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 Banten is one of the provinces of Indonesia and located at the western end of the island of Java.
Banten was known as a region which has been recognized since 14th century. Originally Banten is a port city which merchant ships from various regions visited. Arabs, Chinese, and European merchants were a regular trader in the region.
In the year 1330, people have acknowledged a sovereign state which referred as Panten. In the following years the region was conquered by the Kingdom of Majapahit. At that period of time two strong empires ruled peacefully sharing regions of Indonesian archipelago; the well established and powerful Kingdom of Majapahit and the emerging Sultanate of Demak. During 1524 - 1525, merchants from Islamic regions were coming to Banten to spread the teaching of Islam while trading to make a living. These preachers have penetrated and introduced people the peaceful way of life of Islam and as result many people in the region embraced Islam as their belief.
Two centuries later, Regency of Banten (Kadipaten Banten) was established at Surasowan on 8 October 1526. Then during 1552 - 1570 Sultan Maulana Hasanudin ruled as the first Sultan of Banten.
In the present day, the area of Sultanate of Banten is a province. The Province of Banten was established on 17 October 2000 through the Bill No. 23/2000, but the peak of celebration to the establishment in fact happened on 4 October 2000 when tens of thousands of Bantenese came to the Parliament of the Republic Of Indonesia (DPR RI) building at Senayan, Jakarta, at the same time as the plenary meeting of the parliament to authenticate the bill of forming the Province of Banten. Therefore the society of Banten mutually agree to set 4 October 2000 as day of the establishment of Banten Province.
Banten is located at 105°01'11" - 106°07'12" East Longitudinal and 05°07'50" - 07°01'12¡" South Latitude.
The total area is 8,800.83 Km2, consisting of 4 Regencies and 2 Cities which are divided into as follows:
- Kabupaten Serang : 1.724,09 km2
- Kabupaten Lebak : 2.859,96 km2
- Kabupaten Pandeglang : 2.746,88 km2
- Kabupaten Tangerang : 1.110,38 km2
- Kota Cilegon : 175,50 km2
- Kota Tangerang : 177,20 km2
Banten region is surrounded by Java Sea in the North. Sunda Straits in the West, and facing the India Ocean in the South. These make Banten as a region with very great of sea product resources.
GROSS REGIONAL DOMESTIC PRODUCT
More than 52% of total Banten’s GDRP comes from industrial sector. Agricultural sector absorbs many workforces, however, it only contributes 9.70% of GRDP.
(this information is taken from Wikipedia and BKPM).
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