View source for Central Java

{{Short description|Province in Java, Indonesia}}
{{Distinguish|Central Sava Statistical Region{{!}}Central Sava}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Central Java
| native_name        = {{lang|id|Jawa Tengah}}
| official_name      = Province of Central Java<br>{{nobold|{{lang|id|Provinsi Jawa Tengah}}}}
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Central Java.svg
| image_flag         = 
| shield_size        = 110
| flag_size          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_map          = Central Java in Indonesia.svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = {{centre|{{Legend inline|#C41E3A|outline=red}} '''Central Java''' in {{Legend inline|#FFFDD0|outline=silver}} '''[[Indonesia]]'''}}
| coordinates        = {{coord|7|30|S|110|00|E|region:ID_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| motto = {{force singular}} {{lang|jv|Prasetya Ulah Sakti Bhakti Praja}} ([[Javanese language|Javanese]])<br> ꦥꦿꦱꦠꦾꦲꦸꦭꦃꦱꦏ꧀ꦠꦶꦧꦏ꧀ꦠꦶꦥꦿꦗ <br>"The Powerful Devotion for the Country"
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Indonesia}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Indonesia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Java]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 19 August 1945<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kebudayaan.kemdikbud.go.id/muspres/sejarah-wilayah-indonesia/|title=Sejarah Wilayah Indonesia|date=12 September 2018|author=Museum Kepresidenan|work=Museum Kepresidenan RI Balai Kirti |publisher=[[Ministry of Education and Culture (Indonesia)|Ministry of Education and Culture]]|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129032207/https://kebudayaan.kemdikbud.go.id/muspres/sejarah-wilayah-indonesia/|archive-date=29 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
| founder            = 
| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = Capital<br />{{nobold|and largest city}}
| seat               = [[Semarang]]
| government_footnotes = 
| governing_body     = Central Java Provincial Government
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Central Java|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Ahmad Luthfi]] ([[Gerindra Party|Gerindra]])
| leader_title2      = Vice Governor
| leader_name2       = [[Taj Yasin Maimoen]] 
| leader_title3      = [[Regional House of Representatives|Legislature]]
| leader_name3       = [[:id:Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah Provinsi Jawa Tengah|
Central Java Regional House of Representatives]] (DPRD)
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 34337.49
| area_rank          = [[Provinces of Indonesia|25th in Indonesia]]
| area_note          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_total   = 37892280
| population_as_of   = mid 2024 estimate
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Tengah Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.33)</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank    = 3rd in Indonesia
| population_note    = 
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_footnotes = <!-- for references: use<ref>tags -->
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in Indonesia|Ethnic groups]] {{nobold|(2010)}}<ref name=census2010 />
| timezone1          = [[Time in Indonesia|Indonesia Western Time]]
| utc_offset1        = +7
| geocode            = 
| iso_code           = ID-JT
| website            = {{URL|jatengprov.go.id}}
| footnotes          = 
| type               = [[Provinces of Indonesia|Province]]
| elevation_max_m    = 3428
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Slamet]]
| demographics1_info1 = 97.9% [[Javanese people|Javanese]]<br />1.4% [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]]<br />0.4% [[Chinese Indonesian|Chinese]]<br />0.3% [[Ethnic groups in Indonesia|other]]
| demographics1_title2 = [[Religion in Indonesia|Religion]] {{nobold|(2022)}}<ref name="ArcGIS Web Application">{{cite web | url=https://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | title=ArcGIS Web Application | access-date=14 October 2022 | archive-date=5 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705211227/http://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| demographics1_info2 = 97.30% [[Islam in Indonesia|Islam]]
{{Tree list}}
*2.50% [[Christianity in Indonesia|Christianity]]
**1.58% [[Protestantism in Indonesia|Protestantism]]
**0.92% [[Catholicism in Indonesia|Catholicism]]
{{Tree list/end}}
0.14% [[Buddhism in Indonesia|Buddhism]]<br />0.04% [[Hinduism in Indonesia|Hinduism]]<br />0.02% [[Kejawèn]]<br />0.04% [[Confucianism in Indonesia|Confucainism]]
| demographics1_title3 = [[Languages of Indonesia|Languages and dialects]]
| demographics1_info3 = [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] (official)<br />[[Javanese language|Javanese]] (native)<br />[[Sundanese language|Sundanese]]
| blank_name         = [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] (nominal)
| blank_info         = 2022<ref name="bpsdata2022">{{Cite web |author=Badan Pusat Statistik |author-link=Statistics Indonesia |year=2023 |title=Produk Domestik Regional Bruto (Milyar Rupiah), 2020–2022 |url=https://www.bps.go.id/indicator/52/286/1/-seri-2010-produk-domestik-regional-bruto-.html |publisher=Badan Pusat Statistik |location=Jakarta |language=id}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = &nbsp;- Total
| blank1_info        = [[Indonesian rupiah|Rp]] 1,560.9&nbsp;trillion ([[List of Indonesian provinces by GDP|4th]])<br>[[USD|US$]] 105.1&nbsp;billion<br>[[Int$]]  328.0&nbsp;billion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]])
| blank2_name        = &nbsp;- Per capita
| blank2_info        = [[Indonesian rupiah|Rp]] 42.2&nbsp;million ([[List of Indonesian provinces by GRP per capita|28th]])<br>[[USD|US$]]&nbsp;2,839<br>[[Int$]]  8,858&nbsp;([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]])
| blank3_name        = &nbsp;- Growth
| blank3_info        = {{Increase}} 5.31%<ref name="bappenas2022">{{Cite web |author=Badan Pembangunan Nasional |author-link=Ministry of National Development Planning (Indonesia) |year=2023 |title=Capaian Indikator Utama Pembangunan |url=https://simreg.bappenas.go.id/home/pemantauan/lpe |publisher=Badan Pembangunan Nasional |location=Jakarta |language=id}}</ref>
| blank4_name        = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2024)
| blank4_info        = {{increase}} 0.739<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bps.go.id/id/pressrelease/2024/11/15/2296/indeks-pembangunan-manusia--ipm--indonesia-tahun-2024-mencapai-75-02--meningkat-0-63-poin-atau-0-85-persen-dibandingkan-tahun-sebelumnya-yang-sebesar-74-39-.html|title=Indeks Pembangunan Manusia 2024|publisher=[[Statistics Indonesia]]|date=2024|language=id|access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref> ([[List of Indonesian provinces by Human Development Index|20th]]) – <span style=color:#090>high</span>
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|zoom=8}}{{hidden end}}
}}

'''Central Java''' ({{langx|id|Jawa Tengah}}, {{langx|jv|ꦗꦮꦶꦩꦢꦾ|Jawi Tengah}}) is a [[Provinces of Indonesia|province]] of [[Indonesia]], located in the middle of the island of [[Java]]. Its administrative capital is [[Semarang]]. It is bordered by [[West Java]] in the west, the [[Indian Ocean]] and the [[Special Region of Yogyakarta]] in the south, [[East Java]] in the east, and the [[Java Sea]] in the north. It has a total area of 33,750.37&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, with a population of 36,516,035 at the 2020 Census<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref> making it the third-most populous province in both Java and Indonesia after [[West Java]] and [[East Java]]. The official population estimate in mid-2024 was 37,892,280 (comprising 19,037,740 males and 18,854,540 females).<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Tengah Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.33)</ref> The province also includes a number of offshore islands, including the island of [[Nusa Kambangan|Nusakambangan]] in the south (close to the border of West Java), and the [[Karimunjawa|Karimun Jawa Islands]] in the Java Sea.

Central Java is also a cultural concept that includes the [[Yogyakarta Special Region]], in turn including the city of [[Yogyakarta]]; however, administratively that city and its surrounding [[Regencies of Indonesia|regencies]] have formed a separate [[Yogyakarta Special Region|special region]] (equivalent to a province) since the country's independence, and is administered separately. Although known as the "heart" of [[Javanese culture]], there are several other non-Javanese ethnic groups, such as the [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]] on the border with West Java. [[Chinese Indonesians]], [[Arab Indonesians]], and [[Indian Indonesians]] are also scattered throughout the province.

The province has been inhabited by humans since the prehistoric-era. Remains of a ''[[Homo erectus]]'', known as "[[Java Man]]", were found along the banks of the [[Solo River|Bengawan Solo]], and date back to 1.7 million years ago.<ref name=":0">Cited in {{cite book |title=The Ecology of Java and Bali |last1=Whitten |first1=T. |publisher=Periplus Editions Ltd |year=1996 |location=Hong Kong |pages=309–312 |last2=Soeriaatmadja |first2=R.E. |last3=Suraya |first3=A.A. |postscript=:}}<br />{{cite journal |last=Pope |first=G. |year=1988 |title=Recent advances in far eastern paleoanthropology |journal=Annual Review of Anthropology |volume=17 |pages=43–77 |doi=10.1146/annurev.an.17.100188.000355}}<br />{{cite journal |last=Pope |first=G. |date=15 August 1983 |title=Evidence on the Age of the Asian Hominidae |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |volume=80 |issue=16 |pages=4988–4992 |doi=10.1073/pnas.80.16.4988 |pmc=384173 |pmid=6410399|bibcode=1983PNAS...80.4988P |doi-access=free }}<br />{{cite journal |last1=de Vos |first1=J.P. |date=9 December 1994 |title=Dating hominid sites in Indonesia |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/266/5191/1726.pdf |journal=Science Magazine |volume=266 |issue=16 |pages=4988–4992 |doi=10.1126/science.7992059 |first2=P.Y. |last2=Sondaar |bibcode=1994Sci...266.1726D |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929225215/http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/266/5191/1726.pdf |archive-date=29 September 2009 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref> What is present-day Central Java was once under the control of several Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and the [[Dutch East Indies]] colonial government. Central Java was also the centre of the [[Indonesian National Awakening|Indonesian independence movement]]. As the majority of modern-day [[Indonesians]] are of [[Javanese people|Javanese]] descent, both Central Java and [[East Java]] have a major impact on Indonesia's social, political, and economic life.

== History ==
{{See also|History of Indonesia}}

=== Prehistoric era ===
[[File:Sangiran 17-02.JPG|thumb|Fossil of the ''[[Java Man]],'' found in [[Sangiran]], [[Sragen Regency]]]]
Java has been inhabited by humans or their ancestors ([[hominina]]) since prehistoric times. In Central Java and the adjacent territories in East Java remains known as "[[Java Man]]" were discovered in the 1890s by the Dutch anatomist and geologist [[Eugène Dubois]]. It belongs to the species ''[[Homo erectus]]'',<ref name = hominid>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043428/Java-man |title=Java man (extinct hominid)  |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911233444/https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9043428/Java-man |archive-date=11 September 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> and are believed to be about 1.7 million years old.<ref name = hominid /> The [[Sangiran]] site is an important prehistoric site on Java.

