The Majapahit dynasty, based in and around East Java

The Majapahit dynasty, based in and around East Java

The Majapahit dynasty, based in and around East Java, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and part of the Philippines for hundreds of years. This was the beginning of profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam. As the power in Central Java declined in the 10th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, and an artistic and intellectual Renaissance. Parts of theMahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its temple art. Today the open-air amphitheater at Pandaan performan-ce ¬ s tell some of the stories of this glorious past, set against an impressive backdrop of distant Volcanoes, Capturing the spirit of the province's culture and scenery. East Java's claim to fame in modern history is the Vanguard its role in the struggle for independence against Colonial forces in 1945. Little of the Majapahit Empire's former glory still stands in East Java. Nevertheless, East Java has a variety of attractions, ranging from temple sites to unspoiled beaches, stunning Volcanoes, extra ordinary Highland lakes, resplendent marine parks and fantastic wildlife réservés. The provincial capital, Surabaya is second in size, population, and commerce only to Jakarta. It is also the most industrialized province in the nation with a strong economy based on agriculture, (coffee, mangoes and apples), fisheries and oil.