock on the top of the church sign for the historical Christian influances at Pontianak City.About 3 kilometers North of Pontianak City, towards the Pinyuh river, you can find the well-known Equator Monument, standing on the exact spot, passed by the equator.
The Museum of Pontianak is a beautiful building in modern design, with the ornamental characteristics of the area. The museum's collections include relics from the time of the arrival of Islam in West Kalimantan.
The Patria Jaya Heroes Cemetery, towards the Soepadio airport, is where those who died in the cause of independence are buried.
The Juang Mandor Cemetery is a cemetery for those killed in the fight against the Japanese. About 21,037 bodies lie buried in ten mass graves.
More outside of Pontianak Town, you can find The small Palace of Mempawah Kingdom which was built in 1780. Mempawah is the capital of the Pontianak regency. It lies at the side of the river and is a busy town. The cannons of Kyai Sumi and Ratu Destari are found near Munggu village.
Penibungan Island is reachable by motor-canoe from Mempawah and has beautiful beaches which made it a favored holiday resort. Also Temajo Island is easily reachable from Mempawah, which has near a clean white beach also a historical grave of Fatimah Jemaje in Tanjung Mutus. Fatimah was a queen of Siak who died in a battle between the kingdoms of Sambas and Siak. Kijing Island can be sailed from Temajo Island. which is a popular holiday resort