Around {{formatnum:40000}} years ago, [[Australoid]] peoples related to modern Australian Aboriginals and [[Melanesians]] settled in Central Java. They were assimilated or replaced by Mongoloid [[Austronesians]] by about 3,000 BC, who brought technologies of pottery, outrigger canoes, the bow and arrow, and introduced domesticated pigs, fowls, and dogs. They also introduced cultivated rice and millet.<ref>Robert Cribb, ''Historical Atlas of Indonesia'' (2000:30)</ref>

=== Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic era ===
{{see also|Hinduism in Java}}
[[File:Borobudur as Pilgrimage Site Painting by Hooijer c1910s.jpg|thumb|A painting (c. 1916–1919) by G. B. Hooijer reconstructing the scene of [[Borobudur]] during its height]]
Recorded history began in what is now Central Java in the 7th century AD. The writing, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism, were brought by the Indians from South Asia, at the time of Central Java was a centre of power in Java. In 664 AD, the Chinese monk [[Huineng|Hui-neng]] visited the Javanese port city he called ''Hēlíng'' (訶陵) or ''Ho-ling'', where he translated various Buddhist scriptures into Chinese with the assistance of the Javanese Buddhist monk Jñānabhadra. It is not precisely known what is meant by the name ''Hēlíng''. It used to be considered the Chinese transcription of ''Kalinga'' but it is now most commonly thought of as a rendering of the name ''Areng''. ''Hēlíng'' is believed to be located somewhere between Semarang and [[Jepara]].

The first dated inscription in Central Java was the [[Canggal inscription|Canggal]] from 732 AD. This inscription, from [[Kedu Plains|Kedu]], is written in Sanskrit in [[Pallava script]]. It is written that a [[Shaivism|Shaivite]] king named [[Sri Sanjaya]] established a kingdom called [[Mataram Kingdom|Mataram]]. Under the reign of Sanjaya's dynasty, several monuments such as the [[Prambanan]] temple complex were built. At the same time, a competing dynasty [[Sailendra]] arose, adhering to [[Buddhism]] and built the [[Borobudur]] temple. After 820 AD, there was no more mention of the ''Hēlíng'' in Chinese records. Coinciding with the overthrow of the Sailendras by the Sanjayas who restored Shaivism as the dominant religion. In the middle of the 10th century, however, the centre of power moved to eastern Java. [[Raden Wijaya]] founded the [[Majapahit Empire]], and reaching its peak during the reign of [[Hayam Wuruk]]. The kingdom claimed sovereignty over the entire [[Nusantara (archipelago)|Indonesian archipelago]], although direct control tended to be limited to Java, [[Bali]] and [[Madura Island|Madura]]. [[Gajah Mada]] was a military leader during this time, who led numerous territorial conquests. The kingdoms in Java had previously based their power on agriculture, but Majapahit had succeeded in seizing ports and shipping lanes, in a bid to become the first commercial empire on Java. The empire suffered a setback after the death of Hayam Wuruk and the [[Spread of Islam in Indonesia|entry of Islam into the archipelago]].

In the late 16th century, [[Islam]] had surpassed [[Hinduism]] and Buddhism as the dominant religion in Java. The emergence of Islamic kingdoms in Java is also inseparable from the role of [[Wali Sanga|Walisongo]]. At first, the spread of Islam was quick and was accepted by ordinary people, until the entrance of ''[[da'wah]]'' and it was carried out by the rulers of the island. The [[Demak Sultanate|Sultanate of Demak]] was the first recorded Islamic kingdom in Java, first led by one of the descendants of the Majapahit emperor [[Raden Patah]], who converted to Islam. During this period, Islamic kingdoms began to develop from [[Kingdom of Pajang|Pajang]], [[Surakarta Sunanate|Surakarta]], [[Yogyakarta Sultanate|Yogyakarta]], [[Sultanate of Cirebon|Cirebon]], and [[Banten Sultanate|Banten]]. Another Islamic kingdom, the [[Mataram Sultanate|Sultanate of Mataram]], grew into a dominant force in the central and eastern Java. The cities of [[Surabaya]] and [[Cirebon]] were subdued by Mataram. Only the Mataram and Banten Sultanates remained after the Dutch arrived in the early 17th century. Some Islamic kingdoms in Java can still be found in several regions, such as [[Surakarta]] (with two kingdoms of [[Surakarta Sunanate|Kasunanan]] and [[Mangkunegaran]]), and [[Yogyakarta]] with the [[Yogyakarta Sultanate]] and [[Pakualaman]].

=== Dutch colonial rule ===
[[File:Mataram 1830-en.png|thumb|200px|right|The shattered kingdom, Mataram in 1830, after the [[Java War]].]]
By the late 16th century, European traders began to frequent central Javanese ports. The Dutch established a presence in the region through the [[Dutch East India Company|East India Company]]. Following the fall of Demak to Mataram under the reign of [[Sultan Agung]], Mataram was able to conquer almost all of Java by the 17th century, but internal disputes and Dutch intervention forced it to cede more land to the Dutch. These cessions led to several partitions of Mataram. The first was after the 1755 [[Treaty of Giyanti]], which divided the kingdom in two, the Sultanates of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Surakarta was divided again with the establishment of the [[Mangkunegaran]] following the 1757 Treaty of Salatiga.

During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Central Java as a Dutch colony was [[Invasion of Java (1811)|taken over by the British]]. In 1813, the Sultanate of Yogyakarta was divided with the establishment of the Pakualaman. Following the departure of the British, the Dutch returned as stipulated in the [[Congress of Vienna]]. The [[Java War]] between 1825 and 1830 ravaged Central Java, which resulted in a consolidation of the Dutch power. The power and the territories of the already divided Mataram were greatly reduced. After the war, the [[Netherlands]] enforced the [[Cultivation System]] which was linked to famines and epidemics in the 1840s, first in Cirebon and then Central Java, as cash crops such as indigo and sugar had to be grown instead of rice.

In the 1900s, the predecessor of the modern Central Java was created, named ''Gouvernement van Midden-Java''. Before 1905, central Java consisted of 5 ''gewesten'' (regions) namely [[Semarang]], [[Rembang Regency|Rembang]], [[Kedu Residency|Kedu]], [[Banyumas Regency|Banyumas]], and [[Pekalongan]]. [[Surakarta]] was still an independent ''vorstenland'' (autonomous region) which stood alone and consisted of two regions, Surakarta and Mangkunegaran, as well as Yogyakarta. Each ''gewest'' consisted of districts. At that time, the ''Rembang Gewest'' also included ''Regentschap [[Tuban]]''and ''Regentschap [[Bojonegoro Regency|Bojonegoro]]''. After the enactment of the 1905 ''Decentralisatie Besluit'' (Decentralisation Decision), the governor was given autonomy and a regional Council was formed. In addition, autonomous ''gemeente'' (municipal) was formed, [[Pekalongan]], [[Tegal (city)|Tegal]], [[Semarang]], [[Salatiga]], and [[Magelang]]. In 1930, the province was designated as an autonomous region with a ''provinciale raad'' (provincial council). The province consists of several ''residenties'' (residencies), covering several ''regentschap'' (districts), divided into several ''kawedanan'' (districts). Central Java consisted of 5 residences: Pekalongan, Jepara-[[Rembang Regency|Rembang]], Semarang, [[Banyumas Regency|Banyumas]], and [[Kedu Residency|Kedu]].

=== Independence and contemporary era ===
On 1 March 1942, the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] [[Battle of Java (1942)|landed on Java]], and the following week, the [[Dutch East Indies]] surrendered to Japan. During Japanese rule, Java and [[Madura]] were placed under the [[Sixteenth Army (Japan)|Japanese 16th Army]]. Many who lived in areas considered important to the war effort experienced [[torture]], [[sex slavery]], [[arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrest]] and execution, and other [[war crimes]]. Thousands of people were taken away as [[forced labour]]ers (''[[romusha]]'') for Japanese military projects, including the [[Death Railway|Burma-Siam]] and [[Saketi-Bayah railway]]s, and suffered or died as a result of ill-treatment and starvation. A later [[United Nations|UN]] report stated that four million people died in Indonesia as a result of the Japanese occupation.<ref>Cited in: Dower, John W. ''War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War'' (1986; Pantheon; {{ISBN|0-394-75172-8}}).</ref> About 2.4 million people died in Java from famine during 1944–45.<ref>Van der Eng, Pierre (2008) 'Food Supply in Java during War and Decolonisation, 1940–1950.' ''MPRA Paper No. 8852.'' pp.&nbsp;35–38. [https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/8852/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103224119/https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/8852/|date=3 November 2018}}</ref>[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Luchtfoto van Semarang rechtsboven N.I.S. station TMnr 10014760.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the city of [[Semarang]], the capital of Central Java since the Dutch colonial era]]

Following the surrender of Japan, Indonesia [[Proclamation of Indonesian Independence|proclaimed its independence]] on 17 August 1945. The final stages of warfare were initiated in October when, under the terms of their surrender, the Japanese tried to re-establish the authority they relinquished to the Indonesians in towns and cities. The fiercest fighting involving the Indonesian ''pemuda'' and the Japanese was [[Battle of Semarang|in Semarang]]. Six days later, British forces began to occupy the city, after which retreating Indonesian Republican forces retaliated by killing between 130 and 300 Japanese prisoners. Five hundred Japanese and 2,000 Indonesians had been killed, and the Japanese had almost captured the city when British forces arrived.{{sfn|Ricklefs|1991|p=216}}

The province of Central Java was formed on 15 August 1950, excluding Yogyakarta but including [[Special Region of Surakarta|Surakarta]].<ref name="Jateng-Profil" /> There has been no significant changes in the administrative division of the province ever since. In the aftermath of the [[30 September Movement]] in 1965, [[Indonesian killings of 1965–66|an anti-communist purge]] took place in Central Java, in which the army and community vigilante groups killed Communists and leftists, both actual and alleged. Others were interned in [[concentration camp]]s, the most infamous of which was on the isle of [[Buru]] in Maluku, first used as a place of political exile by the Dutch. Some were executed years later, but most were released in 1979<ref>Robert Cribb, ''Historical Atlas of Indonesia'' (2000:170–171).</ref> In 1998, near the [[Fall of Suharto|downfall of Suharto]], [[May 1998 riots of Indonesia|anti-Chinese violence]] broke out in Surakarta (Solo) and surrounding areas, in which Chinese property and other buildings were burnt down. The following year, public buildings in Surakarta were burnt by supporters of [[Megawati Sukarnoputri]] after Indonesia's parliament chose [[Abdurrahman Wahid]] instead of Megawati for the presidency.

