Central: Jakarta

Embassies and businesses tend to gravitate towards Central Jakarta, the capital's nucleus. Indonesians from all over the archipelago flock to the city for a share of commerce. Most companies choose to establish their base along Jalan M.H. Thamrin. This district, with its close proximity to the concentration of government offices at Lapangan Merdeka, assures quick access to the rest of the city. For the leisure traveler, Central Jakarta showcases some of the best museums in town and plenty of photo-taking opportunities. The National Museum, Textile Museum, Jakarta Arts Building, Puppet Museum and Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center all do their part in initiating visitors to the city's past and culture.Several monuments grace Central Jakarta's busy traffic circles. In the middle of the Lapangan Merdeka towers the gold-topped obelisk and the mos t famous landmark in the metropolis, the National Monument. Sooner or later visitors are bound to stumble upon the Welcome Monument and other imposing statues—Farmer's Statue, Arjuna Wijaya Statue and Prince Diponegoro Statue. The Istiqlal Mosque, Cathedral Church and Immanuel Church also make excellent backdrops for snapshots. © WCities