Blitar is a landlocked city in East Java, Indonesia, about 73 km from Malang and 167 km from Surabaya. The area lies within longitude 111° 40' – 112° 09' East and its latitude is 8° 06' South. The city of Blitar lies at an altitude on average 167 metres above sea level,[Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.] and 149,149 at the 2020 Census;[Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.] the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 161,204 (comprising 80,376 males and 80,828 females).[Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kota Blitar Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3572)]
The city is noted as the location of the grave of Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, five kilometers from the city plaza. The Istana Gebang (Gebang palace) where Sukarno lived as a child is nearby and has been converted into a museum. containing numerous items commemorating Sukarno's place in Indonesian history.
Blitar city is surrounded by four of the districts ( kecamatan) of Blitar Regency - Kademangan, Garum, Nglegok and Sanankulon; added to the population of the city, this combined area of seven kecamatan had a total population in mid 2023 of 436,740 within 318.3 km2.[Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kota Blitar Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3572)]
Administrative districts
Blitar city is divided into three districts (
kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their population totals from the 2010 census
[Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.] and the 2020 census,
[Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.] together with the official estimates as at mid 2024.
[Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kota Blitar Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3572)] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (urban
kelurahan) in each district, and its postal codes.
|
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| 66121 - 66126 |
| 66113 - 66117 |
| 66133 - 66137 |
|
The names of the kelurahan in each district are:
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Sukorejo: Blitar, Karangsari, Sukorejo, Pakunden, Tanjungsari, Turi, Tlumpu
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Kepanjenkidul: Bendo, Kauman, Kepanjenkidul, Kepanjenlor, Ngadirejo, Sentul, Tanggung
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Sawanwetan: Bendogerit, Gedog, Karangtengah, Klampok, Plosokerep, Rembang, Sananwetan
Local economic governance
Based on the survey conducted between August 2010 and January 2011, Blitar was rated number one in Indonesia for local economic governance, being considered particularly good in infrastructure, the interaction between local administrations and businesses, business licensing, and regional head capacity and integrity.
Sukarno's Mausoleum
It is located at Bendogerit village, in Sunanwetan district, about 2 kilometres from Blitar city.
The tomb is built in East Javanese "Joglo" architectural pattern, and combined with Gateway of Bentar.
The mausoleum is 51 feet high, with a copper roof of a three-tier building. Underneath, Sukarno's plot is flanked by that of his mother and father. A stone of black andesite bears the inscription, "Here lies Bung Karno, proclaimer of independence, first president of Indonesia."
Beside the main building of the tomb, the graveyard complex has Gapura Agung (The Great Gate), Mosque, halls, parks, a rest-area, and a parking place.
The tomb is opened to the public, attracts a large number of visitors, both domestic and international. About 1.5 million people visit the tomb annually.
University in Blitar
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Nahdlatul Ulama University of Blitar
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Balitar Islamic University
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Kesuma Negara College of Economics (STIEKEN)
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PGRI Blitar Teacher Training and Education College (STKIP PGRI Blitar)
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Patria Husada College of Health Sciences (STIKES Patria Husada)
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Indonesian Tax Management Academy (AMPINDO)
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Putra Sang Fajar Blitar State Community Academy (AKN Putra Sang Fajar)
People from Blitar
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Boediono, former vice president of Indonesia.
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Admiral Agus Suhartono, former commander-in-chief of the Indonesian military.
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Livi Zheng, film producer and director
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Charis Yulianto, footballer
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Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, badminton athlete
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Wiweko Soepono, inventor and director/pilot of Garuda Indonesia
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Anjasmara, actor
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Anthony Fokker, aviation pioneer
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Sukadji Ranuwihardjo, academic
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Anas Urbaningrum, politician
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Imam Munandar, politician
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Masjchun Sofwan, politician
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Sukarni, politician
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Agus Suhartono, military leader
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Putri Raemawasti, beauty queen, Puteri Indonesia 2007
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Hardi, painter
Climate
Blitar has a tropical monsoon climate (Am) with moderate to little rainfall from June to October and heavy rainfall from November to May.
See also
Further reading
External links