The [[2006 Yogyakarta earthquake]] in the south and Yogyakarta devastated many buildings and caused thousands of deaths and more than {{formatnum:37000}} injuries.

== Geography ==
[[File:Slamet & Serayu, Watu Meja,.jpg|thumb|Landscape of the [[Serayu River]] Valley, with [[Mount Slamet]] in the background]]
[[File:Sindoro sumbing.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Sundoro|Mount Sindoro]] and [[Mount Sumbing]] viewed from the [[Dieng Plateau|Dieng Pleteau]]]]
According to the slope level of land in Central Java, 38% of the land has a slope of 0–2%, 31% has a slope of 2–15%, 19% has a slope of 15–40%, and the remaining 12% has a slope of more than 40%.

The northern coastal region of Central Java has a narrow lowland. In the [[Brebes Regency|Brebes]] area, it is 40&nbsp;km wide from the coast, while in Semarang, it is only 4&nbsp;km wide. This plain continues with the depression of Semarang-Rembang in the east. [[Mount Muria]] at the end of the Ice Age (around 10,000 years BC) was a separate island from Java, which eventually fused because of alluvial deposits from flowing rivers.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sunarto|date=2006|title=Geomorphological Development of the Muria Palaeostrait in Relation to the Morphodynamics of the Wulan Delta, Central Java|journal=Indonesian Journal of Geography}}</ref> The city of [[Demak, Demak|Demak]] during the era of the [[Demak Sultanate]]  was on the edge of the sea and became a thriving port. This sedimentation process is still ongoing on the coast of [[Semarang]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/semarang-is-sinking-all-has-become-sea-for-its-tiny-neighbour|title=Semarang is sinking – 'all has become sea' for its tiny neighbour|last=hermes|date=4 November 2018|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104133145/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/semarang-is-sinking-all-has-become-sea-for-its-tiny-neighbour|archive-date=4 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the south of the area are the Northern Cretaceous Mountains and the Kendeng Mountains, which are limestone mountains stretching from the east of Semarang from the Southwest end of Pati then east to the [[Lamongan Regency|Lamongan]] and [[Bojonegoro Regency|Bojonegoro]] in East Java.
[[File:Barakuda Beach 2 Karimun Jawa.jpg|thumb|Beach in [[Karimunjawa]] Island, [[Jepara Regency]]]]
The main range of mountains in Central Java is the North and South Serayu Mountains. The North forms a mountain chain that connects the [[Bogor]] range in West Java with the Kendeng Mountains in the east. The width of this mountain range is around 30–50&nbsp;km; on the western end there is [[Mount Slamet]], which is the highest mountain in Central Java as well as the second-highest mountain in Java, and the eastern part is the [[Dieng Plateau]] with peaks of Mount Prahu and [[Mount Ungaran]]. Between the series of North and South Serayu Mountains are separated by the Serayu Depression which stretches from Majenang in the [[Cilacap Regency]], [[Purwokerto]], to [[Wonosobo Regency|Wonosobo]]. East of this depression is the Sindoro and Sumbing volcano, and the east again (Magelang and Temanggung areas) is a continuation of depression which limits Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu.

The Southern Serayu Mountains are part of the South Central Java Basin located in the southern part of the province. This mandala is a geoantiklin that extends from west to east along 100 kilometres and is divided into two parts separated by the Jatilawang valley, namely the western and eastern regions. The western part is formed by Mount Kabanaran (360&nbsp;m) and can be described as having the same elevation as the Bandung Depression Zone in West Java or as a new structural element in Central Java. This section is separated from the Bogor Zone by the Majenang Depression.

The eastern part was built by the Ajibarang anticline (narrow anticline) which was cut by the [[Serayu River]] stream. In the east of Banyumas, the anticline developed into an anticlinorium with a width reaching 30&nbsp;km in the Lukulo area (south of [[Banjarnegara]]-Midangan) or often called the ''Kebumen Tinggi''. At the very eastern end of Mandala, the South Serayu Mountains are formed by the dome of the Kulonprogo Mountains (1022&nbsp;m), which is located between [[Purworejo Regency|Purworejo]] and the [[Progo River]].

The area of the south coast of Central Java also has a narrow lowland, with a width of 10–25&nbsp;km. In addition, there are South Gombong Karst Areas. Sloping hills stretch parallel to the coast, from Yogyakarta to [[Cilacap Regency|Cilacap]]. East of Yogyakarta is a limestone mountain area that extends to the southern coast of East Java.

=== Hydrology ===
[[File:Rawa Pening Central Java.jpg|thumb|[[Lake Rawa Pening]] in [[Semarang Regency]]]]
The rivers that empty into the [[Java Sea]] include the [[Solo River|Bengawan Solo River]], Kali Pemali, Kali Comal, and Kali Bodri, while the ones that empty into the Indian Ocean include [[Serayu River]], Bogowonto River, [[Luk Ulo River]] and Progo River. Bengawan Solo is the longest river on the island of Java (572&nbsp;km); has a spring in the [[Gunung Sewu Geopark|Sewu Mountains]] (Wonogiri Regency), this river flows to the north, crosses the City of [[Surakarta]], and finally goes to East Java and empties into the Gresik area (near Surabaya).

Among the main reservoirs (lakes) in Central Java are Gunung Rowo Lake ([[Pati Regency]]), [[Gajah Mungkur Dam|Gajahmungkur Reservoir]] ([[Wonogiri Regency]]), Kedungombo Reservoir ([[Boyolali Regency|Boyolali]] and [[Sragen Regency]]), [[Lake Rawa Pening|Rawa Pening Lake]] ([[Semarang Regency]]), Cacaban Reservoir ([[Tegal Regency]]), Malahayu Reservoir ([[Brebes Regency]]), Wadaslintang Reservoir (border of [[Kebumen Regency]] and [[Wonosobo Regency]]), Gembong Reservoir (Pati Regency), Sempor Reservoir ([[Kebumen Regency]]) and Mrica Reservoir ([[Banjarnegara Regency]]).

=== Climate ===
The average temperature in Central Java is between {{Convert|18-28|°C}} and the relative humidity varies between 73% and 94%.<ref name="Jateng-Profil">[http://www.jawatengah.go.id/framer.php?SUB=ttg_jateng&DATA=profil_jawa_tengah]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629031921/http://www.jawatengah.go.id/framer.php?SUB=ttg_jateng&DATA=profil_jawa_tengah|date=29 June 2006}}</ref> While the humidity is high in most low-lying parts of the province, it drops significantly in the upper mountains.<ref name="Jateng-Profil" /> The highest average annual rainfall of 3,990&nbsp;mm with 195 rainy days was recorded in [[Salatiga]].<ref name="Jateng-Profil" />

== Government and Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|List of Central Java regencies and cities}}

[[File:Central Java Province.png|thumb|Administrative map of Central Java, showing the boundaries and names of all regencies, cities and districts.]]
On the eve of the [[World War II]] in 1942, Central Java was subdivided into '''seven residencies''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''residentie'' or plural ''residenties'', [[Javanese language|Javanese]] ''karésiḍènan'' or ''karésidhènan'') which corresponded more or less with the main regions of this area. These residencies were:
{| class="wikitable col3center"
! Residency
! Containing present-day <br> Regencies and Cities
! Population <br>mid 2024<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Tengah Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.33)</ref>
|-
| ''Banjoemas''
| Cilacap, Banyumas, Purbalingga and Banjarnegara
| 5,969,680
|-
| ''[[Kedu Residency|Kedoe]]''
| Kebumen, Purworejo, Wonosobo, Magelang and Temanggung <br>plus City of Magelang
| 5,409,070
|-
| ''Gouvernement Jogjakarta''
| Kulon Progo, Bantul, Gunungkidal and Slemen <br>plus City of Yogyakarta
| 3,759,500
|-
| ''Gouvernement Soerakarta''
| Boyolali, Klaten, Sukoharjo, Wonogiri, Karanganyar and Sragen <br>plus City of Surakarta
| 6,883,160
|-
| ''Djapara-Rembang''
| Grobogan, Blora, Rembang, Pati, Kudus and Jepara
| 6,566,620
|-
| ''Semarang''
| Demak, Semarang and Kendal <br>plus Cities of Salatiga and Semarang
| 5,317,650
|-
| ''Pekalongan''
| Batang, Pekalongan, Pemalang, Tegal and Brebes <br>plus Cities of Pekalongan and Tegal
| 7,746,210
|}
The Southeastern (Solo) area (or ''Gouvernement Soerakarta'') used to be the [[Surakarta Sunanate]] until the monarchy was unrecognized by the Indonesian government. However, after the local elections in 1957, the role of these residencies were reduced in significance until they finally disappeared.<ref>Robert Cribb, ''Historical Atlas of Indonesia'' (2000:165)</ref> The only major boundary change since the creation of the province took place on 14 June 1965, when a new '''Batang Regency''' was formed from the eastern half of Pekalongan Regency.

