Merauke City is located in West Papua, at the easternmost point of Indonesia. Its uniqueness goes beyond this geographical fact; situated in the Papua Province, it is also the last Indonesian territory bordering Papua New Guinea.

Merauke falls within the GMT +9 or Eastern Indonesia Time zone. The city spans an area of 1,445.63 square kilometers, which is just 3% of the entire Merauke Regency. Despite its relatively small size, Merauke holds several unique facts.

The Origin of the Name Merauke

The name “Merauke” originates from a story where, upon the Dutch’s first arrival in the area around the Maro River, they asked the local Marind tribe (the native inhabitants) about the name of the place. The name emerged from a misunderstanding between the Dutch and the locals due to language barriers. The Marind tribe, unable to speak Dutch or Indonesian, could only indicate that the river was the Maro River, which in their language sounded like “Maro Ka Ehe.” This phrase eventually evolved into “Merauke.”

Nickname: The City of Deer

Merauke is nicknamed the City of Deer because, in the past, the area was home to many wild deer in the forests. These deer were not endemic but were reportedly brought by the Dutch during the colonial era. They adapted well to Papua, flourishing and often seen roaming the area. Deer meat dishes, like venison jerky, became popular in Merauke. Unfortunately, the wild deer population is now threatened due to ongoing illegal hunting.

Originally a City of Immigrants

The indigenous people of Merauke comprise two native tribes: Marind Anim and Sohoers. Initially, Merauke was a city for foreigners or immigrants. Discovered by the Dutch on February 12, 1902, immigrants from other parts of Indonesia, Europe, and China flocked to the southern forests of the island to hunt birds. When the Dutch banned hunting, the immigrants returned to Merauke to spend their earnings. Over time, Merauke became home not only to immigrants but also to many native Papuans.

Sea and Air Transportation Access

Merauke is a gateway for immigrants and investors, thanks to its adequate transportation infrastructure. Mopah International Airport, built in 1943 for wartime emergencies, is now a major entry point into Merauke. The airport serves flights to Jayapura, Timika, Makassar, Surabaya, and Jakarta with a 2,250-meter runway accommodating Boeing 737 series aircraft. Airlines operating scheduled flights to and from Mopah International Airport include Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya Air, Lion Air, and Susi Air, which handles pioneering flights. The sea route is served by Merauke Port, featuring a 158-meter-long dock (Yos Sudarso Dock) and a 600-square-meter open warehouse. The port also has a 58-meter-long wooden dock, a 70-meter-long Pertamina dock, and a 5-meter-wide dock.

A Unique Monument Resembling The Avengers’ Headquarters

The Time Capsule Monument in Merauke went viral for its resemblance to The Avengers’ headquarters from the Marvel series. Designed by renowned Indonesian architect Yori Antar, this monument incorporates elements of Papuan culture. Inaugurated by President Joko Widodo in 2020, it contains seven dreams and hopes of Indonesian children for the next 70 years, from 2015 to 2085. These aspirations are permanently stored in the Time Capsule Monument in Merauke and will be opened by future generations in 2085. The monument, located in front of the Merauke Regent’s Office and near Mopah Airport, has become a new landmark for the city.

The Meaningful Libra Monument

The Libra Monument, also known as the Brawijaya Circle, was inaugurated on May 23, 2013. It stands at the intersection of Jalan Brawijaya and Parako in Merauke. The monument symbolizes balance, representing the four cardinal directions and aligning with the four customary groups of Animha: hard work, intelligent thinking, harmony, responsibility, and fairness with transparency. The number 1902 on the monument signifies the year when the Marind people first interacted with the outside world. At the top of the monument is a miniature globe, symbolizing Merauke’s aspiration to become a global city. Below the globe, the city’s motto, “Izakod Bekai Izakod Kai” (One Heart One Goal), reflects the unity of the Indonesian archipelago from Sabang to Merauke.

Crafts Made from Crocodile Skin

When visiting Merauke, one must buy local crafts made from crocodile skin, a prominent home industry due to the large crocodile population in Merauke. This practice is legal, governed by specific regulations allowing controlled hunting under local government supervision. The crafts include shoes, belts, wallets, bags, and even unique golf bags, which are quite valuable.