Banten

Banten ( formerly Bantam ) is an Indonesian Province in the west of the island of Java. The province was separated in 2000 from the province of West Java.

In the West, the Sunda Strait separates the province of the island of Sumatra, in the east it borders the city of Jakarta and the province of West Java. In Greater Jakarta are some major cities, including the city of millions Tangerang.

With over 1,000 inhabitants per square kilometer Banten is very densely populated. The population consists mainly of Sundanese and is committed mainly to Islam ( 97%). The capital Bantens is Serang.

Economically benefited the province from its proximity to the Indonesian capital Jakarta. So the airport of this city is in the province and the maritime trade with Sumatra is handled to a large extent on Banten. An increasing importance is attached to the tourism.

In the 16th century the region was Islamized, 1568 established itself an important sultanate, which especially in the spice trade had meaning. 1682 was an existing here British Base, 1809 subject to the entire region by the Dutch. During World War II it was occupied Japanese. Since Indonesia's independence in 1949 Banten belongs to this island republic.

From Bantam, the former name of the province, the name of a weight class is derived in the sport of boxing.

Administrative divisions

Pictures of Banten

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