Today, Central Java (excluding [[Special Region of Yogyakarta]], which is the former ''Gouvernement Jogjakarta'') is divided into '''29 regencies''' (''[[kabupaten]]'') and '''six cities''' (''kota'', previously ''kotamadya'' and ''kota pradja''), the latter being independent of any regency. These contemporary regencies and cities can further be subdivided into 565 [[Districts of Central Java|districts]] (''kecamatan''). These districts are further divided into {{formatnum:7804}} rural villages (''[[Village (Indonesia)|desa]]'') and 764 urban villages (''[[kelurahan]]'').<ref name="Jateng-Profil" />

=== Central Java regencies and cities ===
{{table alignment}}
{|class="wikitable sortable col1center col2center col8right col9right col10right col11right col12right" style="font-size:95%"
! colspan=2| Code
! rowspan=2| Coat of arms
! colspan=3| Name
! rowspan=2| Capital
! rowspan=2| Area <br>{{small|(km<sup>2</sup>)}}<ref name="kmdn100.1.1-6117_2022">{{Cite web|title=Keputusan Menteri Dalam Negeri Nomor 100.1.1-6117 Tahun 2022 tentang Pemberian dan Pemutakhiran Kode, Data Wilayah Administrasi Pemerintahan, dan Pulau|url=https://api-e-database.kemendagri.go.id/uploads/foto/1715587369092.pdf|website=Kementerian Dalam Negeri|access-date=2025-01-21}}</ref>
! rowspan=2| Population <br>{{small|(mid 2024)}}<ref name="satudatakemendagri2024">{{Cite web|date=2024-12-19|title=Agregat Jumlah Penduduk per Kabupaten/Kota Tahun 2024|url=https://e-database.kemendagri.go.id/kemendagri/dataset/1490/tabel-data|website=Satu Data Pemerintahan Dalam Negeri|access-date=2025-01-21}}</ref>
! Level 3
! colspan=2| Level 4
! rowspan=2| Location map
|-
! #<br>{{code|33.}}
! {{abbr|SNI|Kode SNI 7657:2023}}
! {{small|English}}
! {{small|[[Bahasa Indonesia]]}}
! {{small|[[Javanese language|Javanese]] ([[Javanese script|Hanacaraka]])}}
! {{abbr|Dis.|District}}
! {{abbr|UV|Urban village}}
! {{abbr|RV|Rural village}}
|-
| {{code|01}}
| {{code|CLP}}
| [[File:Seal of Cilacap Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Cilacap Regency]]
| Kabupaten Cilacap
| ꦕꦶꦭꦕꦥ꧀
| [[Cilacap Regency#Cilacap Town|Cilacap]]
| 2,323.93
| 2,059,748
| [[Cilacap Regency#Administrative Districts|24]]
| [[Cilacap Regency#Administrative Districts|15]]
| [[Cilacap Regency#Administrative Districts|269]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_cilacap.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|02}}
| {{code|PWT}}
| [[File:Emblem of Banyumas Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Banyumas Regency]]
| Kabupaten Banyumas
| ꦧꦚꦸꦩꦱ꧀
| [[Purwokerto]]
| 1,391.15
| 1,868,446
| [[Banyumas Regency#Administrative districts|27]]
| [[Banyumas Regency#Administrative districts|30]]
| [[Banyumas Regency#Administrative districts|301]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_banyumas.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|03}}
| {{code|PBG}}
| [[File:Seal of Purbalingga Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Purbalingga Regency]]
| Kabupaten Purbalingga
| ꦥꦸꦂꦧꦭꦶꦁꦒ
| [[Purbalingga]]
| 805.76 
| 1,057,750
| [[Purbalingga Regency#Administrative districts|18]]
| [[Purbalingga Regency#Administrative districts|15]]
| [[Purbalingga Regency#Administrative districts|224]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_purbalingga.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|04}}
| {{code|BNR}}
| [[File:Seal of Banjarnegara Regency (2022).svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Banjarnegara Regency]]
| Kabupaten Banjarnegara
| ꦧꦚ꧀ꦗꦂꦤꦼꦒꦫ
| [[Banjarnegara]]
| 1,144.90
| 1,071,977
| [[Banjarnegara Regency#Administrative districts|20]]
| [[Banjarnegara Regency#Administrative districts|12]]
| [[Banjarnegara Regency#Administrative districts|266]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_banjarnegara.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|05}}
| {{code|KBM}}
| [[File:Seal of Kebumen Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Kebumen Regency]]
| Kabupaten Kebumen
| ꦏꦼꦧꦸꦩꦺꦤ꧀
| [[Kebumen (town)|Kebumen]]
| 1,334.10 
| 1,446,833 
| [[Kebumen Regency#Administrative districts|26]]
| [[Kebumen Regency#Administrative districts|11]]
| [[Kebumen Regency#Administrative districts|449]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_kebumen.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|06}}
| {{code|PWR}}
| [[File:Seal of Purworejo Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Purworejo Regency]]
| Kabupaten Purworejo
| ꦥꦸꦂꦮꦉꦗ
| [[Purworejo, Purworejo|Purworejo]]
| 1,081.97 
| 809,651 
| [[Purworejo#Administrative districts|16]]
| [[Purworejo#Administrative districts|25]]
| [[Purworejo#Administrative districts|469]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_purworejo.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|07}}
| {{code|WSB}}
| [[File:Seal of Wonosobo Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Wonosobo Regency]]
| Kabupaten Wonosobo
| ꦮꦤꦱꦧ
| [[Wonosobo (town)|Wonosobo]]
| 1,011.62 
| 945,955
| [[Wonosobo#Administrative districts|15]]
| [[Wonosobo#Administrative districts|29]]
| [[Wonosobo#Administrative districts|236]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_wonosobo.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|08}}
| {{code|MKD}}
| [[File:Seal of Magelang Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Magelang Regency]]
| Kabupaten Magelang
| ꦩꦒꦼꦭꦁ
| [[Mungkid]]
| 1,129.98 
| 1,345,662
| [[Magelang Regency#Administrative districts|21]]
| [[Magelang Regency#Administrative districts|5]]
| [[Magelang Regency#Administrative districts|367]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_magelang.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|09}}
| {{code|BYL}}
| [[File:Seal of Boyolali Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Boyolali Regency]]
| Kabupaten Boyolali
| ꦧꦺꦴꦪꦭꦭꦶ
| [[Boyolali Regency|Boyolali]]
| 1,096.59 
| 1,114,070
| [[Boyolali Regency#Administrative districts|22]]
| [[Boyolali Regency#Administrative districts|6]]
| [[Boyolali Regency#Administrative districts|261]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_boyolali.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|10}}
| {{code|KLN}}
| [[File:Seal of Klaten Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Klaten Regency]]
| Kabupaten Klaten
| ꦏ꧀ꦭꦛꦺꦤ꧀
| [[Klaten Regency#Klaten town|Klaten]]
| 701.50
| 1,302,648
| [[Klaten Regency#Administrative districts|26]]
| [[Klaten Regency#Administrative districts|10]]
| [[Klaten Regency#Administrative districts|391]]
| [[File:Locator_Kabupaten_Klaten.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|11}}
| {{code|SKH}}
| [[File:Seal of Sukoharjo Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Sukoharjo Regency]]
| Kabupaten Sukoharjo
| ꦱꦸꦏꦲꦂꦗ
| [[Sukoharjo]]
| 493.53 
| 916,472
| [[Sukoharjo Regency#Administrative districts|12]]
| [[Sukoharjo Regency#Administrative districts|17]]
| [[Sukoharjo Regency#Administrative districts|150]]
| [[File:Locator_Kabupaten_Sukoharjo.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|12}}
| {{code|WNG}}
| [[File:Seal of Wonogiri Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Wonogiri Regency]]
| Kabupaten Wonogiri
| ꦮꦤꦒꦶꦫꦶ
| [[Wonogiri]]
| 1,905.75 
| 1,057,495
| [[Wonogiri Regency#Administrative districts|25]]
| [[Wonogiri Regency#Administrative districts|43]]
| [[Wonogiri Regency#Administrative districts|251]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_wonogiri.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|13}}
| {{code|KRG}}
| [[File:Seal of Karanganyar Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Karanganyar Regency]]
| Kabupaten Karanganyar
| ꦏꦫꦔꦚꦂ
| [[Karanganyar, Karanganyar|Karanganyar]]
| 803.05 
| 953,696
| [[Karanganyar Regency#Administrative districts|17]]
| [[Karanganyar Regency#Administrative districts|15]]
| [[Karanganyar Regency#Administrative districts|162]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_karanganyar.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|14}}
| {{code|SGN}}
| [[File:Seal of Sragen Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Sragen Regency]]
| Kabupaten Sragen
| ꦯꦿꦒꦺꦤ꧀
| [[Sragen Regency#Sragen town|Sragen]]
| 994.57 
| 1,023,538
| [[Sragen Regency#Administrative districts|20]]
| [[Sragen Regency#Administrative districts|12]]
| [[Sragen Regency#Administrative districts|196]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_sragen.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|15}}
| {{code|PWD}}
| [[File:Coat of arms of Grobogan Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Grobogan Regency]]
| Kabupaten Grobogan
| ꦒꦿꦺꦴꦧꦺꦴꦒꦤ꧀
| [[Purwodadi, Grobogan|Purwodadi]]
| 2,023.85 
| 1,520,974
| [[Grobogan Regency#Administrative districts|19]]
| [[Grobogan Regency#Administrative districts|7]]
| [[Grobogan Regency#Administrative districts|273]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_grobogan.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|16}}
| {{code|BLA}}
| [[File:Seal of Blora Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Blora Regency]]
| Kabupaten Blora
| ꦨ꧀ꦭꦺꦴꦫ
| [[Blora, Blora|Blora]]
| 1,957.29
| 927,961
| [[Blora Regency#Administrative districts|16]]
| [[Blora Regency#Administrative districts|24]]
| [[Blora Regency#Administrative districts|271]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_blora.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|17}}
| {{code|RBG}}
| [[File:Seal of Rembang Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Rembang Regency]]
| Kabupaten Rembang
| ꦉꦩ꧀ꦧꦁ
| [[Rembang]]
| 1,037.54 
| 665,501
| [[Rembang Regency#Administrative districts|14]]
| [[Rembang Regency#Administrative districts|7]]
| [[Rembang Regency#Administrative districts|287]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_rembang.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|18}}
| {{code|PTI}}
| [[File:Seal of Pati Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Pati Regency]]
| Kabupaten Pati
| ꦥꦛꦶ
| [[Pati, Pati|Pati]]
| 1,572.90 
| 1,385,904
| [[Pati Regency#Administrative districts|21]]
| [[Pati Regency#Administrative districts|5]]
| [[Pati Regency#Administrative districts|401]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_pati.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|19}}
| {{code|KDS}}
| [[File:Seal of Kudus Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Kudus Regency]]
| Kabupaten Kudus
| ꦏꦸꦢꦸꦱ꧀ 
| [[Kudus, Kudus|Kudus]]
| 447.45 
| 877,821
| [[Kudus Regency#Administrative districts|9]]
| [[Kudus Regency#Administrative districts|9]]
| [[Kudus Regency#Administrative districts|123]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_kudus.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|20}}
| {{code|JPA}}
| [[File:Seal of Jepara Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Jepara Regency]]
| Kabupaten Jepara
| ꦗꦼꦥꦫ
| [[Jepara]]
| 1,020.25 
| 1,283,687
| [[Jepara Regency#Administrative districts|16]]
| [[Jepara Regency#Administrative districts|11]]
| [[Jepara Regency#Administrative districts|184]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_jepara.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|21}}
| {{code|DMK}}
| [[File:Seal of Demak Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Demak Regency]]
| Kabupaten Demak
| ꦢꦼꦩꦏ꧀
| [[Demak, Demak|Demak]]
| 977.77 
| 1,254,204 
| [[Demak Regency#Administrative districts|14]]
| [[Demak Regency#Administrative districts|6]]
| [[Demak Regency#Administrative districts|243]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_demak.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|22}}
| {{code|UNR}}
| [[File:Seal of Semarang Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Semarang Regency]]
| Kabupaten Semarang
| ꦱꦼꦩꦫꦁ
| [[Ungaran]]
| 1,019.27 
| 1,088,729
| [[Semarang Regency#Administrative districts|19]]
| [[Semarang Regency#Administrative districts|27]]
| [[Semarang Regency#Administrative districts|208]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_semarang.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|23}}
| {{code|TMG}}
| [[File:Seal of Temanggung Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Temanggung Regency]]
| Kabupaten Temanggung
| ꦠꦼꦩꦔ꧀ꦒꦸꦁ
| [[Temanggung]]
| 864.83 
| 822,880
| [[Temanggung Regency#Administrative districts|20]]
| [[Temanggung Regency#Administrative districts|23]]
| [[Temanggung Regency#Administrative districts|266]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_temanggung.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|24}}
| {{code|KDL}}
| [[File:Emblem of Kendal Regency (2011).svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Kendal Regency]]
| Kabupaten Kendal
| ꦏꦼꦟ꧀ꦝꦭ꧀
| [[Kendal, Kendal|Kendal]]
| 1,008.12 
| 1,094,214
| [[Kendal Regency#Administrative districts|20]]
| [[Kendal Regency#Administrative districts|20]]
| [[Kendal Regency#Administrative districts|266]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_kendal.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|25}}
| {{code|BTG}}
| [[File:Seal of Batang Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Batang Regency]]
| Kabupaten Batang
| ꦨꦠꦁ
| [[Batang, Batang|Batang]]
| 857.27 
| 855,878
| [[Batang Regency#Administrative districts|15]]
| [[Batang Regency#Administrative districts|9]]
| [[Batang Regency#Administrative districts|239]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_batang.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|26}}
| {{code|KJN}}
| [[File:Coat of arms of Pekalongan Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Pekalongan Regency]]
| Kabupaten Pekalongan
| ꦥꦏꦭꦺꦴꦔꦤ꧀
| [[Kajen]]
| 892.91 
| 1,034,241
| [[Pekalongan Regency#Administrative districts|19]]
| [[Pekalongan Regency#Administrative districts|13]]
| [[Pekalongan Regency#Administrative districts|272]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_pekalongan.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|27}}
| {{code|PML}}
| [[File:Seal of Pemalang Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Pemalang Regency]]
| Kabupaten Pemalang
| ꦥꦼꦩꦭꦁ
| [[Pemalang]]
| 1.137.41 
| 1,601,007
| [[Pemalang Regency#Administrative districts|14]]
| [[Pemalang Regency#Administrative districts|12]]
| [[Pemalang Regency#Administrative districts|212]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_pemalang.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|28}}
| {{code|SLW}}
| [[File:Shield of Tegal Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Tegal Regency]]
| Kabupaten Tegal
| ꦠꦼꦒꦭ꧀
| [[Slawi]]
| 983.90 
| 1,745,278
| [[Tegal|18]]
| [[Tegal Regency#Admnistrative districts|6]]
| [[Tegal Regency#Admnistrative districts|281]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_tegal.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|29}}
| {{code|BBS}}
| [[File:Seal of Brebes Regency.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Brebes|Brebes Regency]]
| Kabupaten Brebes
| ꦧꦽꦧꦼꦱ꧀
| [[Brebes, Brebes|Brebes]]
| 1,742.81
| 2,066,426
| [[Brebes#Admnistrative districts|17]]
| [[Brebes#Admnistrative districts|5]]
| [[Brebes#Admnistrative districts|292]]
| [[File:Locator_kabupaten_brebes.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|71}}
| {{code|MGG}}
| [[File:Seal of the City of Magelang.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Magelang|Magelang City]]
| Kota Magelang
| ꦩꦒꦼꦭꦁ
| {{n/a}}
| 18.56 
| 128,709
| [[Magelang#Administrative districts|3]]
| [[Magelang#Administrative districts|17]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator_kota_magelang.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|72}}
| {{code|SKT}}
| [[File:Seal of the City of Surakarta.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Surakarta|Surakarta City]]
| Kota Surakarta
| ꦯꦸꦫꦏꦂꦡ
| {{n/a}}
| 46.72 
| 589,242
| [[Surakarta#Admnistrative districts|5]]
| [[Surakarta#Admnistrative districts|51]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator kota surakarta.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|73}}
| {{code|SLT}}
| [[File:Seal of the City of Salatiga.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Salatiga|Salatiga City]]
| Kota Salatiga
| ꦯꦭꦠꦶꦒ
| {{n/a}}
| 54.98 
| 198,971
| [[Salatiga#Admnistrative districts|4]]
| [[Salatiga#Admnistrative districts|23]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator_kota_salatiga.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|74}}
| {{code|SMG}}
| [[File:Seal of the City of Semarang.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Semarang|Semarang City]]
| Kota Semarang
| ꦯꦼꦩꦫꦁ
| {{n/a}}
| 370.00 
| 1,702,379
| [[Semarang#Admnistrative districts|16]]
| [[Semarang#Admnistrative districts|177]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator_kota_semarang.png|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|75}}
| {{code|PKL}}
| [[File:Coat of arms of the City of Pekalongan.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Pekalongan|Pekalongan City]]
| Kota Pekalongan
| ꦥꦏꦭꦺꦴꦔꦤ꧀
| {{n/a}}
| 46.20 
| 318,221
| [[Pekalongan#Admnistrative districts|4]]
| [[Pekalongan#Admnistrative districts|27]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator_kota_pekalongan.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|-
| {{code|76}}
| {{code|TGL}}
| [[File:Shield of the city of Tegal.svg|pus|50px]]
| [[Tegal|Tegal City]]
| Kota Tegal
| ꦠꦼꦒꦭ꧀
| {{n/a}}
| 39.08 
| 294,477
| [[Tegal#Admnistrative districts|4]]
| [[Tegal#Admnistrative districts|27]]
| {{n/a}}
| [[File:Locator_kota_tegal.gif|alt=|pus|150x150px]]
|}

