Batavia

Batavia is a historical and geographical term referring to the area of modern-day Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. The term was widely used in the 17th to 19th centuries by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and its successor, the Dutch East Indies colonial government. The name "Batavia" is derived from the Batavi, an ancient Germanic tribe, and was chosen because it was thought to have historical connections to the Dutch people.

History

The city of Batavia was established by the Dutch in 1619 on the ruins of Jayakarta, a city of the Sundanese Kingdom. The Dutch initially named the city "Nieuw Hoorn" in honor of the birthplace of the VOC's founder, Jan Pieterszoon Coen, but it was soon renamed Batavia. The city served as the administrative center of the Dutch East India Company and later, the Dutch East Indies.

Geography

Batavia was located on the northwestern coast of Java, near the mouth of the Ciliwung River. The city was divided into two main sections: the walled city, or "Binnenstad", and the surrounding area, or "Ommelanden". The Binnenstad was further divided into several districts, each with its own unique characteristics and functions.

Health and Medicine

In the 19th century, Batavia was notorious for its unhealthy climate. Malaria and dysentery were common diseases, and the city was often referred to as the "graveyard of the Europeans". To combat these health issues, the colonial government implemented several public health measures, such as the construction of canals and the introduction of a clean water supply system.

Legacy

Today, the historical city of Batavia is remembered through several landmarks in Jakarta, such as the Jakarta History Museum, which is housed in the former city hall of Batavia, and the Jakarta Old Town, which preserves the old city layout and some of the historic buildings.