Gunung Kidul Regency

Gunungkidul Regency is a regency in the southeast part of the province of Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Java. The regency (the name of which means South Mountains in Javanese) is bordered by the Sleman Regency to the north west, Bantul Regency to the west, the Indian Ocean to the south, Wonogiri Regency to the east and Klaten Regency to the north. It covers an area of 1,485.36 km2 and had a population of 675,382 at the 2010 Census;[2] the most recent official estimate (for mid 2018) is 736 ,210.[3]

Gunungkidul Regency

Kabupaten Gunungkidul
Regency
Baron Beach, one of the many beaches in Gunungkidul Regency
Seal
Nicknames: 
[Thousand Mount City] Kota Gunung Sewu,[Gathot City] Kota Gathot,[Cave City] Kota Goa,[Chalk Mount City] Kota Gunung Kapur
Motto(s): 
Dhaksinarga Bhumikarta
Gunungkidul Regency in Special Region of Yogyakarta
CountryIndonesia
Special Administrative RegionYogyakarta
CapitalWonosari
Government
 • RegentHj. Badingah, S.Sos
 • Vice MayorDrs. Immawan Wahyudi, M.H.
Area
 • Total1,485.36 km2 (573.50 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2018)[1]
 • Total736,210
 • Density500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (WIB)
Post Code
55800
Area code(s)0274
Vehicle registrationAB
Websitegunungkidulkab.go.id

The southern coast of Gunungkidul is rough and wild but exotic with several beautiful beaches: Baron, Kukup, Krakal, Drini, Sepanjang, Sundak, Siung Beach, Wediombo and Sadeng. Some of these beaches provide fresh fish and other sea product supplied by local fisherman. The most notable is Baron beach. There is a park next to the beach surrounded by seafood restaurants and hostels. There is a fresh fish market on the east side of the beach. On the west side, a river flows out from an almost sea-level cave on the side of the western ridge. The beach itself is khaki-colored and sprawled with traditional fishermen's boats. Beside the main beach, there is a kilometer of almost untouched white sand beach lying beyond its eastern ridge. It can be reached by a small hike; there is a rest area with a beautiful view on top of the eastern hill.

There are also tourist sites to visit near the beach area of Parangtritis which is located on the border of the Gunungkidul and Bantul districts. There are some temples, springs, and underground rivers in the village of Girijati near Parangtritis.[4]

The Gunungkidul area in earlier times was heavily forested. However, most of the teak forests have now been removed and many reforestation projects occur on the western edge of the Regency. The Regency has been subject to extensive drought and famine within the last hundred years. Water shortages and poverty remain serious problems in the region.[5]

Administrative districts
A view taken from a hill in Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta
Indrayanti Beach, a famous scenic beach in Gunungkidul, famed for its waves and similar island with Tanah Lot in Bali
An abandoned lighthouse (now operated as a tourist photo spots) in Baron Beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta

Gunungkidul Regency is divided into eighteen administrative districts (Indonesian: kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census,[6] together with the latest official estimates (for mid 2018).[7]

NameArea
in
km2		Pop'n
Census
2010		Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2018
Panggang99.8026,50928,900
Purwosari71.7619,36121,107
Paliyan58.0729,08331,700
Sapto Sari87.8334,27037,354
Tepus104.9131,88934.758
Tanjungsari71.6325,69828.009
Rongkop83.4626,90129,319
Girisubo94.5722,18824,183
Semanu108.3951,73756,393
Ponjong104.4949,80354,284
Karangmojo80.1248,76853,151
Wonosari75.5178,74785,865
Playen105.2654,49259,408
Patuk72.0430,33633,081
Gedangsari68.1435,26538,434
Nglipar73.8729,68732,359
Ngawen46.5931,62234,471
Semin78.9249,02653,434
Totals1,485.36675,382736,210