Note: The regencies now appear in the formal order prescribed by the Indonesian Central Statistics Board (''Badan Pusat Statistik''), as indicated by the regional codes (''Kode Wilayah'').
{{Notelist}}

=== Central Java electoral districts ===
{{Main|List of Indonesian national electoral districts}}

The province comprises 10 of Indonesia's 84 national electoral districts to elect members to the [[House of Representatives (Indonesia)|House of Representatives]].<ref>Law No. 7/2017 (''UU No. 7 Tahun 2017'') as amended by Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 1/2022 and Regulation of General Elections Commission No. 6/2023.</ref> The province's 77 elected members are comprised as follows:
{{table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable col3center"
! Electoral District
! Regency and City
! No of seats
|-
| '''Central Java I'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Semarang Regency]]|[[Kendal Regency]]|[[Salatiga|Salatiga City]]|[[Semarang|Semarang City]]}}
| 8
|-
| '''Central Java II'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Kudus Regency]]|[[Demak Regency]]|[[Jepara Regency]]}}
| 7
|-
| '''Central Java III'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Grobogan Regency]]|[[Blora Regency]]|[[Rembang Regency]]|[[Pati Regency]]}}
| 9
|-
| '''Central Java IV'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Wonogiri Regency]]|[[Karanganyar Regency]]|[[Sragen Regency]]}}
| 7
|-
| '''Central Java V'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Boyolali Regency]]|[[Klaten Regency]]|[[Sukoharjo Regency]]|[[Surakarta|Surakarta City]]}}
| 8
|-
| '''Central Java VI'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Purworejo Regency]]|[[Wonosobo Regency]]|[[Magelang Regency]]|[[Temanggung Regency]]|[[Magelang|Magelang City]]}}
| 8
|-
| '''Central Java VII'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Purbalingga Regency]]|[[Banjarnegara Regency]]|[[Kebumen Regency]]}}
| 7
|-
| '''Central Java VIII'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Cilacap Regency]]|[[Banyumas Regency]]}}
| 8
|-
| '''Central Java IX'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Brebes Regency]]|[[Tegal Regency]]|[[Tegal|Tegal City]]}}
| 8
|-
| '''Central Java X'''
| {{bulleted list|[[Batang Regency]]|[[Pekalongan Regency]]|[[Pemalang Regency]]|[[Pekalongan|Pekalongan City]]}}
| 7
|}

== Demographics ==
As of the 2010 census, Central Java's population stood at 32.38 million, barely increasing from 2000, compared with the 1990 census when the population was 28 million.<ref>''Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia'' (1997:1249)</ref> This reflected an increase of approximately 13.5% in 20 years. At the 2020 Census the population was 36,516,035, and the official estimate for mid 2024 was 37,892,280.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Jawa Tengah Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.33)</ref>  Birthrates had not plunged between 2000 and 2010, instead losses due to domestic outmigration on 2010 figures, reversed themselves in 2020 with pandemic ''back to kampung'' influence.

The three biggest regencies in terms of population are: [[Brebes Regency|Brebes]], [[Cilacap Regency|Cilacap]] and [[Banyumas Regency|Banyumas]]. Together they make up approximately 16% of the province's population. Major urban population centres include Greater [[Semarang]], Greater [[Surakarta]] and the [[Brebes]]-[[Tegal Regency|Tegal]]-[[Slawi]] area in the northwest of the province.

===Religion===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Religions !! Total 
|-
| [[Islam]] || 37,273,804
|-
| [[Protestant]] || 593,139
|-
| [[Roman Catholic]] || 342,347
|-
| [[Buddhism]] || 49,987
|-
| [[Hinduism]] || 14,045
|-
| [[Kejawen]] || 6,262
|-
| [[Confucianism]] || 1,303
|-
| '''Overall''' || '''38,280,887''' 
|}<ref name="ArcGIS Web Application">{{cite web | url=https://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | title=ArcGIS Web Application | access-date=14 October 2022 | archive-date=5 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705211227/http://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Central Java (June 2024)<ref name="ArcGIS Web Application">{{cite web | url=https://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | title=ArcGIS Web Application | access-date=14 October 2022 | archive-date=5 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705211227/http://gis.dukcapil.kemendagri.go.id/peta/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 97.37
|color1 = DarkGreen
|label2 = [[Protestantism]]
|value2 = 1.55
|color2 = DarkBlue
|label3 = [[Roman Catholic]]
|value3 = 0.89
|color3 = Purple 
|label4 = [[Buddhism]]
|value4 = 0.13
|color4 = Gold
|label5 = [[Hinduism]]
|value5 = 0.036
|color5 = DarkOrange
|label6 = [[Kejawen]]
|value6 = 0.016
|color6 = Black
|label7 = [[Confucianism]]
|value7 = 0.003
|color7 = Red

}}

{{See also|Religion in Indonesia|Hinduism in Java}}
Although the overwhelming majority of Javanese are Muslims, many also profess [[Javanese beliefs|indigenous Javanese beliefs]]. [[Clifford Geertz]], in his book about the religion of Java, made a distinction between the so-called ''[[santri]]'' Javanese and ''[[abangan]]'' Javanese.<ref>Clifford Geertz, ''The Religion of Java'' (1976:121–131), paperback edition</ref> He considered the former as orthodox Muslims and the latter as nominal Muslims that devote more energy to indigenous traditions.

