Economically, Jakarta plays several roles. It can be identified first as the national capital and a central place of control for the national economy, then as an administrative centre in its own right, and as a significant industrial hub. In addition, its location as a port makes it an important centre for trade.

Under the Dutch, it was known as Batavia (1619–1945), and was Djakarta (in Dutch) or Jakarta, during the Japanese occupation and the modern period. For a more detailed history of Jakarta before the proclamation of Indonesian independence, see Batavia, Dutch East Indies.

Jakarta , formerly (1949–72) Djakarta, Capital (pop., 2000: city, 8,347,083; 2003 est.: urban agglom., 12,300,000) and largest city of Indonesia.

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia. Jakarta is a huge, sprawling metropolis, home to over 10 million people with diverse ethnic group backgrounds from all over Indonesia.