Salatiga

Salatiga
City
Other transcription(s)
 • Hanacaraka ꦯꦭꦠꦶꦒ

Mount Merbabu viewed from Salatiga.

Seal
Motto: Çrir Astu Swasti Prajabhyah (Be happy, all the People)
Salatiga

Location of Salatiga in Indonesia

Coordinates: 7°19′29″S 110°32′39.79″E / 7.32472°S 110.5443861°E / -7.32472; 110.5443861Coordinates: 7°19′29″S 110°32′39.79″E / 7.32472°S 110.5443861°E / -7.32472; 110.5443861
Country  Indonesia
Province Central Java
Founded 24 July 750
Incorporated 1 July 1917
Government
 • Mayor Yulianto
Area
 • Total 56.781 km2 (21.923 sq mi)
Elevation 450 - 825 m (−2,257 ft)
Population (2013)
 • Total 186,087
 • Density 3,300/km2 (8,500/sq mi)
Time zone WIB (UTC+7)
Area code(s) +62 298
Vehicle registration H
Website www.pemkot-salatiga.go.id

Salatiga is a city in Central Java, Indonesia and located between the cities of Semarang and Surakarta. It sits at the foot of Mount Merbabu (3,142 m) and Mount Telomoyo, and has a relatively cool climate due to its elevated position.

Origin of name

Monolith of Plumpungan

Salatiga is thought to be named either after the goddess of Trisala, or after the three wrongs done to the first king of Semarang.

In the first explanation, the people of the village celebrate the goddess of Trisala called the village Trisala and in the years to come became Salatri and eventually Salatiga.

The second explanation is based on the story of Ki Ageng Pandanaran, the first regent of Semarang, who was robbed by three muggers, and he thus named the location Salah Telu. Salah means wrong in both Indonesian and Javanese. Telu is Low Javanese for three, spelled is tiga in both the more refined Middle/High Javanese (but pronounced /tigo/ in Javanese respectively /tiga/ in Indonesian). Hence the name Salatiga from Salah Tiga.

History

The official birthdate of Salatiga is 24 July 750 A.D. (the 31st date and 4th year of the Saka calendar). The scroll Monolith of Plumpungan (Prasasti Plumpungan in Sanskrit) by King Bhanu, declares May you be happy! All the people ("Srir = astu swasti prajabhyah") and designated village of Hampran (Desa Hampran) a Perdikan village (Desa Perdikan, meaning a tax-free village).

"Çrirastuswasti Prajabyah" is the official motto of Salatiga as written in the government seal.

Salatiga street scenery in 1918

On 1 July 1917 the village of Salatiga was designated as a stads gemeente or small town, by the Dutch colony.

Administration

Salatiga is divided into four districts (kecamatan): Argomulyo, Tingkir, Sidomukti, and Sidorejo.

Bordering Salatiga are the following districts:

All these districts are located in Semarang Regency, making Salatiga an enclave within Semarang Regency.

Geography

Salatiga is located about 47 km south of Semarang and about 100 km north of Yogyakarta. Its elevation is between 450–800 metres with typical tropical climate. The average rainfall is 118 mm (145 rainy days) with the highest temperature in October (31.8oC) and the lowest in July (23.9oC).

Education

Tertiary Education

Salatiga has several universities and colleges:

Schools

Schools in Salatiga are normally affiliated with the government, universities, or religious institutions. In the past, state-run schools are generally sought after for their quality and subsidised cost however this had changed significantly. Students also generally compete by using final examination grades and written examinations to enter the more popular schools.

Salatiga has one international English-speaking school at elementary and secondary level (Mountainview International).

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/3/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.