Priangan

Priangan is a historic geographic and cultural region in western Java, Indonesia, comprising the Sundanese highlands along the western part of the island’s volcanic mountain system. The area is characterized by rolling hills, deep valleys, and fertile soils, with elevations generally higher than the lowland plains and a cooler, tropical highland climate.

The region is predominantly inhabited by the Sundanese people. Sundanese is widely spoken, and the area has a distinct cultural heritage that includes traditional music, architecture, cuisine, and festivals. Priangan has long been associated with agriculture and plantation economies, a pattern intensified during Dutch colonial rule.

Economy and landscape: Agriculture remains central, with crops such as tea and coffee (notably in the highland plantations around towns like Bandung, Garut, and Sukabumi), as well as rice, vegetables, and fruit. The landscape is marked by tea plantations, volcanic peaks, and scenic valleys. Tourism is important in the modern era, drawing visitors to natural attractions around Bandung, Tangkuban Perahu, Papandayan, and other volcanic formations.

Major towns and administration: Bandung, the capital of West Java, serves as a regional urban and cultural hub within Priangan. Other significant centers include Garut, Sukabumi, Tasikmalaya, and Cianjur. The term Priangan is chiefly historical and cultural, used to describe the highland belt inhabited by Sundanese communities, and its exact boundaries vary in different sources.

Overall, Priangan denotes a core highland region of western Java notable for its climate, agriculture, and role in Sundanese culture.