General condition

Geography

Gunungkidul Regency is in a karst region. This leads to difficult geography for farmers and contributes to considerable poverty in the area because of water shortages.[8] Much of the Regency is included in the Mount Sewu (literally "thousand mountains") collection of limestone hills which stretches across parts of southern Java from parts of Kebumen Regency in the west near the border with West Java across to close to the city of Malang in East Java. The Menoreh Hills in the area south of Yogyakarta in Kulonprogo Regency, for example, are part of this series of limestone hills.[9]

Caves

The limestone hills are reported to contain hundreds of caves. These are classified locally as vertical caves (known as luweng in Javanese) and horizontal caves. Jomblang cave (Luweng Jomblang) and Grubug Cave (Luwung Grubug) located in the Semanu subdistrict in Kulonprogo, as well as other caves in the area, are well-known to local caving (speleological) groups. Some of the caves are quite long; Cerme cave, for example, has an entrance in Bantul Regency and stretches for quite a distance eastward into Panggang subdistrict in Gunungkidul Regency.[9]

Prehistory
Statue menhirs from Gunungkidul

From archaeological findings, the area of Gunungkidul Regency is thought to have been inhabited by humans (Homo sapiens) from 700,000 years ago.[10] Many find the instructions of human existence found in caves and niches in karst of Gunungkidul, especially in Ponjong sub-district. The human propensity Gunung occupy the time it caused most of the lowland in Yogyakarta is still flooded.[11] The arrival of the first humans in Gunungkidul occurred at the end of the Pleistocene period . At that time, the human race Australoid migrated from the Pegunungan Sewu in Pacitan, East Java passing Wonogiri karst valleys, Central Java until it reaches the southern coast of Gunungkidul through ancient, Bengawan Solo.

Borderline

Culture
Walang goreng (fried grasshoppers)

Gunungkidul Regency is located in the limestone uplands of Java, thus soils are not very good for growing rice. Cassava replaced rice in this area. Some famous Gunungkidul cuisine includes thiwul, gathot (both are cassava-based food), and a delicacy called walang goreng (fried grasshoppers).[12]

Topography

North Zone

North Zone called Agung Batur region with an altitude of 200–700 m above sea level. The situation is hilly, there are sources of groundwater depth of 6m - 12m from the ground. Latosol soil types dominated by volcanic and sedimentary parent hurricane stones. This area includes the District Patuk, Gedangsari, Nglipar, Ngawen, Semin, and the northern part of the District Ponjong.

Central Zone

Central Zone called Ledok Wonosari development, with an altitude of 150–200 m above sea level. The soil type is dominated by Mediterranean association with the red and black grumusol limestone. So despite its long dry season, the water particles are still able to survive. There is a river on the land. Groundwater depth ranges between 60–120 m below the ground surface. This area includes the District Playen, Wonosari, Karangmojo, Ponjong the central and northern parts Semanu.

South Zone

South Zone called Pegunungan Seribu development area (Duizon gebergton or Zuider gebergton), with an altitude of 0–300 m above sea level. Constituent bedrock is limestone with characteristic conical hills (Conical limestone) and the karst area. Underground rivers are often found in this region. The South Zone includes District Saptosari, Paliyan, Girisubo, Tanjungsari, Kecamatan Tepus, Rongkop, Purwosari, Panggang, Ponjong the south, and the southern part Semanu.

Climatology

Gunungkidul regency including tropical area, the topography of a region dominated by karst region area. The southern region is dominated by karst region, that are numerous natural caves and underground rivers flowing. Under these conditions cause the condition of the land in the southern area which resulted in less fertile agricultural cultivation in this region is less than optimal. Gunungkidul climatological conditions generally exhibit the following conditions:

  • The average rainfall in 2010 amounted to 1954.43 mm/year with the number of rainy days an average of 103 days/year. Wet months 7 months, while the dry months range from 5 months. Gunungkidul north region has the highest rainfall over central and southern regions. Gunungkidul southern region has the most rain beginning late
  • Temperatures daily average of 27.7 °C, minimum temperature of 23.2 °C and a maximum temperature of 32.4 °C.
  • Relative humidity ranging between 80% - 85%, not too influenced by the high places, but more influenced by the seasons.

