Quick answerJakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, with 11,010,514 people inside the city limits in 2025. The wider metropolitan area had about 41.9 million people in 2025. It is best known for the National Monument (Monas), the Kota Tua (Old Town) and the Istiqlal Mosque. Its official language is Indonesian, and its currency is the Indonesian rupiah.
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, with about 11 million people in the special capital region and about 41.9 million in the Jabodetabek metropolitan area (2025). It stands on the north-west coast of Java and is home to the National Monument and the old town of Kota Tua.
Key facts
| Country | Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 11,010,514 (2025) |
| Population (metro) | 41,914,000 (2025) · Jabodetabek metropolitan area, 2025 (United Nations) |
| Elevation | 8 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Asia/Jakarta |
| Language | Indonesian |
| Currency | Indonesian rupiah (IDR, Rp) |
| Coordinates | 6.18° S, 106.83° E |
Overview
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, with the administrative status of a province. The special capital region covers 664 square kilometres and had 11,010,514 residents in mid-2025, while the wider Jabodetabek metropolitan area held 41,914,000 people, making it one of the largest urban areas in the world. The city sits on the north-west coast of Java, on the Java Sea, only about 8 metres above sea level.
Jakarta began as the port of Sunda Kelapa, became the Dutch colonial capital under the name Batavia in 1619, and was renamed Jakarta in 1942. Indonesian independence was proclaimed there in 1945, and the city became the capital of the republic in 1950. Its landmarks include the National Monument (Monas) in Merdeka Square, the old town of Kota Tua, the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta History Museum.
Today Jakarta is Indonesia's financial and trade centre and the seat of the ASEAN secretariat. It faces serious problems with traffic, flooding and land sinking, and in 2022 the government began the legal process of moving the capital to Nusantara in East Kalimantan — though Jakarta remains the capital until the move is formalised. The city's food, from street satay to Betawi dishes, reflects migrants from across the archipelago.
What Jakarta is known for
- National Monument (Monas)
- Kota Tua (Old Town)
- Istiqlal Mosque
- ASEAN headquarters
- Betawi culture
- Street food
Landmarks
- National Monument (Monas)
- Kota Tua
- Istiqlal Mosque
- Jakarta Cathedral
- Jakarta History Museum
- Merdeka Palace
- Ancol Dreamland
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Jakarta?
About 11 million people live in the Jakarta special capital region (11,010,514 in mid-2025). The wider Jabodetabek metropolitan area had about 41.9 million people in 2025, according to the United Nations. That gap is why Jakarta can look like a big city on a map and feel like a megacity on the ground.
What is Jakarta famous for?
Jakarta is famous for the National Monument (Monas), the old town of Kota Tua, the Istiqlal Mosque and its street food. It is also known as Indonesia's financial centre, the seat of the ASEAN secretariat, and a city of heavy traffic, floods and shopping malls. The Thousand Islands lie just off its coast.
Where is Jakarta located?
Jakarta is in north-western Java, on the coast of the Java Sea. It is the capital of Indonesia and borders West Java and Banten provinces. Its coordinates are 6.18° S, 106.83° E, and its time zone is Western Indonesia Time.
Quick quiz
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Keep exploring
- Indonesia — the country Jakarta is in
- Surabaya — another city in Indonesia
- Bandung — another city in Indonesia
- Medan — another city in Indonesia
- All cities in Indonesia
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.