Bengkulu is a province of Indonesia. It is on the southwest coast of the island of Sumatra, and borders the provinces of West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra and Lampung. The capital and largest city of the province is Bengkulu city. It was formerly the site of a British garrison, which they called Bencoolen.
The province has a population of 1,405,060 (2000 census). The province also includes Enggano Island.
History
The British East India Company established a long-running pepper-trading center and garrison at Bengkulu (Bencoolen) in 1685. In 1714 the British built Fort Marlborough in the city; the fort still stands. The trading post was never financially profitable for the British, hampered by a location Europeans found unpleasant, and, more importantly, an inability to find sufficient pepper to buy.
Despite these difficulties, the British persisted, maintaining the presence there for 150 years before ceding it to the Dutch as part of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 to focus attention on Malacca. Like the rest of present-day Indonesia, Bengkulu remained a Dutch colony until after World War II.
During Sukarno’s imprisonment by the Dutch in the early 1930s, the future first president of Indonesia lived briefly in Bengkulu. Here he met his wife, Fatmawati, who gave him several children, the most famous being the first female President of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Bengkulu lies near the Sunda Fault and is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. In June of 2000 a quake caused damage and the death of at least 100 people. A recent report predicts that Bengkulu is “at risk of inundation over the next few decades from undersea earthquakes predicted along the coast of Sumatra”
A series of earthquakes struck Bengkulu during September, 2007, killing 13 people.
Economy
Coal mining is a major economic activity in Bengkulu. Three active coal mining companies produce between 200,000 and 400,000 tons of coal per year, which is exported to Malaysia, Singapore, South Asia, and East Asia.
Fishing, especially of tuna and mackerel, is an important activity. Agricultural products exported by the province include ginger, bamboo shoots, and rubber.
Administrative divisions
Bengkulu province is divided into 8 regencies (kabupaten) and 1 city (kota):
* Kaur
* Kepahiang
* Lebong
* Muko-Muko Regency
* North Bengkulu Regency
* Rejang Lebong Regency
* Seluma
* South Bengkulu
* Bengkulu (city)
Places of Interest:
Bengkulu
Bengkulu, the capital of the province, is a port town facing the Indian Ocean. The shores around the town of Bengkulu are scenic and unspoilt. Presently growing as a tourist destination, Bengkulu offers many new sights and experiences.
Bukit Daun
This is a protected recreation forest located between Bengkulu and Curup, about 45 km from Bengkulu. It is inhabited by a great variety of animal species.
Bukit Kaba Crater
For those who like mountain climbing, this crater complex is in the sulfurous mountains, 19 km from Curup, in the Rejang Lebong regency. Of the three craters, one is still active. Vapors incessantly escape from 12 fissures in the earth and hot water springs are found in the vicinity.
Curup
Curup is the capital of the Rejang Lebong regency in Bengkulu. Located on the slopes of the Bukit Barisan mountains, this is an area rich in recreation spots. There are hot water springs at Suban, 7 km from Curup, and at Tambang Sawah about 4 km away. Kepala Curup waterfall is 31 km from town.
Kerinci Seblat National Park
Home to members of a great variety of animals species, such as elephants, tigers, deer, wild boars, monkeys, crocodiles, birds and reptiles. This park is located in North Bengkulu, about 110 km from Argamakmur.
Lake Dendam Tak Sudah
This small lake, located 8 km from Bengkulu, has been curiously named Dendam Tak Sudah (’never-ending grudge’). The lake has facilities for water-skiing and boating and its surroundings feature an abundance of orchids known as Vanda hokriana. When they bloom, the lakeside transforms into a huge exotic flower garden.
Lake Emas
Inhabited by schools of carp, this lake is located near Curup, in the Rejang Lebong regency. Cottages have been built around the lakeside to accommodate holiday makers.
Lake Gedang
Located 23 km from Bengkulu towards Argamakmur. This lake is popular for fishing, picnics and camping.
Lake Tes
This lake is 3 km long and is the biggest in the province. It is located 50 km from Curup on the road to Muara Aman.
Panjang Gading Cempaka Beach
This beach is located 3 km west of the town of Bengkulu, and stretches for approximately 7 km. Cottages are available as well as other recreational facilities.
Pulau Tikus Sea Garden
Tikus is the name of a cluster if islets surrounded by coral reefs that teem with various forms of marine life, soft and hard corals, and fish of all colours and sizes. The islets can be seen from the town of Bengkulu and can be reached by speedboat from the old harbor.
