Java

Lore & Background

Java was formed by volcanic eruptions due to geologic subduction of the Australian Plate under the Sunda Plate. It is the 13th largest island in the world and the fifth largest in Indonesia by landmass. A chain of volcanic mountains forms the east–west spine of the island, with 38 mountains that have been active volcanoes at some time. Java's mountains and highlands split the interior into regions suitable for wet-rice cultivation, among the richest in the world.

Reader's Guide

Java's significance lies in its role as the demographic and historical core of Indonesia. It holds about 56% of the Indonesian population on only 7% of the country's land area. Four of Indonesia's eight UNESCO world heritage sites are located on Java: Ujung Kulon National Park, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and Sangiran Early Man Site. The island is divided into four provinces (Banten, West Java, Central Java, East Java) and two special regions (Jakarta and Yogyakarta). Its natural environment ranges from tropical rainforest in the west to dry savanna in the east, supporting endemic species such as the Javan rhinoceros, Javan banteng, and Javan leopard, though some like the Javan tiger and Javan elephant are now extinct. The name 'Java' likely derives from the jawa (foxtail millet) plant, though other theories exist. The toponym appears in ancient Sanskrit, Tamil, Pāli, Greek, and Chinese sources, reflecting its long historical importance.

Did You Know?

• The island's name may derive from the jawa (foxtail millet) plant, from Proto-Austronesian *zawa.
• The Javan tiger and Javan elephant are now extinct.