Heirloom

Tombak Kyai Marga Salurung

Tombak Kyai Marga Salurung is one of heirloom gift from the King of Yogyakarta, Hamengkubuwono X on Sunday, May 27, 2001, when the Celebration of 170th Anniversary of Gunungkidul Regency. Spear heirloom that has a new dhapur cekel, warangka kajeng sanakeling symbolize that the district government of Gunungkidul still has a major commitment to achieve lofty ideals are deeply rooted and always siding with the people. The leaders and the people have the attitude or the direction salurung approval, accord, saiyeg - saeka- kapti in the corridors of democracy, which means heavy hands make light work, conscious of their rights, but also respect the rights of others and known for certain obligations.

UNESCO Geopark
See also: Gunung Sewu Geopark

Gunung Kidul Regency and the nearby Imogiri area (in Bantul Regency) and Pacitan Regency (East Java Province) is being promoted by the Indonesia government to be a UNESCO Geopark, due to their unique and scenic karst landscape. An accessor from UNESCO has visited 4 areas in July 2014. These include:[13]

A halo at Ngobaran beach, one of many scenic beaches in Gunungkidul Regency

As a karst region, Gunung Kidul Regency has many caves, some of which have underground rivers. At least two of them (Pindul Cave in the Bejiharjo area and Kalisuci Cave in the Semanu area) are regarded as tourist sites[14] where tubing activities can be carried on.[15]

Nglanggeran primeval volcano in the Patuk area is only 600 meters high but there are excellent views from the peak to the north towards Mount Merapi and to the south across to the coast of Java. Scattered giant granite and andesite rock formations called "watu wayang" (puppet rocks) are found at the Mt Nglanggeran area as well as a nearby man-made lake. It takes around 3 hours to hike from the Pendopo Kali Song entrance point to the peak.[16]

Siung Beach Bay is about 300 meters in length, but swimming is prohibited because of dangerous rocks and severe waves. The cliff surrounding the beach, with over 200 tracks, is suitable for rock climbing.[17]

200 meters east of Siung Beach there is a 10-meter Jogan Tide Fall in Tepus district which is 70 kilometers from Yogyakarta in 2 hours drive. Rainy season is the best time to see the Jogan Tide Fall, because in the dry season, the water level is low.[18]

References
  1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2020.
  2. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2020.
  4. Dalih Sembiring, 'A Girijati Getaway: Hidden Allures in South Yogyakarta' Archived 2013-02-04 at Archive.today, The Jakarta Globe, 25 October 2010.
  5. Oei Eng Goan, 'The Thinker: For Want of Water' Archived 2012-01-31 at the Wayback Machine, The Jakarta Globe, 20 September 2011.
  6. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  7. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2020.
  8. Slamet Susanto, 'Ponijo: Sunny disposition keeps water flowing' Archived 2014-12-20 at Archive.today, The Jakarta Post, 16 August 2007.
  9. 'Sewu mountain, a paradise for cave explorers', The Jakarta Post, 30 June 2001.
  10. Kusuma M. Melacak Manusia Purba Gunungkidul. Kompas daring. Edisi Minggu, 11 Oktober 2009. Diakses 15 Juni 2014
  11. Kompas - Melacak manusia purba Gunungkidul diakses pada 6 November 2009
  12. "Walang Goreng Khas Gunungkidul" (in Indonesian). UMKM Jogja. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  13. Hari Susmayanti (July 7, 2014). "Kristin Terkejut dengan Keindahan Gua Pindul".
  14. "Cave Tubing Kalisuci". Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  15. "Selamat Datang di website resmi desa Wisata Bejiharjo". Retrieved March 24, 2013.
  16. Diyah Hayu Rahmitasari, 'A piece of heaven on earth', The Jakarta Post, May 13, 2013.
  17. "Siung, Pantai Indah Bertembok Karang". May 15, 2012.
  18. "Pantai Jogan, Panorama Air Terjun Di Bibir Pantai". Retrieved August 29, 2014.

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