Martapura is the capital of the Banjar Regency in South Kalimantan province, Indonesia. It is located immediately to the north of the city of Banjarbaru (with which it forms a continuous built-up area) and it consists of three districts within the Regency - Martapura, West Martapura and East Martapura, with a combined population at the 2020 Census of 169,356 people;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 181,064.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Banjar Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.6303)
Originally this town was named "Kayutangi", which was the last capital of the former Sultanate of Banjar. The famous Banjarese ulema Sheikh Muhammad Arsyad al-Banjari, author of Sabilal Muhtadin, comes from this town.
This town is famous as kota santri or the "city of santri (Muslim students)" in Kalimantan, because of the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) of Pondok Pesantren Darussalam Martapura. Martapura is often called "Veranda of Mecca" because there are many santris wearing white clothes in this town who walk up and down to study Islam, similar to Mecca in the hajj season.. Pegi pegi. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
This town is often visited by tourists because of its diamond industry center and the main diamond polishing in Kalimantan and provides many jewelry handicrafts.Badan Pusat Statistik, Kalsel, 2011.
Administration Martapura comprises three of the districts (kecamatan) of Banjar Regency, listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 2020 Census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates (for mid 2025).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Banjar Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.6303)
Name Area inkm2 Pop'nCensus2010 Pop'nCensus2020 Pop'nEstimate 2025 No. of villages (kelurahan) Martapura 42.03 101,482 121,153 130,177 26 Martapura Timur (East Martapura)29.99 29,20029,370 31,113 20 Martapura Barat (West Martapura)149.38 16,97218,833 19,774 13 Totals221.40 147,654169,356 181,064 59
References