Blitar, East Java, Indonesia

🇮🇩 Blitar is a landlocked city in East Java, Indonesia, about 73 km from Malang and 167 km from Surabaya. The area lies within longitude 111° 40' – 112° 09' East and its latitude is 8° 06' South. The city of Blitar lies at an altitude on average 167 metres above sea level, and is an enclave within Blitar Regency which surrounds the city on all sides. It covers an area of 32.57 km², and had a population of 131,968 at the 2010 Census and 149,149 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 159,781 (comprising 79,651 males and 80,130 females).

The city is noted as the location of the grave of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, five km from the city plaza. The Istana Gebang (Gebang palace) where Sukarno lived as a child is nearby and has been converted into a museum. containing numerous items commemorating Sukarno's place in Indonesian history. In addition, the very active Kelud volcano is located just over 20 km north of Blitar.

Blitar city is surrounded by four of the districts (kecamatan) of Blitar Regency - Kademangan, Garum, Nglegok and Sanankulon; added to the population of the city, this combined area of seven kecamatan had a total population in mid 2023 of 442,247 within 318.3 km².

Administrative districts Blitar city is divided into three districts (kecamatan): Sukorejo; Kepanjenkidul; Sawanwetan.

The kelurahan in each district are: • Sukorejo: Blitar, Karangsari, Sukorejo, Pakunden, Tanjungsari, Turi, Tlumpu; • Kepanjenkidul: Bendo, Kauman, Kepanjenkidul, Kepanjenlor, Ngadirejo, Sentul, Tanggung; • Sawanwetan: Bendogerit, Gedog, Karangtengah, Klampok, Plosokerep, Rembang, Sananwetan.

Local economic governance Based on the survey conducted between August 2010 and January 2011, Blitar was rated number one in Indonesia for local economic governance, being considered particularly good in infrastructure, the interaction between local administrations and businesses, business licensing, and regional head capacity and integrity.

Sukarno's Mausoleum Sukarno's Mausoleum is located at Bendogerit village, in Sunanwetan district, about 2 km from Blitar city.

The tomb is built in East Javanese "Joglo" architectural pattern, and combined with Gateway of Bentar. The mausoleum is 51 feet high, with a copper roof of a three-tier building. Underneath, Sukarno's plot is flanked by that of his mother and father. A stone of black andesite bears the inscription, "Here lies Bung Karno, proclaimer of independence, first president of Indonesia". Beside the main building of the tomb, the graveyard complex has Gapura Agung (The Great Gate), Mosque, halls, parks, a rest-area, and a parking place.

The tomb is opened to the public, attracts a large number of visitors, both domestic and international. About 1.5 million people visit the tomb annually.

Education: University • Nahdlatul Ulama University of Blitar • Balitar Islamic University • Kesuma Negara College of Economics (STIEKEN) • PGRI Blitar Teacher Training and Education College (STKIP PGRI Blitar) • Patria Husada College of Health Sciences (STIKES Patria Husada) • Indonesian Tax Management Academy (AMPINDO) • Putra Sang Fajar Blitar State Community Academy (AKN Putra Sang Fajar).