Rafflesia Arnoldi
The world’s largest flower is found in many areas in the forests of Bengkulu, on the slopes of the Bukit Barisan mountains. The flower has a diameter of about one meter in full bloom. It has no visible root or stem, and no leaves. Weighing up to 7 kg., it takes the buds up to 8 months to mature. The flower stays in bloom from 1-15 days and can be seen during the months of September-December.
Seaside Resorts
In the regency of South Bengkulu there are 3 seaside resorts with beautiful views: Muara Kedurang, Beringin Padang Guci Bay and Linau Beach. The shorelines are open to the Indian Ocean and the waves along this stretch are huge. Smooth rocks of various colors give an interesting appearance to the seaside.
Semidang Bukit Kaba
This is a hunting park which is about 15,300 hectares in size. It is located about 14 km from the town of Bengkulu.
Tabot Ceremony
An interesting festive ceremony which recalls the death of Hasan and Husen, the grandchildren of the Prophet Mohammed, who were killed in a fight to defend Islam. The Tabot feast is held annually, in the Islamic month of Muharram.
Talo
The village of Talo is in the regency of Rejang Lebong. Here one can see weavers at their looms, producing traditional textiles. The villagers also make plaited rattan articles, as well as paintings and carved objects.
Bung Karno Residence Memory
While Bung Karno, the first President of Indonesia was isolated in Bengkulu located in Sukarno-Hatta street, Anggut Atas Bengkulu. Some means of his property such as bicycle, refence books and drama uniform are well collected inside the building.
Parr and Hamilton Monument
Located on the brink of protocol road in Bengkulu city. The monument was established as for the rememberance of the death of two British Residents in Bengkulu namely Parr and Hamilton Resident.
Panjang and Nala Beach
The long white clean beach which hardly to find in another Indonesian beaches is good to do sunbathing and some marine attractions. In the beach is also available a swimming pool, playing tennis facility, looking guard house, restaurants, seaside conage and starred hotels. It is only three kilometers from the central of Bengkulu city.
Pasir Putih Beach
This is located near the ocean harbour Pulau Baai about 19 kms. from Bengkulu city, asphalted road, it can be reached by all four wheel vihicles. The beach is clean enough with its white sand, grown by natural spruces along the beach very suitable for family recreation for it is out of the city, easily to reach and free from polution.
Enggano Island
The island covers an area of 40,260 hectares which is dominated by dense rain forest with its wild buffaloes. Mainly we can see the culture, or the life manners of traditional society and native’s Enggano dances. The island can be reached by a pioneer bat at pulau Baai harbour or hiring a small boat at Bintuhan seaport.
Fort Marlborough
As a British colonialist heritage, Marlborough locates in the main street of Bengkulu. Inside the building, there is a subway connected to the outside. It was established by East Indian Company (EIC) in 1713- 1919 under Joseph Callet Governor General and as the second strongest fort built by British in the east after Fort George in Madras, India.
Bukit Kaba, A Vulcanic Crater
A beautiful and natural panorama with moderate temperature has a number of visitors from domestic and foreign tourists to catch a view of a unique and spectacular sulfuric crater. It located away 104 km from Bengkulu and about 19 km from Curup, the capital city of Rejang Lebing District, at 1937 m above sea level. This particular area hosted by two big sulfuric calderas with twelve active craters. The area covers 13.490 hectares as it is proposed for tourism development.
Sentot Alibasyah Cemetery
Sentot Alibasyah is one of the Indonesian heroes. He was a military leader for Prince Diponegoro, another national hero, during his struggle against Dutch colonial. A hard battle was accured and conquerred then isolated and died in Bengkulu eventualy.
Tikus Island
Tikus island is a group of small islands being surrounded by rock composition with its various colourful fish. The island has a good potential to develope marine tourism, particularly around the area is quite enjoyable to do fishing, snorkling or diving. In the island there is a light house which is occupied by a safe guard family. It is easy to get the island because of not far from Bengkulu city and visible from Bengkulu coast by firing a speed-boat in the old harbour of Bengkulu city.
Suban Hot Springs
Located 90 kms from capital of Bengkulu, it just takes two hours drive by car or bus, or 6 kms from Curup town. Suban is good for bathing of the source of natural hot water. Near by the place, there are waterfalls on top and bottom of the smald river’s current.
Shopping
Rattan plaitwork, hand-printed batik, paintings, carvings, hand-woven textiles.
