buitenzorg

Buitenzorg is the historic Dutch colonial name for the Indonesian city now known as Bogor, located in West Java about 60 kilometers south of Jakarta. The city sits in a fertile upland valley along the Ciliwung river and is part of a region long favored for its cooler climate and agricultural potential.

The name Buitenzorg means “outer garden” in Dutch. During the colonial era it served as a key administrative and residential center, including as the seat of the Buitenzorg Residency within the Dutch East Indies. The area is home to the Bogor Palace (Istana Bogor), a residence that originated in the 18th century for colonial officials and later became a presidential residence in the Indonesian period. The Kebun Raya Bogor, or Bogor Botanical Gardens, was established in 1817 and remains one of the oldest and most important botanical gardens in Asia, serving as a center for research and public education.

In the national period following Indonesia’s independence, the name Buitenzorg gradually fell from official use and the city became widely known as Bogor. The administrative landscape also changed, with Bogor City functioning as a municipal center separate from the surrounding Bogor Regency. The city and its surroundings continue to be a popular weekend retreat for residents of Jakarta, notable for the gardens, the palace complex, and nearby highland scenery such as tea plantations and the Puncak Pass area.

Today, Buitenzorg, as a historical name, is primarily used in references to the colonial era, while Bogor denotes the modern city and its broader urban and regional context.