Mojokerto
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Mojokerto is one of the districts in East Java Province, Indonesia. It is located 40 km southwest of Surabaya, and constitutes one of the regional units of Gerbangkertosusila Development (a linkage of towns and city connecting Gresik, Bangkalan, Mojokerto, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Lamongan, supposed to sustain Surabaya as center of business and industrial activities).
[edit] Geographic area
- Northern boundary: Gresik and Lamongan
- Southern boundary: Malang
- Eastern boundary: Sidoarjo and Pasuruan
- Western boundary: Jombang
Mojokerto’s territory is 872 km², located between 15 m and 3,156 m above sea level, divided into two region (the North and the South) by the Brantas River. There are big and small mountains in the area, including Welirang Mountain (3,156 m), Anjasmoro Mountain (2,277 m) and Penanggungan Mountain (1693m).
[edit] Demographics and overview
The population of the district is about 881,000 (2000), with many earning a living as small farmers and craftsmen (consisting shoemakers, furniture makers, and souvenir makers).
Mojokerto occupies a strategic position and role in East Java. It functions as a reliable sustaining stock of foodstuff and tourist attraction. There is PPLH (Pusat Pendidikan Lingkungan Hidup – Seloliman Environmental Education Centre), a non-governmental organisation aiming to further environmental awareness. Historically, Mojokerto is widely known as the then center of Wetan Mas Kingdom of King Airlangga (1029/1041), and of Majapahit Kingdom with its Brawijaya dynasty (1292-1400) and its territories exceeding the now Nusantara (standardized concept of Indonesian archipelagic territories).
[edit] The Seven Age Anniversary Plan of Majapahit Glory
Since four years ago, there have been several cultural fairs in East Java, lasting for a week. Some 37 districts participated. These activities have been held in alternate towns and cities such as Surabaya, Malang, Jember, Madiun. The activities were aimed at utilizing East Java’s specific potentials either in the form of traditional arts or special foods in the framework of marketing tourist objects of East Java. This year coinciding with the year of the Green Environment, of Tourist Visit, and of Seven-Age commemoration stipulated Mojokerto as the site for holding cultural fair. For this purpose local and provincial committee are and have been taking the following measures:
- To hold a symposium on the verge of seven-age anniversary of Majapahit and to carry any book-writing concerning Majapahit
- To designate the year of Green Environment by planting rare plants in the area Majapahit remains; thirty seven Kabupaten in East Java Province will participate on this occasion.
- To innovate Majapahit’s artifacts (archaeological remains)
- To establish facilities of tourists objects
Various activities being arranged are as follows:
- East Java’s cultural and tourist fair reflecting the glory of Majapahit
- Archaeological Exhibition
- Seminars of archaeologists and historians
- Cultural arts and festivals
- Introduction to tourist objects
The above mentioned events took place from July 5, 1993 to July 15, 1993. Some foreign tourists came from China, Finland, Denmark, Malaysia and the Middle East.