Bengkulu is one of the provinces in Indonesia. Previously this region under the influence of the royal Indrapura and Banten sultanate. Then ruled England before being handed over to the Netherlands. The city is also a place of exile Bung Karno within years 1939 - 1942 during the reign of the Dutch East Indies. Bengkulu city has an area of 151.7 km² with a population of 319 098 people consisting of 160 293 men and 158 805 women in 2012
Bengkulu Geography
Bengkulu city with an area of 151.70 km², is located on the west coast of the island of Sumatra with about 525 km long coast. The city region longitudinally aligned with the Bukit Barisan mountains and dealing directly with the Indian Ocean.
Bengkulu History
At the beginning of the 17th century, the area came under the influence Bengkulu Banten kingdom and the ruler of Minangkabau. The arrival of Europeans to the islands of Indonesia caused by the desire to obtain the spice directly from the source. In a number of European countries established airline whose goal is to find spices and sold in the European market. The Dutch established the VOC or Verenigde Oost Indie Compagnie, One of the spices that are sought after pepper. One area where the pepper grows is the southern part of the island of Sumatra. 1633 VOC established a trading post in Bengkulu. VOC then expel the British from Banten. This forced the East India Company, who still want to be involved in the pepper trade, set up in 1685 a post in Bengkulu, "Bencoolen" in English, with the purpose of seeking pepper. To protect this post, the British sent a small force. To accommodate these troops built a fort, Fort Marlborough.
Britain occupied Bengkulu for 140 years. During this period hundreds of British soldiers died of cholera, malaria and dysentery. Bengkulu life very difficult for the British, compared to India. At that time the trip voyage from England to Bengkulu takes 8 months. Disagreement arose between the authorities in London and India on the one hand, and those who wish to retain the British occupation of Sumatra to continue the pepper trade. In addition to the Fort Marlborough, Company also built Fort York in Bengkulu and Fort Anne in Muko-Muko.
Occurs also clashes with the locals. In 1719 Britain was forced to leave Bengkulu. England then returned. But in 1760 Fort Marlborough surrendered to the troops sent France. In 1807 the British resident Thomas Parr killed. Parr replaced Thomas Stamford Raffles, who tried to establish peaceful relations between the English and the local authorities. Under the Anglo-Dutch treaty signed in 1824, the British handed Bengkulu to the Netherlands, and the Netherlands handed over Melaka to England. However, the new Dutch sincerely establish its colonial administration in Bengkulu 1868. the Netherlands tried to revive. Bengkulu economy improves and develops Bengkulu city. In 1878 the Dutch made Bengkulu separate residentie of South Sumatra.
Under the Emergency Law No. 6 of 1956, Bengkulu is one of the Small City with an area of 17.6 km² in the province of South Sumatra. The mention of Small Towns is then turned into a municipality by Act No. 1 of 1957 on the main points of local government.
After the release of Act No. 9 of 1967 concerning the establishment of the province of Bengkulu, Bengkulu municipality as well as the capital for the province. However, the new Act came into force on June 1, 1968 after the release of Government Regulation No. 20 of 1968.
Bengkulu Population
Bengkulu City Population 2010 Population Census results Numbering 308 544 inhabitants which consists of 155 288 inhabitants male and 153 256 female soul with the number 101. Population Sex Ratio of the city of Bengkulu still rests in District Gading Cempaka which has a population of 78 767 people (25.53 % Of the population of the city of Bengkulu) and Sungai Planer has the smallest population in Bengkulu city with a population of 21 981 people (7:12% Of the population of the city of Bengkulu). Bengkulu City Population Growth Rate (LPP) Bengkulu City of 2000-2010 stood at 2.90 percent. With a total area of 144.52 km² of Bengkulu city inhabited by 308 544 people, the density is 2,135 people per square kilometer. Bengkulu City community embraced almost 95% Islamic, 4%Christian and Catholic, and religion the other only 1 percent .