Merdeka Square | |
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Public square | |
Indonesian: Medan Merdeka Lapangan Merdeka | |
Former name(s): Lapangan Ikada Koningsplein | |
A view of Merdeka Square with National Monument standing in the middle of the square. | |
Features | National Monument, fountain, statues |
Construction | 1961–1976 |
Opening date | 1976 |
Amenities | parking |
Area | 1 square kilometre (100 ha) |
Surface | stone pavement and grass |
Dedicated to | Indonesia independence |
Location | Jakarta, Indonesia |
Location of Merdeka Square in Jakarta | |
Coordinates: 6°10′31″S 106°49′38″E / 6.17528°S 106.82722°E |
Merdeka Square (Indonesian: Medan Merdeka or Lapangan Merdeka, formerly Dutch: Koningsplein, lit. "King's Square") is a large square located in the center of Jakarta, Indonesia.[1] Merdeka is the Indonesian word for freedom or independence.[2] Measuring approximately one square kilometer in area, if the surrounding fields within the Merdeka Square are included, it is considered one of the largest squares in the world.[3] At 75 hectares, it is over five times the size of Tiananmen Square, and 12 times the size of Place de la Concorde.[4]
At its center stands the National Monument, often called Monas (Monumen Nasional).[5] The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events such as military and float parades, as well as civic demonstrations. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical fountain in western side, and a deer enclosure where deer roam among the shady trees in the southeast corner.[6] The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends.[7]
It is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace,[8] the National Museum, the National Library, Jakarta City Hall, Istiqlal Mosque, the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries.[6] During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein (King's square).[9]
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