formerly (until 1949) Batavia or (1949–72) Djakarta largest city and capital of Indonesia. Coextensive with the metropolitan district of Jakarta Raya, it lies at the mouth of the Ciliwung (Liwung River) on the northwest coast of Java.
In 1966, when the city was declared to be a special metropolitan district (daerah khusus ibukota), it gained a status approximately equivalent to that of a state or province. The city has long been a major trade and financial centre. It has also become an important industrial city and a centre for education. Area 256 square miles (664 square km). Pop. (1999 est.) 9,604,900.