WELCOME TO EASTJAVA, THE INDONESIA TOURISM : HISTORY

The Madjapahit Dynasty based in and around East Java provincy, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay peninsula and part of the Philippines, also establishing profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam.

As power in Central Java declined in the 10-th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. Between the year 1055 and 1222, the kingdom of Kediri prospered and expanded. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed a lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, directly relating to a period of artistic advancement and mastery. Parts of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform closer to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its treasure of temple art.

Today the open air amphitheater at Pandaan tells some of the stories of this glorious past, with performances against an impressive backdrop of distant volcanoes, capturing the spirit of the province's culture and scenery. East Java's claim to fame in modern history is its vanguard role in the struggle for independence against colonial forces in 1945.

Little of the Majapahit Empire's former glory still stands in Eastjava, however, with the exception of temple ruins and some archeological discoveries. Nevertheless, East Java has a variety of attractions, ranging from temple sites to beautiful, unspoiled beaches, awesome volcanoes, picturesque highland lakes, colorful marine gardens and fantastic wildlife reserves. Magnificent mountain scenery includes the crater and legendary sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the "sulphur mountain" of Welirang and the rugged Ijen Plateau. The island of Madura, famous for its bull races, is also part of the province and has its own traditions and even a different language.

The provincial capital, Surabaya is second in size, population and commerce only to Jakarta. It is also the most industrialized province in the nation with a strong economy based on agriculture, fishery, oil industries, coffee, mangoes and apples.

The province is efficiently connected to the rest of Java by good roads, regular trains, and air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Denpasar on Bali, which is only half an hour's flight away, and Mataram in Lombok.

Visit www.eastjava.com there are 1000 picture here