Merauke is a large town (kelurahan) and an administrative district (distrik) in Merauke Regency of South Papua Province, Indonesia. It is also the administrative centre of Merauke Regency, and is considered to be the easternmost city in Indonesia, although it currently lacks city status. The town was originally called Ermasoe.[2] It is next to the Maro River where the Port of Merauke is located.[3] Merauke District covers a land area of 500.41 km2, and had a population of 87,634 at the 2010 Census.[4] which at the 2020 Census had increased to 102,351;[5] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 110,541 (comprising 56,578 males and 53,963 females).[1]
Communities
The district is sub-divided into eleven urban kelurahan and 5 rural villages (kampung). These are listed below with their official codes (kode wilayah) and their populations as at mid 2023,[1] together with their post codes. The names of the five desa are followed by asterisks.
Kode Wilayah
Name of kelurahan or desa
Pop'n Estimate mid 2023
Post code
93.01.01.2001
Nasem *
572
99618
93.01.01.1002
Samkai
11,801
99615
93.01.01.1003
Karang Indah
9,828
99614
93.01.01.1004
Mandala
15,158
99617
93.01.01.1005
Maro
11,015
99613
93.01.01.1006
Kelapa Lima
12,038
99612
93.01.01.1007
Rimba Jaya
11,773
99610
93.01.01.2008
Wasur *
652
99611
93.01.01.1009
Bambu Pemali
7,788
99616
93.01.01.1010
Seringgu Jaya
8,055
99619
93.01.01.1011
Kamundu
6,996
99607
93.01.01.1012
Kamahedoga
3,043
99606
93.01.01.1013
Muli
8,640
99608
93.01.01.2014
Bokem *
464
99604
93.01.01.2015
Buti *
2,414
99605
93.01.01.2016
Nggolar *
306
99609
93.01.01
Totals
41,642
History
Merauke was established in February 1902 as a military post by the Dutch, to prevent raids by the Marind-anim into neighbouring British New Guinea and the northwest Torres Strait Islands (Boigu, Dauan and Saibai). The Dutch also tried to establish a rice colony there, but to no avail.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Merauke was used as a transit point between Java, and the Boven-Digoel internment camp where many Indonesian Communist Party members were being sent.
RAAF No. 12 Squadron pilots in the mess at Merauke in December 1943
The expression "Sabang to Merauke" is used as shorthand for the territorial extent of Indonesia from west to east, for instance in the name of Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter. For instance, President Suharto stated in 1968 that "independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity from Sabang to Merauke are for the Indonesian people matters of principle".[7]
Climate
Merauke has a tropical savanna climate (KöppenAw) with moderate to little rainfall from May to November and heavy rainfall from December to April.
Merauke hosts the Musamus Merauke University, a state-run public university. It was founded as an academy in 2001 and officially became university in 2006.
