Merauke

Merauke is a large town and an administrative district which is also the administrative centre of Merauke Regency, Papua province, Indonesia. However, it is intended by the Indonesian Government that Merauke will become an city independent from the Regency, and will then become the capital of the proposed South Papua Province. It is considered to be one of the easternmost cities in Indonesia. The town was originally called Ermasoe.[1] It is next to the Maro River where the Port of Merauke is located. [2]

Merauke
Merauke
Merauke
Merauke (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 8°28′S 140°20′E
Country Indonesia
Province Papua
RegencyMerauke Regency
Government
 • MayorJohanes Gluba Gebze (Unofficial)
 • Vice Mayorvacant
Population
 (2010 Census)
 • Total87,634
Time zoneUTC+9 (Indonesia Eastern Time)
Area code(+62) 975
ClimateAw
Websitemerauke site government

As of the Indonesia 2010 census, Merauke had a population of 87,634.[3]

History

Merauke was established in February 1902 as a military post by the Dutch, to prevent raids by the Marind-anim into neighbouring British New Guinea and the northwest Torres Strait Islands (Boigu, Dauan and Saibai). The Dutch also tried to establish a rice colony there to no avail.

The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in Merauke is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Merauke.

RAAF No. 12 Squadron pilots in the mess at Merauke in December 1943

Merauke was the site of an Allied air base during World War II and there was ground fighting between Australian and Japanese patrols in the area.[4] It hosts the Musamus Merauke University, a state-run public university.

The expression "Sabang to Merauke" is used as shorthand for the territorial extent of Indonesia from west to east, for instance in the name of Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter. For instance, President Suharto stated in 1968 that independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity from Sabang to Merauke are for the Indonesian people matters of principle".[5]

Merauke as the name

Merauke is used for the name of United States navy ship, USS Merauke (ID-2498).

See also

References
  1. A Dictionary of the Aneityumese Language: In Two Parts, I. Aneityumese and English, II. English and Aneityumese; Also, Outlines of Aneityumese Grammar, and an Introduction by John Inglis, Williams & Norgate, 1882
  2. Port of Merauke
  3. Bito Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  4. Klemen, L. "The last Dutch fortress in the East Indies - Merauke, Dutch New Guinea, 1942". The Netherlands East Indies 1941-1942.
  5. "Transcript: Speech given by President Suharto at state dinner in honour of the Australian prime minister, Mr. John Gorton" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 13 June 1968.


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