Dutch Protestants were active in missionary activities and were rather successful. The Dutch Catholic [[Jesuit]] missionary, [[Franciscus Georgius Josephus van Lith|F.G.C. van Lith]] also achieved some success, especially in areas around the central-southern parts of Central Java and Yogyakarta at the beginning of the 20th century,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0312/27/natal/768772.htm|title =  Van Lith dan Muntilan "Bethlehem van Java" |work = Kompas |language = id |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619142551/http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0312/27/natal/768772.htm |archive-date=19 June 2006 }}</ref> and is buried at the Jesuit necropolis at [[Muntilan]].

Following the [[Transition to the New Order|upheavals]] in 1965–66, religious identification of citizens became compulsory, and there has been a renaissance of Buddhism and Hinduism since then. As one has to choose a religion out of the five official religions in Indonesia; i.e. Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the latter two became alternatives for people who did not want to be Muslims or Christians. [[Confucianism]] is also common among Chinese Indonesians. In the [[post-Suharto era]], it is recognised as an official religion along with the aforementioned five.
<br />
<gallery>
File:Masjid Agung Demak.jpg|The [[Demak Great Mosque]], built in the 15th century.
File:Masjid Menara Kudus.jpg|[[Menara Kudus Mosque]], one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia.
File:Exterior of Blenduk Church, Semarang, 2014-06-18.jpg|[[Blenduk Church]], [[Semarang]]. Built in 1753, it is the oldest church in the province.
File:Sam Poo Kong Temple 2011 (2).jpg|[[Sam Poo Kong]] [[Chinese temple architecture|Chinese Temple]], in [[Semarang]]
File:Patung Buddha di Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, Semarang.jpg|Statue of Buddha Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, Semarang
</gallery>

=== Ethnicity ===
{{See also|Javanese people}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnic Groups in Central Java<ref name=census2010>{{Cite web |url=http://demografi.bps.go.id/phpfiletree/bahan/kumpulan_tugas_mobilitas_pak_chotib/Kelompok_1/Referensi/BPS_kewarganegaraan_sukubangsa_agama_bahasa_2010.pdf |title=Kewarganegaraan, Suku Bangsa, Agama, Bahasa, 2010 (PDF) |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712140438/http://demografi.bps.go.id/phpfiletree/bahan/kumpulan_tugas_mobilitas_pak_chotib/Kelompok_1/Referensi/BPS_kewarganegaraan_sukubangsa_agama_bahasa_2010.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Javanese people|Javanese]]
|value1 = 97.73
|color1 = Violet
|label2 = [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]]
|value2 = 1.4
|color2 = Green
|label3 = [[Chinese Indonesians|Chinese]]
|value3 = 0.43
|color3 = Red
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 0.44
|color4 = Black
}}
At approximately 98%, [[Javanese people]] form the overwhelming majority of the population, and a minority of the [[Sundanese people]].<ref name="Ethnic-Java">{{cite book|title=Indonesia's Population: Ethnicity and Religion in a Changing Political Landscape|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|year=2003}}</ref> Central Java is known as the centre of Javanese culture. The cities of Surakarta and Yogyakarta are the centres of the Javanese royal palace that still stands today.

Significant minority ethnic groups include the [[Chinese Indonesians]]. They usually reside in urban areas, although they are also found in rural areas. In general, they primarily work in trade and services. Many speak the Javanese language with sufficient fluency as they have lived alongside the Javanese. One can feel the strong influence in Semarang and the town of Lasem in [[Rembang Regency]], which is on the northeastern tip of Central Java. Even Lasem is nicknamed ''Le petit chinois'' or the Small Chinese City. The urban areas that are densely populated by [[Chinese Indonesians]] are called ''[[pecinan]]'', which means "[[Chinatown]]". Additionally, in several major cities, the [[Arab Indonesians|Arab-Indonesian]] community can also be found. Similar to the Chinese community, they are usually engaged in trade and services.

In areas bordering the province of West Java, there are Sundanese people and Sundanese culture, especially in the Cilacap, Brebes, and Banyumas regions.  Sundanese toponyms are common in these regions such as [[Dayeuhluhur]] in Cilacap, Ciputih and Citimbang in Brebes and even Cilongok as far away in Banyumas.<ref>Sundanese toponyms often begins with the [[morpheme]] ''ci-'', which means "river" or "water" {{cite web|url=http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/Indonesia_Names_Standardization_Policy1.0.pdf|title=Archived copy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614232851/http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/Indonesia_Names_Standardization_Policy1.0.pdf|archive-date=14 June 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=26 April 2007}}. ''Dayeuh'' is a Sundanese word which means ''region'', q.v. F.S. Eringa ''Soendaas-Nederlands woordenboek'' (1984)</ref> In the interior of [[Blora Regency|Blora]], which borders East Java, there is an isolated [[Saminism Movement|Samin community]], the case of which is almost the same as the [[Baduy people]] in [[Banten]].<!--One of the popular Pecinan in Central Java is Jalan Pemuda and its surrounding in [[Magelang]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}-->

=== Language ===
{{See also|Javanese language}}
[[File:Java languages.JPG|thumb|Languages of Java]]

Although [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] is the official language, people mostly speak [[Javanese language|Javanese]] as their daily language. The Solo-Jogja dialect or the Mataram dialect is considered as the standard Javanese Language.

Additionally, there are a number of Javanese dialects but in general, it consists of two, namely ''kulonan'' and ''timuran''. The former is spoken in the western part of Central Java, consisting of the Banyumasan dialects and Tegal dialects (also called ''Basa Ngapak)''. They are quite different in pronunciation from the standard Javanese. The latter dialect is spoken in the eastern part of the province, including the Mataram dialect (Solo-Jogja), Semarang dialect, and the Pati dialect. Between the borders of the two dialects, Javanese is spoken with a mixture of both dialects; these areas are [[Pekalongan Regency|Pekalongan]] and the [[Kedu Plain]], which composes [[Magelang Regency|Magelang]] and [[Temanggung Regency|Temanggung]].

===Sundanese language===
{{See also|Brebes Sundanese language}}

Some parts of the districts of [[Brebes Regency|Brebes]] and [[Cilacap Regency|Cilacap]] speak [[Sundanese language|Sundanese]], the western part of Central Java is the border between the Javanese people and [[Sundanese people]] worlds in the western of Java.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Priyadi|first=Sugeng|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=13YLAQAAMAAJ&q=sejarah+sunda|title=Banyumas, antara Jawa dan Sunda|date=2002|publisher=Penerbit Mimbar|isbn=9789759036188 |language=id}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{See also|Javanese culture}}
Central Java is considered to be the heart of the Javanese culture. The ideal conduct and moral of the courts (such as politeness, nobility and grace) has a tremendous influence on the people. They are known as soft-spoken, very polite, extremely class-conscious, apathetic, down-to-earth, etc. These stereotypes form what most non-Javanese see as the "Javanese Culture", when in fact, not all [[Javanese people|Javanese]] behave in such manner as most Javanese are far from the court culture.<ref name = hatley>Hatley, R., Schiller, J., Lucas, A., Martin-Schiller, B., (1984). "Mapping cultural regions of Java" in: Other Javas away from the kraton. pp. 1–32.</ref>

=== Mapping the Javanese cultures ===
The Javanese cultural area can be divided into three distinct main regions: Western, Central, and Eastern Javanese culture or in their Javanese names as ''Ngapak'', ''Kejawèn'' and ''Arèk''. The boundaries of these cultural regions coincide with the [[isogloss]]es of the Javanese dialects. Cultural areas west of [[Dieng Plateau]], [[Pekalongan Regency|Pekalongan]], and [[Kebumen Regency|Kebumen]] regencies are considered ''Ngapak'' whereas the border of the eastern cultural areas or ''Arèk'' lies in [[East Java]]. Consequently, culturally, Central Java consists of two cultures, while the Central Javanese Culture proper is not entirely confined to Central Java.<ref name=hatley />

=== Creative arts ===
==== Architecture ====
[[File:Gereja Ayam (34189927894).png|thumb|The [[Gereja Ayam|Chicken Church]] is a unique building that was used as a filming location for the film [[Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2|AADC 2]]]]
The architecture of Central Java is characterised by the juxtaposition of the old and the new and a wide variety of architectural styles, the legacy of many successive influences from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, China, and Europe. In particular, northern coastal cities such as Semarang, Tegal, and Pekalongan can boast European colonial architecture. The European and Chinese influence can be seen in Semarang's temple of [[Sam Poo Kong]] dedicated to [[Zheng He]] and the Domed Church built in 1753. The latter is the second-oldest church in Java and the oldest in Central Java. In the former capital of Surakarta, there are also several European architectures.

Central Java also has some notable religious buildings. The [[Borobudur]] and the [[Prambanan]] temple complexes are among the largest Buddhist and Hindu structures in the world. In general, a characteristic Javanese mosque does not have a dome as its roof but a ''[[Mount Meru (mythology)|Meru]]''-like roof which is reminiscent of a Hindu or Buddhist temple. The tower of the famous Mosque of Kudus resembles a Hindu-Javanese or Balinese temple more than a traditional Middle Eastern mosque.

