What is Jakarta's official status?

Jakarta is the Special Capital Region of Jakarta and serves as Indonesia's de facto capital. It functions as the country's primary political, economic, and cultural center, though Indonesia does not formally designate an official capital city.

How large is Jakarta's population?

Jakarta has a population of approximately 10.6 million residents within the city proper, making it Indonesia's largest city and one of the world's most populous urban centers. The wider metropolitan region is even larger.

What are the main airports serving Jakarta?

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is Jakarta's primary international gateway, handling the majority of commercial traffic. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) serves secondary routes and some regional flights.

What is the best time to visit Jakarta?

The dry season from May to September offers more pleasant conditions with lower humidity. The rainy season from October to April brings heavy rainfall, particularly from December through February, which can impact outdoor activities.

What transportation options are available in Jakarta?

Jakarta has the Jakarta MRT rapid transit system, extensive bus networks, taxis, and ride-sharing services. However, traffic congestion is common during peak hours, particularly in central business districts.

Jakarta: Indonesia's Largest City & De Facto Capital

Jakarta, officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, is Indonesia's de facto capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 10.6 million people. Located on the northwestern coast of Java, the city borders West Java and Banten provinces and faces the Java Sea to the north. Jakarta covers approximately 662 square kilometers, though the wider metropolitan area known as Jabodetabek ranks among the world's largest urban agglomerations. As the country's political, economic, and cultural center, Jakarta hosts numerous national institutions, corporate headquarters, and the ASEAN secretariat. The city is situated at coordinates 6°12'S, 106°50'E in the Asia/Jakarta timezone (UTC+7).

Updated 2026-05-04 · Source: GeoNames, Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikipedia

Population: 11M
Best months: May–Sep
Local currency: IDR

Plan a trip Compare

Timezone

Asia/Jakarta

Jakarta: Indonesia's Largest City & De Facto Capital: -6.200, 106.833Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

Stay in Jakarta

Partner links — supports this site, no extra cost

Compare options across major OTAs. Same inventory, different filters and price formats — pick whichever you trust.

Booking.com Agoda Compare on Stay22

Quick facts

Jakarta is Indonesia's de facto capital with a population of 10,609,681 residents.
The city covers approximately 662 square kilometers on Java's northwestern coast.
Jakarta's metropolitan area, known as Jabodetabek, ranks among the world's largest urban agglomerations.
The city hosts the headquarters of ASEAN and numerous multinational corporations.
Jakarta is situated at coordinates 6°12'S, 106°50'E in the Asia/Jakarta timezone.
The dry season in Jakarta extends from May to September with reduced humidity.
Jakarta's rainy season spans October through April, with heaviest rainfall December to February.
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport serves as Jakarta's primary international aviation gateway.
The city functions as Indonesia's primary political, economic, and cultural center.
Jakarta lies on the northwestern coast of Java, facing the Java Sea to the north.

Geography and Location

Jakarta occupies the northwestern coast of Java, Indonesia's most populous island. The city proper spans approximately 662 square kilometers and is surrounded by West Java and Banten provinces, with the Java Sea forming its northern boundary. The wider metropolitan region, known as Jabodetabek, extends well beyond the city proper and is one of the world's largest urban agglomerations by population. The city's strategic coastal location has historically made it a major port and trading hub.

Area: 662 km²
Coordinates: 6°12'S, 106°50'E
Elevation: Approximately 8 meters above sea level

Population and Economy

With a population of 10.6 million residents within the city proper, Jakarta is Indonesia's largest urban center and the fifth-largest city in the world by metropolitan population. The city serves as the nation's primary economic engine, housing the headquarters of major corporations, banks, and the ASEAN secretariat. Jakarta's economy is driven by finance, trade, manufacturing, and services sectors, reflecting its status as Southeast Asia's largest economy by GDP contribution from a single metropolitan area.

City Population: 10,609,681
Primary Function: Political, economic, and cultural center

Best Time to Visit

Jakarta's tropical climate means the city is warm year-round, but the dry season from May to September offers more comfortable conditions with lower humidity. The rainy season runs from October to April, with December through February experiencing the heaviest rainfall. January and February can be particularly wet and uncomfortable for outdoor activities. For business travelers and city exploration, the dry season months are generally preferred.

Dry Season: May to September
Rainy Season: October to April

Getting Around

As Indonesia's largest city and primary transportation hub, Jakarta is well-connected by air, rail, and road. The city has two major airports: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is the primary gateway, and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) serves secondary routes. Within the city, transportation options include the Jakarta MRT system, buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services. The city's traffic is known to be congested, particularly during peak hours.

Primary Airport: Soekarno-Hatta International (CGK)
Secondary Airport: Halim Perdanakusuma (HLP)

Business and Cultural Hub

Jakarta functions as Indonesia's primary business and cultural center, hosting the headquarters of major multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies. The city contains numerous museums, galleries, and cultural institutions reflecting Indonesia's diverse heritage. As home to the ASEAN secretariat, Jakarta plays a significant role in regional political and economic affairs. The city offers diverse culinary experiences ranging from traditional Indonesian cuisine to international dining options.

Regional Role: ASEAN secretariat location
Economic Status: Indonesia's largest economic center

Frequently asked questions

What is Jakarta's official status?: Jakarta is the Special Capital Region of Jakarta and serves as Indonesia's de facto capital. It functions as the country's primary political, economic, and cultural center, though Indonesia does not formally designate an official capital city.
How large is Jakarta's population?: Jakarta has a population of approximately 10.6 million residents within the city proper, making it Indonesia's largest city and one of the world's most populous urban centers. The wider metropolitan region is even larger.
What are the main airports serving Jakarta?: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) is Jakarta's primary international gateway, handling the majority of commercial traffic. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) serves secondary routes and some regional flights.
What is the best time to visit Jakarta?: The dry season from May to September offers more pleasant conditions with lower humidity. The rainy season from October to April brings heavy rainfall, particularly from December through February, which can impact outdoor activities.
What transportation options are available in Jakarta?: Jakarta has the Jakarta MRT rapid transit system, extensive bus networks, taxis, and ride-sharing services. However, traffic congestion is common during peak hours, particularly in central business districts.

More about Jakarta: Indonesia's Largest City & De Facto Capital

Compare Jakarta: Indonesia's Largest City & De Facto Capital

vs Yogyakarta~2,400/mo

Plan a trip

Read about Vietnam

More in Indonesia

Related destinations

Yogyakarta

Capital of Indonesia's Special Region of Yogyakarta, renowned as a centre for classical Javanese arts, culture, and education on central Java.

Bali

Indonesian island province in the Lesser Sunda Islands, known for beaches, rice terraces, temples, and cultural heritage. Tourism accounts for 80% of the regional economy.

Ubud

Town in Bali's Gianyar Regency known for arts, culture, and wellness tourism within Indonesia's Greater Denpasar area.

Seminyak

Seminyak is a mixed tourist residential area on the west coast of Bali, Indonesia, known for beach access, upscale dining, and nightlife.

Sources & methodology

Geographic data from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Narrative sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and structured by Claude. Map by © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). See the methodology and sources registry for full attribution and update cadence.

This page last refreshed 2026-05-04.

Tours & activities

Partner link — supports this site, no extra cost

Tickets, day tours, attractions, eSIMs — booked with mobile vouchers and free cancellation on most options.

Browse on Klook