East Kalimantan (Indonesian: Kalimantan Timur abbrv. Kaltim) is the second largest Indonesian province, located on the Kalimantan region on the east of Borneo island. The resource-rich province has two major cities, Samarinda (the capital and a center for timber product) and Balikpapan (a petroleum center with oil refinery). Ever since Indonesia opened its mineral and natural resources for foreign investment in 1970s, East Kalimantan province has experienced major boost of timber, petroleum and other exotic forest products. The state-owned petroleum company Pertamina has been operated in the area since it took control oil refinery from the Royal Dutch Shell company in 1965.
The population is a mixture of people from the Indonesian archipelago with Dayaks and Kutai as indigenous ethnic groups living in rural areas. Prominent other migrant ethnic groups include Javanese, Chinese, Banjarese, Bugis and Malays, of which mostly live in coastal areas.
History
This province os the location of the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, Kutai, the existence of which is attested to by a stone manuscript, or Prasasti, which is now kept in the National Museum in Jakarta. The manuscript is written in the Pallawa alphabet and the Sanskrit language. The replica of this manuscript can be seen in the Governor’s Office in Samarinda.
Inscriptions on seven stone pillars (yupa posts) erected in the fifth century BCE on the command of a local ruler, King Mulavarman, records his victories, his generosity to brahmins, his princely genealogy.
Administration
East Kalimantan is divided into 10 regencies and 4 cities.
The regencies are:
1. Pasir Regency
2. Penajam Paser Utara Regency
3. Kutai Kartanegara Regency
4. West Kutai Regency
5. East Kutai Regency
6. Bulungan Regency
7. Berau Regency
8. Malinau Regency
9. Nunukan Regency
10. Tana Tidung Regency
The cities are:
1. Balikpapan
2. Samarinda
3. Bontang
4. Tarakan
Ecology
The main problem in this province is the illegal logging which destroyed almost all the rainforest. Less than half the original rainforest still remains, in places such as the Kayan Mentarang National Park in the northern part of the province.
Economy
East Kalimantan heavily depends on earth resources activity such as oilfield exploration, natural gas, as well as coal and gold mining. Balikpapan has an oil refinery plant that was primarily built by Dutch governance before World War II, destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt by Indonesia Governance.
Other developing economic sectors includes agriculture and tourism. East Kalimantan has several tourist destination such as Derawan Islands in Berau Regency, Kayan Mentarang National Park ini Nunukan, Crocodile Husbandry in Balikpapan, deer husbandry in Penajam, Dayak’s (native Kalimantan people) Pampang Village in Samarinda and many others.
The main problem to developing economic growth is lack of transportation infrastructure. Transportation depends on traditional boats connecting coastal cities and areas along main river, Mahakam River.
Places of Interest:
Samarinda
Samarinda is a capital of East Kalimantan province known for its fine sarong. The Garden of Mulawarman University has the education forest with 62.4 ha arboretum, about 12 km north of Samarinda. A number of modest but comfortable hotels availablein Samarinda.
Balikpapan
Balikpapan, the center of Kalimantan’s oil industry, is also the gateway to East Kalimantan with air and sea connections to Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia. Balikpapan has a major number of good hotels, including one of the international standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second-busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta.
Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake
Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake. This is recreational park called Tanah Merah Indah-Lempake ith a water fall, located 16 km from downtown Samarinda. It can be reached by car or public transportation.
Tenggarong
Tenggarong, up to Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of Kutai regency and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The Sultan’s palace at the riverside is now a museum where the old royal paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resamblance with Java’s court traditions. Every 24th of September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the town’s anniversary.
Berau
Berau. Found here are the remains of a king called the Keraton Gunung Tambur and The Keraton Sambaling.
Tanjung Isuy
Tanjung Isuy. This litle settlement around Lake Jempang, in the lake-studded East Kalimantan hinterland, has a traditional Da¬yak longhouse which has been turned into lodges for visitors. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief lies aside the hamlets’s only only road. Visitors are usually given a traditional Dayak Benuaq welcome. The trip over Tanjung Isuy over the Mahakam River is along but interesting one past floating village and forest scenery. See the magic dance of the “belian” a Dayak tribe‘s doctor. Dressed in skirt of leaves, cures his patients at night by performing the rites prescribed by ancestors to the frenzied accompaniment of gongs and drums. Many Benuaq Dayaks still prefer the old cures to the modern ones at the government public health centers which are nearby.
Derawan and Sangalaki Islands
‘Derawan and Sangalaki Islands 3 hours by long boat from Tanjung Redep in the north, you can reach Derawan Island. There are many rare animals such as the green turtle, the scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. Derawan and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine environment, including fabulous coral formations, canary crabs, green turtles and pearls.
Muara Ancalong
Muara Ancalong-Muara Wahau Dances at the Kenyah Dayak are often performed here for visitors at a traditional longhouse.
Bontang
Located in the regency of Kutai with an area of i 200.000 ha, Bontang has a rare flora and fauna. The Kutai National Park near Bontang is north visiting to see sceneries especially those at Beras Basah.
Bulungan
It is one place for the adventure-seeking visitors. Things of historic value and ancient remains, art collections and traditional ceremonies, with a background of beautiful panoramas of the jungle and mountains are to be found here.
Melak – Kersik luway
Melak is a little village further ustream on the Mahakam river in the heart of the land of Tanjung Dayak. Not far from the village is the Kersik Luway nature reserve, where the “Black Orchid grows.
Muara Ancalong – Muara Wahau
Dances of the Kenyah Dayak are often performed here for visitors at a traditional longhouse. Also various handicrafts can be seen and purchased.
