Discover Merauke City: Indonesia’s Easternmost Gem
Merauke City is located in Papua, Indonesia. It sits at the nation’s easternmost point. The city’s uniqueness goes beyond its geography. It is the last Indonesian territory that borders Papua New Guinea. This city uses the GMT +9 time zone. This is also known as Eastern Indonesia Time. The area spans 1,445.63 square kilometers. This size is only 3% of the entire Merauke Regency. Despite its size, Merauke City holds many unique facts.
The Origin of Its Name
The name “Merauke” has an interesting origin story. The story involves the Dutch who first arrived in the area. They landed near the Maro River. Then, they asked the local Marind tribe for the place’s name. A misunderstanding occurred due to language barriers. The Marind tribe could not speak Dutch or Indonesian. They simply said the river was the Maro River. In their language, this sounded like “Maro Ka Ehe.” This phrase eventually evolved into “Merauke.” This story explains the unique name of Merauke City.
The City of Deer
People often call Merauke City the “City of Deer.” This nickname comes from its history. In the past, many wild deer lived in its forests. These deer were not native to the area. Reports suggest the Dutch brought them during the colonial era. They adapted well and flourished in Papua’s environment. People frequently saw them roaming the area. This led to popular deer meat dishes like venison jerky. Sadly, illegal hunting now threatens the wild deer population in Merauke City.
A History of Immigration
Two native tribes are indigenous to Merauke. They are the Marind Anim and Sohoers tribes. Initially, Merauke City served foreigners and immigrants. The Dutch discovered the area on February 12, 1902. After this, immigrants from other parts of Indonesia arrived. People also came from Europe and China. They hunted birds in the southern forests. When the Dutch banned hunting, the immigrants returned to Merauke City. They spent their earnings there. Over time, the city became home to immigrants and many native Papuans.
Transportation and Access
Merauke City serves as a gateway for people and investors. It provides very adequate transportation infrastructure. Mopah International Airport is a major entry point. It was originally built in 1943 for wartime emergencies. Now, it connects the region to the rest of Indonesia. Its runway is 2,250 meters long. It can accommodate Boeing 737 series aircraft. Major airlines like Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air operate here. For sea travel, Merauke Port supports the region. The port provides several docks for passengers and cargo. This infrastructure is vital for the growth of Merauke City.
A Monument Like Avengers Headquarters
Merauke City has a very unique monument. It is called the Time Capsule Monument. The monument went viral on social media. It strongly resembles The Avengers’ headquarters from Marvel movies. Famed Indonesian architect Yori Antar designed it. The design also incorporates elements of local Papuan culture. President Joko Widodo inaugurated it in 2020. It contains seven hopes and dreams of Indonesian children. These dreams are for the years 2015 to 2085. A future generation will open the capsule in 2085. This landmark has become a new icon for Merauke City.
The Meaningful Libra Monument
Another important landmark in Merauke City is the Libra Monument. People also know it as the Brawijaya Circle. Officials inaugurated this monument on May 23, 2013. The structure symbolizes balance. It also represents the four cardinal directions. The number 1902 on the monument is significant. It marks the year the Marind people first met the outside world. A small globe sits at the very top. This shows the aspiration of Merauke City to be a global city. Below it is the city’s motto, “Izakod Bekai Izakod Kai.” This means “One Heart One Goal.”
Unique Crocodile Skin Crafts
Visitors to Merauke City should see the local crafts. Many products are made from crocodile skin. This is a prominent home industry in the area. A large crocodile population lives in the surrounding region. This practice is legal and highly regulated. The local government supervises controlled hunting. Crafters make beautiful shoes, belts, wallets, and bags. They even create unique and valuable golf bags. These crafts are a must-buy souvenir from Merauke City.