==== Batik ====
[[File:Batik Lasem Tulis.jpg|thumb|''[[Batik]] Lasem,'' incorporating both Javanese and Chinese influence]]
Central Java is famous and well known for its exquisite ''[[batik]]'', a generic [[Resist dyeing|wax-resist]] [[dye]]ing technique used on [[textile]]s. There are different styles of batik motifs. A centre of batik production is in [[Pekalongan]]. Other centres include [[Surakarta]] and [[Yogyakarta]]. ''Batik'' in Pekalongan style, which represent ''gaya pesisir'' (or coastal style), is different from the one in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that represent ''batik'' from the heartland of Java (''gaya kejawèn'').<ref>Ron Hatley, ''Mapping the Javanese cultures'' (1984:10–11)</ref>

==== Dance ====
[[File:Ramawijaya dan Shinta di Sendratari Ramayana.jpg|thumb|170px|Javanese dancers performing the [[Ramayana]] epic]]
One can even see the court influences in the art forms. The dances of the courts of Java are usually slow and graceful with no excessive gestures. The people followed this approach, and as a result, slow-paced and graceful movements can even be found in folk dances throughout Central Java, though with some exceptions. One can enjoy the beauty of Central Javanese dances in "Kamajaya-Kamaratih" or "Karonsih", usually performed in a traditional Javanese wedding.

==== Theatre ====
There are several kinds of Central Javanese theatre and performing arts. The most well-known is the Javanese ''[[wayang]]'' theatre, which has several types. These are ''[[wayang kulit]]'', ''[[wayang#Wayang klitik|wayang klitik]]'', ''[[wayang beber]]'', ''[[wayang golek]]'', and ''[[wayang wong]]''. ''Wayang kulit'' are shadow puppets theatre with leather puppets. The stories are loosely based on the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]'' cycles. ''Wayang klitik'' are puppets theatre with flat wooden puppets. The stories are based on [[Panji tales|Panji]] stories. Panji was a native Javanese princes who embarked a 'journeys of desire'.<ref>{{cite book|first =Adrian|last= Vickers|title = Journeys of Desire: A Study of the Balinese Text Malat|date = 2005|location = Leiden|publisher = KITLV|isbn = 9789067181372}}</ref> ''Wayang beber'' is scroll theatre, and it involves "performing" scenes of a story elaborately drawn and painted on rolled sheets. ''Wayang golek'' consists of three-dimensional wooden puppets. The narrative can be based on anything, but usually are drawn from Islamic heroic ones. Finally, ''wayang wong'' is ''wayang'' theatre involving live figures, actors who are performing a play. The narrative, however, must be based on the ''Mahabharata'' or the ''Ramayana''.

In addition to ''wayang'', there is another form of theatre called ''[[ketoprak]]''. It is a staged play by actors accompanied by Javanese ''[[gamelan]]''. The narrative is free but cannot be based on Mahabharata or Ramayana.

==== Music ====
[[File:Javanese Gamelan.jpg|thumb|Javanese gamelan ensemble performance during traditional Javanese style wedding ceremony]]

Central Javanese music is almost synonymous with ''[[gamelan]]''. It is a musical ensemble typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together. Instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable. However, gamelan is not typically Central Javanese as it is also known elsewhere.

Contemporary Javanese pop music is called ''[[campursari]]''. It is a fusion between gamelan and Western instruments, much like ''[[kroncong]]''. Usually, the lyrics are in Javanese, though not always. One notable singer is [[Didi Kempot]], born in [[Sragen Regency|Sragen]], north of Surakarta. He mostly sings in Javanese.

==== Literature ====
It can be argued that Javanese literature started in Central Java. The oldest-known literary work in the [[Javanese language]] is the [[inscription of Sivagrha]] from [[Kedu Plain]]. This inscription, which is from 856 AD, is written as a ''[[kakawin]]'' or Javanese poetry with Indian metres.<ref>De Casparis, "A Metrical Old Javanese Inscription Dated 865 A.D." in ''Prasasti Indonesia II'' (1956:280–330)</ref> The oldest of narrative poems, ''[[Kakawin Ramayana]]'', which tells the well-known story of [[Ramayana]], is believed to have come from Central Java. It can be safely assumed that this ''kakawin'' were written in the central Java region in the 9th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zoetmulder|first = Petrus Josephus|title = Kalangwan: a survey of old Javanese literature |date =1974|page =231|publisher = Martinus Nijhoff}}</ref>

After the shift of Javanese power to eastern Java, it had been quiet from Central Java for several centuries concerning Javanese literature until the 16th century. At this time, the centre of power was shifted back to Central Java. The oldest work written in modern Javanese language concerning Islam is the so-called "Book of Bonang" or also "The Admonitions of Seh Bari". This work is extant in just one manuscript, now kept in the University of Leiden as codex Orientalis 1928. It is assumed that this manuscript originates from Tuban, in eastern Java and was taken to the Netherlands after 1598.<ref>{{cite book|first =G.W.J.|last= Drewes|title = The Admonitions of Seh Bari|date =1969|pages =1–2|isbn = 978-90-04-24793-2|publisher = Brill}}</ref> However, this work is attributed to [[Sunan Bonang]], one of the [[Wali Sanga|nine Javanese saints]] who spread Islam in Java and Sunan Bonang came from Bonang, a place in [[Demak Regency]], Central Java. It can be argued that this work marked the beginning of Islamic literature in the region.

However, the pinnacle of Central Javanese literature was created at the courts of the kings of Mataram in Kartasura and later in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that are mostly attributed to the Yasadipura family. The most famous member of this family is [[Rangga Warsita]] who lived in the 19th century. He is the best-known of all Javanese writers and also one of the most prolific. He is also known as ''bujangga panutup'' or "the last court poet".

Following independence, the Javanese language as a medium was pushed to the background. Still, one of the greatest contemporary Indonesian authors, [[Pramoedya Ananta Toer]] was born in 1925 in [[Blora]]. He was an author of novels, short stories, essays, polemics, and histories of his homeland and its people. A well-regarded writer in the West, his outspoken and often politically charged writings faced censorship at home. He faced extrajudicial punishment for opposing the policies of both President [[Sukarno]] and [[Suharto]]. During imprisonment and house arrest, he became a ''cause célèbre'' for advocates of freedom of expression and human rights. In his works, he writes much about life and social problems in Java.

=== Cuisine ===
Rice is the staple food of Central Java. In addition to rice, dried cassava, known locally as ''[[gaplek|gaplèk]]'', also serve as a staple food. Javanese food tends to taste sweet. Cooked and stewed vegetables, usually in coconut milk (''santen'' in Javanese) are prevalent. Raw vegetable, which is popular in West Java, is less prevalent in Central Java.

Saltwater fish, both fresh and dried are common, especially among coastal areas. Freshwater fish is not popular in Central Java, unlike in West Java, except perhaps for [[catfish]] known locally as ''lélé''. It is usually fried and served with chilli condiment (''[[sambal]]'') and raw vegetables.

Chicken, mutton and beef are common meat. Certain parts of the population also eat [[Dog meat#Indonesia|dog meat]], known by its [[euphemism]] ''daging jamu'' (literally "traditional medicine meat").

[[Tofu]] and [[tempeh|tempe]] serve as the standard replacement to fish and meat. Famous dishes in Central Java include ''[[gudeg]]'' (sweet stew of jackfruit) and ''[[sayur lodeh]]'' (vegetables cooked in coconut milk).

Besides the aforementioned tofu, there is a strong Chinese influence in numerous dishes. Some examples of Sino-Javanese food include [[noodle]]s, ''bakso'' (meatballs), ''[[lumpia]]'', ''[[soto ayam|soto]]'' etc. The widespread use of sweet soybeans sauce (''[[soy sauce|kecap manis]]'') in the Javanese cuisine can also be attributed to the Chinese influence.
<gallery>
File:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|[[Cooked rice|Nasi]] [[Gudeg]], mostly found in Yogyakarta and Surakarta
File:Nasi Liwet Solo.jpg|Nasi Liwet Solo
File:Soto Kudus nasi.JPG|Soto Kudus
File:Loenpia Gang Lombok Semarang.jpg|[[Lumpia]] Semarang
File:Tempegoreng.jpg|[[Tempeh]] Goreng
</gallery>

== Transportation ==
[[File:Semarang Solo Toll Road.JPG|thumb|[[Semarang–Solo Toll Road]]]]
Central Java is connected to the [[Trans-Java Toll Road]] which currently runs from [[Merak, Banten|Merak]] in [[Banten]] to [[Probolinggo]] (planned: Banyuwangi), [[East-Java]]. Within the province the toll road starts at [[Brebes Regency|Brebes]], continuing via [[Semarang]] then turn southeast to [[Surakarta]] until east of [[Sragen Regency|Sragen]]. Along the north coast east of Semarang, the [[North Coast Road (Java)|North Coast Road]] (''Jalur Pantai Utara'' or ''Jalur Pantura'') is the main road. Losari, the Central Javanese gate at the western border on the northern coast, could be reached from [[Jakarta]] in 4 hours drive. On the southern coast, there is also a national way which run from Kroya at the Sundanese-Javanese border, through [[Yogyakarta]] to [[Surakarta]] and then to Surabaya via Kertosono in East Java. There is furthermore a direct connection from [[Tegal (city)|Tegal]] to [[Purwokerto]] and from [[Semarang]] to [[Yogyakarta]] and [[Surakarta]].

Central Java was the province that first introduced a railway line in Indonesia. The very first line began in 1873 between Semarang and Yogyakarta by a private company,<ref>Robert Cribb, ''Historical Atlas of Indonesia'' (2000:140)</ref> but this route is now no longer used. Today there are five lines in Central Java: the northern line which runs from [[Jakarta]] via [[Semarang]] to [[Surabaya]]. Then there is the southern line from Kroya through Yogyakarta and Surakarta to Surabaya. There is also a train service between Semarang and Surakarta and a service between Kroya and Cirebon. At last there is a route between Surakarta and Wonogiri. The line between Kutoarjo and Surakarta, the line from Cirebon to Purwokerto up to Kroya and the entire north coast line (since 2014) are double-track,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01/11/double-track-trans-java-line-be-operational-march.html |title=Double track for Trans-Java line to be operational in March |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119231003/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01/11/double-track-trans-java-line-be-operational-march.html |archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> while second tracks from Surakarta to Kertosono (towards Surabaya) and Purwokerto-Kroya-Kutoarjo are under construction of which the latter will be finished in 2019
.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2019/01/15/pembangunan-rel-ganda-purwokerto-kroya-mencapai-9773-persen |title=Pembangunan rel ganda Purwokerto-Kroya mencapai 97,73 persen |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=19 January 2019 |language=id |trans-title=Construction second track Purokerto-Kroya reaches 97.73% |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120043055/http://wartakota.tribunnews.com/2019/01/15/pembangunan-rel-ganda-purwokerto-kroya-mencapai-9773-persen |archive-date=20 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other lines are single-track.

