Makassar Facts For Kids

Makassar is a bustling city on the southwest coast of Sulawesi, a big island in Indonesia. It sits right by the Makassar Strait, a wide stretch of sea that connects to the ocean. Once called Ujung Pandang, it is now the capital of South Sulawesi province.

This lively place is the largest city in eastern Indonesia. It ranks as the fifth-biggest urban center in the whole country, after Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bandung. People come from far and wide for its busy port, fresh seafood, and warm tropical weather.

Makassar has a rich history of trade, kings, and adventurers from across the seas.

The name Makassar has changed a bit over time, depending on who was writing it down. Long ago, people in Europe spelled it Macassar, like in English books. The Portuguese called it Macáçar back in the 1600s when they sailed there for spices.

When the Dutch came, they wrote it as Makasser or Makassar. Even after Indonesia became independent, folks kept the double 's' in the name. That's because the Dutch spelling stuck around, even though the Indonesian language doesn't usually double letters like that.

Today, Makassar is the name everyone uses for this special port city.

Long ago, Makassar was the heart of the powerful Gowa Kingdom, also called the Gowa Sultanate. In the 1500s, the ninth king, Tumaparisi Kallonna, teamed up with nearby Tallo. Together, they built a strong trading hub at Sombaopu.

Traders from Malay lands arrived first, then Portuguese sailors in the 1540s. They used Makassar's port to sail to the spicy Maluku Islands. The city welcomed everyone with free trade rules, making it super important.

Makassarese fishers were brave explorers too. Some even reached faraway Australia in their boats!

In the late 1600s, the Dutch East India Company, called the VOC, wanted control of Makassar's trade. With help from Bugis warriors, they took over between 1667 and 1669.

They built the grand Fort Rotterdam around an older fort called Ujung Pandang. This stone stronghold protected their ships and goods. The city's main area moved north from the old center.

The Gowa Sultan had to live outside the city after his forces lost. Later, in the 1800s, a famous fighter named Diponegoro was held there until he passed away.

After World War II, Indonesia declared itself an independent country in 1945. Makassar played a big role in this exciting time. In 1946, it became the capital of a special area called the State of East Indonesia, which was part of the new United States of Indonesia. There were some tough fights in 1950 during the Makassar uprising as people worked hard for full freedom.

Later, the city had a different name, Ujungpandang, from 1971 until 1999. Then, on October 13, 1999, it proudly changed back to Makassar. Today, it's a bustling modern city growing fast with busy ports, schools, and tall buildings, connecting its rich past to a bright future.

This history makes Makassar a special place full of stories about bravery and change.

Makassar has a tropical monsoon climate, which means it's always warm and has wet and dry seasons. The average temperature stays around 27.5°C all year, with hot days up to 32.5°C and cooler nights near 22.5°C. This steady warmth lets palm trees and colorful flowers grow everywhere.

Rain falls on about 163 days a year, totaling over 3,000 mm! The wet season from December to February brings lots of showers—sometimes more than 500 mm in a month. August is the driest time, perfect for outdoor fun. During rainy days, kids might play inside or splash in puddles.

This climate helps farms grow rice and fruits, but people build strong houses to handle the heavy rains.

In Makassar, people zip around using fun local transports. Pete-pete are colorful share taxis, like mini buses, that hop between neighborhoods for a small fare. Becak are pedicabs pedaled by friendly drivers, great for short rides through busy streets.

Bigger options include government buses and ride-hailing apps like Gojek on scooters or cars. The Trans Mamminasata is a speedy bus system started in 2014, with special lanes to avoid traffic. Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport brings visitors from far away, and the Soekarno-Hatta Sea Port sends ships loaded with goods.

Whether by bike, bus, or boat, getting around is an adventure in this lively city!

Makassar is famous for yummy foods that mix bold flavors. Coto Makassar is a hearty soup with spices, nuts, and special meats simmered slowly. It's like a warm hug in a bowl, often eaten for breakfast.

Try konro, tender ribs cooked with rich spices and served with sticky burasa rice or ketupat—rice cakes wrapped in leaves. Ayam goreng Sulawesi is crispy fried chicken marinated in soy sauce, paired with rice, broth, and spicy sambal.

For sweets, head to Losari Beach for pisang epe—pressed bananas grilled with palm sugar—or pisang ijo, green bananas in sticky coconut sauce. These treats make every meal a tasty adventure!

Makassar has many schools where children learn reading, math, and science. Kids wear neat uniforms to class, with girls' skirts long enough to cover their knees, as the city leaders decided years ago. This helps everyone feel comfortable and focused on learning.

The city is also home to big universities like Hasanuddin University and State University of Makassar. These are places for grown-ups to study subjects like teaching, medicine, and business. Thousands of students attend classes, do experiments, and make new friends. Universities help Makassar grow by training smart people for important jobs.

Because of these schools and universities, young people in Makassar get a strong start in life.

Makassar sits by the sea, so fishing is a key job for many families. Fishermen head out in boats to catch fish and special sea animals. One important catch is trepang, which are wiggly sea cucumbers that people dry and sell.

Long ago, Makassan fishers sailed far across the ocean to northern Australia. This was before Europeans arrived there in 1788. They traded trepang with Indigenous Australians, sharing stories and skills. These trips built friendly links between the people.

Today, fishing still connects Makassar to the world, bringing food and trade to the city.