Tarakan, according to the Folktales is derived from the Local Language of Tidung; Tarak (to meet) and Ngakan (to eat), which can be transformed articulately by local fishermen community, as “The place for fishermen to rest, to meet, to eat and to barter the catch result with other fishermen” On the other hand, Tarakan is also the place of merging of the stream from Kayan River, Sesayap River and Malinau.
The Island`s peaceful condition begun to disturb when the Dutch Oil Company; BPM (Bataavische Petroleum Maatschapij) discovered an oil resource in 1896. Many workers then flown from another island, mainly from Jawa Island to be forced to work in the company business, due to the increasing work of exploration and exploitation in the resources, either in oil resource or in labor. Knowing the growth and the function of the area, then in 1923, the Dutch Colonialist Govt. thought that it needs to station a Resident Assistant of their Govt. in this island, to subdue 5 (five) regions. There were Tanjung Selor, Tarakan, Malinau, Apau Kayan, and Berau. However, after the Independence Declaration, the Government of Indonesia needed to change the status of Tarakan; From the Regent Status to District of Tarakan, as stated on the Decree of President number 22 year of 1963.
The strategic location and position of Tarakan have made it as one of the Industrial Central in northern part of East Kalimantan Province. That result has led the Government of Indonesia raise the status of Tarakan to become The Administrative City, based on the Government Act number 47 year 1981.
In 1997, the status of The Administrative City then upgraded to Kotamadya (big city), which is based on the Indonesian Law number 29 year 1997, that the inauguration was directly carried out by Minister of Interior State, on December 15, 1997; where the day is also declared as the anniversary day of Tarakan City.
Sightseeing:
- Mangrove Forest is one (1) of conservative mangrove forest in East Kalimantan.
- Amal Beach is 11 kms from the downtown.
- Three (3) hours by speed boat to Derawan, Sangalaki, Maratua Island, divers’ destinations with clear water and beautiful under seaview.
- Australian and Japanese Monuments and other places of interest are within the vicinity.
