Java

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The islands Java-Madura & Bali (Indonesia) together are approximately the size of the U.S. state of Arkansas, but with a population greater than the combined populations of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, California, Texas, Florida & Georgia--over 120 million people. This makes the region one of the most densely populated in the world.

The major ethnic groups on Java-Madura & Bali are the Javanese (approximately 70 million), Sundanese (approximately 32 million) and the Madurese (approximately 16 million). Smaller groups include the Bantenese, the Tenggerese, the Oseng (sometimes spelled Useng) & Baduy.

The major cities are Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Malang. See also Least Evangelized Megacities. Most of these urban agglomerations see populations that fluctuate daily as people commute in and out of work: Jakarta, for example, has an estimated population of some 14 million during the day, and perhaps 9 million at night. Traffic during the morning and evening can grind to a standstill as a result.

The Indonesian island of Java with a population of 124 million people is the most populous island in the world. Over 90% of inhabitants of the island are Muslims (Almost 10% of the Muslim population worldwide). The very first Muslim kingdom on the island of Java was founded in 1511 at Demak, about 24 km east of Semarang in Central Java. It was from Demak that Islam spread out throughout the island. Demak’s three-tiered Grand Mosque is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture is considered very holy. Some Javanese Muslims even believe that seven visits to this mosque equals one visit to Mecca.

--Michael A. Kilgore 07:24, 13 April 2007 (MDT)