On the northern coast Central Java is served by 8 harbours. The main port is Tanjung Mas in Semarang, other harbours are located in Brebes, Tegal, Pekalongan, Batang, Jepara, Juwana and Rembang. The southern coast is mainly served by the port Tanjung Intan in [[Cilacap]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Perhubungan|language = ms|url=http://www.jawatengah.go.id/framer.php?SUB=prog_pemb&SEKTOR=ekbang&DATA=ekbang_perhubungan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413132918/http://www.jawatengah.go.id/framer.php?SUB=prog_pemb&SEKTOR=ekbang&DATA=ekbang_perhubungan |archive-date=13 April 2007 }}</ref>

Finally on mainland Central Java there are five commercial airports.  There is one additional commercial airport on the Karimunjawa isles. The airports on the mainland are: [[Adisumarmo International Airport]] in Surakarta, [[Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airport]] in Semarang, [[Ngloram Airport]] in [[Cepu, Blora]], [[General Sudirman Airport]] in [[Purbalingga]] and [[Tunggul Wulung Airport]] in [[Cilacap]]. Karimunjawa is served by [[Dewadaru Airport]].
<gallery>
File:SemarangAirportTerminal.jpg| [[Ahmad Yani International Airport]] in Semarang
File:Serayu trains 141122-0126 pwk.JPG|Trains in Kroya Station, [[Cilacap Regency]]
File:Becak Solo.jpg|''[[Becak]]'' lining up in Surakarta street
File:KMP Muria Pelabuhan Karimun Jawa.jpg|Port of Karimun Jawa
</gallery>

== Economy ==
{{Pie chart
| caption=Central Java GDP share by sector (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jateng.bps.go.id/publication/2023/02/28/754e4785496c09ab1f787570/provinsi-jawa-tengah-dalam-angka-2023.html|title=Provinsi Jawa Tengah Dalam Angka 2023|publisher=Statistics Indonesia|access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref>
| label1 = Service
| value1 = 38.94
| color1 = #800080
| label2 = Manufacturing
| value2 = 33.93
| color2 = DodgerBlue
| label3 = Other Industrial
| value3 = 13.60
| color3 = Yellow
| label4 = Agriculture
| value4 = 13.53
| color4 = Green
}}

[[GDP]] in the province of Central Java was estimated to be around $US 98 billion in 2010, with a per capita income of around $US 3,300. Economic growth in the province is quite rapid and GDP is forecast to reach $US 180 billion by 2015. The poverty rate of its people is 13% and will be decreased below 6%.<ref>''[http://www.siarannasional.com/index.php/2018/02/20/sudirman-said-angka-kemiskinan-di-jawa-tengah-harus-diturunkan/;SUDIRMAN SAID : ANGKA KEMISKINAN DI JAWA TENGAH HARUS DITURUNKAN]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163723/http://www.siarannasional.com/index.php/2018/02/20/sudirman-said-angka-kemiskinan-di-jawa-tengah-harus-diturunkan/ |date=6 April 2018 }}. siaran nasional.com (diakses 20 February 2018)</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
[[File:Paddy fields in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.jpg|thumb|left|Rice fields in Weru, [[Sukoharjo Regency]]. Farming is one of the most important sector in Central Java.]]
Much of Central Java is a fertile agricultural region. The primary food crop is wet rice. An elaborate irrigation network of canals, dams, aqueducts, and reservoirs has greatly contributed to Central Java's the rice-growing capacity over the centuries. In 2001, productivity of rice was 5,022 kilograms/ha, mostly provided from irrigated paddy field (± 98%). [[Klaten Regency]] had the highest productivity with 5525 kilograms/ha.<ref name="KBRI-BKK">[http://www.kbri-bangkok.com/about_indonesia/province_jawa_tengah/province_central_java_01.html]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305210236/http://www.kbri-bangkok.com/about_indonesia/province_jawa_tengah/province_central_java_01.html|date=5 March 2007}}</ref>

Other crops, also mostly grown in lowland areas on small peasant landholdings, are corn (maize), cassava, peanuts (groundnuts), soybeans, and sweet potatoes. Terraced hillslopes and irrigated [[paddy field]]s are familiar features of the landscape. Kapok, sesame, vegetables, bananas, mangoes, durian fruits, citrus fruits, and vegetable oils are produced for local consumption. Tea, coffee, tobacco, rubber, sugarcane and kapok; and coconuts are exported. Several of these cash crops at a time are usually grown on large family estates. Livestock, especially water buffalo, is raised primarily for use as draft animals. Salted and dried fish are imported.<ref name="KBRI-BKK" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-3682 |title=Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=10 December 2013}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{Multiple image
| align = 
| direction = vertical
| width = 
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| header_background = 
| image1 = Widya puraya undip.jpg
| caption1 = [[Diponegoro University]]
| image2 = Sebelas Maret University entrance gate.JPG
| caption2 = [[Sebelas Maret University]]
| image3 = Unnes.jpg
| caption3 = [[State University of Semarang]]
| footer_align = center
| footer = '''Campus Building'''
| total_width = 
| alt1 = 
}}

Central Java is home to such notable state universities, which are: 
* [[Diponegoro University]]
* [[Semarang State Polytechnic]]
* [[Semarang State University]]
* [[Sebelas Maret University]] 
* [[Jenderal Soedirman University]]
* [[Walisongo State Islamic University]]
* [[Surakarta Institute of Indonesian Arts]] 
* [[Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta]]
* [[Tidar University]]

The Military Academy (''Akademi Militer'') is located in Magelang Regency while the Police Academy (''Akademi Kepolisian'') is located in Semarang.

For foreign students requiring language training Salatiga has been a location for generations of students attending courses.
<!--
The latest numbers on students all over Central Java: Elementary School ({{formatnum:4085702}}), Junior High School ({{formatnum:790020}}), High School ({{formatnum:364558}}), College and University ({{formatnum:125951}}) {{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}.
-->

== Tourism ==
[[File:Borobudur Temple Compounds-111353.jpg|thumb|[[Borobudur Temple]], located in Magelang Regency]]
[[File:Kori Kamandungan Karaton Surakarta.jpg|thumb|[[Kraton (Indonesia)|Kraton]] [[Surakarta Sunanate|Surakarta Hadiningrat]] Royal Palace of the Sultanate of Surakarta]]
There are several tourism sites in Central Java. [[Semarang]] itself has many old buildings: [[Puri Maerokoco]] and the [[Indonesian Record Museum]] are located in this city.

[[Borobudur]], which is one of the [[UNESCO World Cultural Heritage]] sites of Indonesia, is also located in this province, in the [[Magelang Regency]]. [[Candi Mendut]] and [[Pawon|Candi Pawon]] can also be found near the Borobudur temple complex.

[[Candi Prambanan]], on the border of Klaten regency and Yogyakarta is the biggest complex of Hindu temples. It is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. There are several temples in the region around the [[Dieng Plateau]]. These date from before the era of the ancient [[Medang Kingdom|Mataram]].

The Palace of the Sunan [[Surakarta Sunanate|Kraton Surakarta]] and [[Pura Mangkunegaran]], are located in [[Surakarta]], while the Grojogan Sewu waterfall is located in [[Karanganyar Regency]]. Several Majapahit temples and [[Sangiran]] museum are also located in Central Java.

== Coat of arms and symbols ==
The motto of Central Java is ''Prasetya Ulah Sakti Bhakti Praja''. This is a Javanese phrase meaning "A vow of devotion with all might to the country". The coat of arms of Central Java depicts a legendary flask, ''Kundi [[amrita|Amerta]]'' or ''Cupu Manik'', formed in a pentagon representing [[Pancasila (politics)|Pancasila]]. In the centre of the emblem stands a sharp bamboo spike (representing the fight for independence, and it has 8 sections which represent Indonesia's month of Independence) with a golden five-pointed star (representing faith in God), superimposed on the black profile of a ''[[Candi of Indonesia|candi]]'' (temple) with seven ''[[stupa]]s'', while the middle stupa is the biggest. This ''candi'' is reminiscent of the [[Borobudur]]. Under the ''candi'' wavy outlines of waters are visible. Behind the ''candi'' two golden mountain tops are visible.

These twin mountains represents the unity between the people and their government. The emblem shows a green sky above the ''candi''. Above, the shield is adorned with a red and white ribbon, the colours of the [[Indonesian flag]]. Lining the left and right sides of the shield are respectively stalk of rice (17 of them, representing Indonesia's day of Independence) and cotton flowers (5 of them, each one is 4-petaled, representing Indonesia's year of Independence). At the bottom, the shield is adorned with a golden red ribbon. On the ribbon the name "Central Java" (''Jawa Tengah'') is inscribed in black. The floral symbol of the province is the ''[[Michelia alba]]'', while the provincial fauna is ''[[Oriolus chinensis]]''.

== Further reading ==
* ''Tourist (printed information)''
* Backshall, S. et al. (1999) ''Indonesia, The rough guide'' London {{ISBN|1-85828-429-5}}. Central Java – pp.&nbsp;153–231
* Cribb, Robert (2000) ''Historical Atlas of Indonesia'' London: Curzon Press
* Dalton. B. (1980s) ''[[Indonesia Handbook]]'' various editions – Central Java.
* [[Clifford Geertz|Geertz, C.]] (1960) ''The Religion of Java'' University Of Chicago Press 1976 paperback: {{ISBN|0-226-28510-3}}
* Hatley, Ron et al. (1984) ''Other Javas: away from the kraton'' Clayton: Monash University
* Vaisutis. Justine et al. (2007) ''[[Indonesia (Lonely Planet)|Indonesia]]'' Eighth edition. [[Lonely Planet]] Publications Pty Ltd, Footscray, Victoria {{ISBN|978-1-74104-435-5}}

== Notable people ==
{{main category|People from Central Java}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Indonesia}}
* [[West Java]]
* [[East Java]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===
* {{Cite book |last=Ricklefs |first=M.C. |title=A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1300 |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=1991 |location=San Francisco|isbn=1349227005}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.jawatengah.go.id}} {{in lang|id}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170119024930/http://kilasjateng.com/ Media Online]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Central Java
|North     = [[Java Sea]]
|Northeast = [[Java Sea]]
|East      = {{flag|East Java}}
|Southeast = [[Indian Ocean]]
|South     = [[Indian Ocean]]<br>{{flag|Special Region of Yogyakarta}}
|Southwest = [[Indian Ocean]]
|West      = {{flag|West Java}}
|Northwest = [[Java Sea]]
}}

{{Central Java|state=uncollapsed}}
{{Provinces of Indonesia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Central Java| ]]
[[Category:1945 establishments in Indonesia]]
[[Category:Provinces of Indonesia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1945]]