Banjarmasin is the capital of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is located at 3°20′S 114°35′E, on a delta island near the junction of the Barito and Martapura rivers. As a result, Banjarmasin is sometimes called the 'River City'. Its population is about 444,000 (1991), making it the forth largest city on Borneo.
An important deepwater port, it is the trade center of the rich Barito basin; exports include rubber, pepper, timber, petroleum, coal, gold, and diamonds. There is a large oil refinery, and coal mines and sawmills are in the vicinity. The city is a centre for boatbuilding, especially of the pinisi sailing schooners used for inter-island trade.
The city is laced with flood-prone waterways, and many houses are built on rafts or stilts over the waterr. A floating marketplace, where buyers and sellers visit by boat, is located on the western outskirts of town.
The Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque, located along the Martapura riverfront, is a major landmark in the city. Built in 1980, it accommodates thousands of worshippers for Friday prayers. A state university (Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, UNLAM) is in the town.
Famous local food is soto banjar with lime.
History
Nan Serunai was an ancient kingdom in South Kalimantan, but soon it was replaced by Buddhist kingdom of Tanjungpuri. In the fourteenth century, Banjarmasin was part of the Hindu kingdom of Negara Dipa and Negara Daha respectfully, a vessel of Majapahit. But Pangeran Samudera converted to become a Muslimin the fifteenth century, and Banjarese people became muslims ever since. The Dutch opened trade there in 1606. The British controlled the city for several brief periods, and in 1787 it became a Dutch protectorate.
The Hikayat Banjar is the chronicle of Banjarmasin. This text, also called the History of Lambung Mangkurat, contains the history of the kings of Banjar and of Kota Waringin in South-east and South Borneo respectively.
