Jepara Regency

Jepara (Javanese: ꦗꦼꦥꦫ) is a regency in the northeast of the Indonesian province of Central Java. It covers an area of 1,020.25 km² and had a population of 1,097,280 at the 2010 census^[2] and 1,184,947 at the 2020 census;^[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 1,283,687 (comprising 645,757 males and 637,930 females).^[1] Its capital is Jepara town.

Jepara Regency Kabupaten Jepara
Regency
Coat of arms
Motto:  Trus Karyo Tataning Bumi (Javanese: Keep working hard to build regional)
Location of Jepara Regency in Central Java
Coordinates: 6°32′0″S 110°40′0″E
Country	Indonesia
Province	Central Java
Capital	Jepara
Government
• Regent	Edy Suprianta (until Regent Election 2024)
• Vice Regent	-
Area
• Total	1,020.25 km2 (393.92 sq mi)
Population  (mid 2024 estimate)
• Total	1,283,687
• Density	1,300/km2 (3,300/sq mi)
	[1]
Time zone	UTC+7 (WIB)
Area code	+62 291 (mainland) +62 297 (Karimun Java)
Website	jeparakab.go.id

History

Jepara city views around the year 1650

People believed to have come from South Yunnan region migrated into the northern tip of Java during a time when Jepara was still separated by the Juwana Strait.^{[citation needed]}

1858 map of Jepara

In the 16th century, Jepara was an important port; in early 1513, its king, Yunnus (Pati Unus) led an attack against Portuguese Malacca. His force is said to have been made up of one hundred ships and 5000 men from Jepara and Palembang but was defeated. Between 1518 and 1521 he apparently ruled over Demak. The rule of Ratu ('Queen') Kalinyamat in the latter 16th century was, however, Jepara's most influential. Jepara again attacked Malacca in 1551 this time with Johor but was defeated, and in 1574 besieged Malacca for three months.^[4]

The regency is the birthplace of Indonesian national heroine Kartini.^[5]

Geography

Jepara Regency is located in the northeastern coastal region of Central Java, bordering Java Sea in the north and west, Kudus Regency and Pati Regency in the east, and Demak Regency in the south. The eastern border is primarily a mountainous region, with the most notable peak being Mount Muria. The regency also includes the Karimumjawa Archipelago, itself recognized as an administrative district, located in the Java Sea approximately 80 kilometres northwest from the mainland part of Jepara Regency.

Administrative Districts

Jepara Regency comprises sixteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 census^[2] and the 2020 census,^[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2024.^[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 184 rural desa and 11 urban kelurahan - the latter all in Jepara town district), and its post code.

Kode Wilayah	Name of District (kecamatan)	Area in km2	Pop'n census 2010	Pop'n census 2020	Pop'n estimate mid 2024	Admin centre	No. of villages	Post code
33.20.01	Kedung	45.71	70,835	77,052	84,096	Bugel	18	59463
33.20.02	Pecangaan	37.08	77,172	82,924	91,787	Lebuawu	12	59460
33.20.13	Kalinyamatan	25.03	58,140	61,087	66,846	Margoyoso	12	59462
33.20.03	Welahan	29.21	69,496	75,971	83,046	Kalipucang Kulon	15	59464
33.20.04	Mayong	70.66	82,831	90,788	99,299	Pelemkerep	18	59465
33.20.12	Nalumsari	55.25	68,606	74,737	82,817	Gemiring Lor	15	59466
33.20.05	Batealit	96.20	77,923	84,741	92,276	Mindahan	11	59461
33.20.11	Tahunan	42.69	101,581	108,962	117,668	Tahunan	15	59421 -59451
33.20.06	Jepara (town)	27.05	79,508	81,838	85,970	Panggang	16	59411 -59432
33.20.07	Mlonggo	47.52	77,794	83,732	90,333	Jambu	8	59452
33.20.15	Pakis Aji	65.18	54,690	60,144	64,992	Lebak	8	59450
33.20.08	Bangsri	90.79	93,798	99,965	106,914	Bangsri	12	59453
33.20.14	Kembang	118.77	64,798	70,530	75,227	Jinggotan	11	59457
33.20.09	Keling	121.09	58,435	68,047	68,636	Kelet	12	59456
33.20.16	Donorojo	101.41	52,958	58,581	62,980	Tulakan	8	59454
33.20.10	Karimunjawa	46.62	8,715	9,789	10,800	Karimunjawa	4	59455
	Totals	1,020.25	1,097,280	1,184,947	1,283,687	Jepara	195

Note: (a) comprises 11 urban kelurahan (Bapangan, Bulu, Demaan, Jobokuto, Karangkebagusan, Kauman, Panggang, Pengkol, Potroyudan, Saripan and Ujungbatu) and 5 rural desa.

Contemporary Jepara

The population is almost entirely Javanese and over 95% Muslim.^{[citation needed]} As a pesisir ('coastal') area many traders from around the world landed in Jepara centuries ago.^{[citation needed]}

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Jepara

Tourism in Jepara is an important component of the economy of Jepara and a significant source of tax revenue. Jepara is a town which is known for its culinary, education, tourism, and rich cultural heritage. There are many possibilities and opportunities for the city to prosper and benefit more, but yet until now the government has not yet fully utilized them. Jepara, although only a small town, has many tourist attractions, with the mountain tourism, beach tourism, underwater tours, tour of the islands. Foreign tourists often visit Tirto Samodra Beach (Bandengan Beach), Karimunjawa Islands (Crimon Java), Kartini Beach, etc.