Jepara () is a regency in the northeast of the Indonesian province of Central Java. It covers a land area of 1,020.25 km2 and had a population of 1,097,280 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 1,184,947 at the 2020 census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 1,296,076 (comprising 651,734 males and 644,342 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Jepara Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3320) Its capital is Jepara town.

History

People believed to have come from South Yunnan region migrated into the northern tip of Java during a time when Jepara was still separated by the Juwana Strait.

In the 16th century, Jepara was an important port; in early 1513, its king, Yunnus (Pati Unus) led an attack against Portuguese Malacca. His force is said to have been made up of one hundred ships and 5000 men from Jepara and Palembang but was defeated. Between 1518 and 1521 he apparently ruled over Demak. The rule of Ratu ('Queen') Kalinyamat in the latter 16th century was, however, Jepara's most influential. Jepara again attacked Malacca in 1551 this time with Johor but was defeated, and in 1574 besieged Malacca for three months.

The regency is the birthplace of Indonesian national heroine Kartini.

Geography Jepara Regency is located in the northeastern coastal region of Central Java, bordering Java Sea in the north and west, Kudus Regency and Pati Regency in the east, and Demak Regency in the south. The eastern border is primarily a mountainous region, with the most notable peak being Mount Muria. The regency also includes the Karimunjawa Archipelago, itself recognized as an administrative district, located in the Java Sea approximately 80 kilometres northwest from the mainland part of Jepara Regency.

Administrative districts Jepara Regency comprises sixteen districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and the 2020 census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates as at mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Jepara Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3320) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 184 rural desa and 11 urban kelurahan - the latter all in Jepara town district), and its post code.

Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Area inkm2 Pop'ncensus2010 Pop'ncensus2020 Pop'nestimatemid 2025 Admincentre No.ofvillages Postcode 33.20.01 Kedung 45.7170,83577,05284,967Bugel1859463 33.20.02 Pecangaan 37.0877,17282,92492,810Lebuawu1259460 33.20.13 Kalinyamatan 25.0358,14061,08767,471Margoyoso1259462 33.20.03 Welahan 29.2169,49675,97183,925Kalipucang Kulon1559464 33.20.04 Mayong 70.6682,83190,788100,619Pelemkerep1859465 33.20.12 Nalumsari 55.2568,60674,73783,731Gemiring Lor1559466 33.20.05 Batealit 96.2077,92384,74193,618Mindahan1159461 33.20.11 Tahunan 42.69101,581108,962119,013Tahunan1559421-59451 33.20.06 Jepara (town) 27.0579,50881,83886,537Panggang1659411-59432 33.20.07 Mlonggo 47.5277,79483,73291,086Jambu859452 33.20.15 Pakis Aji 65.1854,69060,14465,713Lebak859450 33.20.08 Bangsri 90.7993,79899,965107,702Bangsri1259453 33.20.14 Kembang 118.7764,79870,53075,704Jinggotan1159457 33.20.09 Keling 121.0958,43568,04768,864Kelet1259456 33.20.16 Donorojo 101.4152,95858,58163,433Tulakan859454 33.20.10 Karimunjawa 46.628,7159,78910,883Karimunjawa459455 Totals 1,020.251,097,2801,184,9471,296,076Jepara195 Note: (a) comprises 11 urban kelurahan (Bapangan, Bulu, Demaan, Jobokuto, Karangkebagusan, Kauman, Panggang, Pengkol, Potroyudan, Saripan and Ujungbatu) and 5 rural desa.

Contemporary Jepara The population is almost entirely Javanese and over 95% Muslim. As a pesisir ('coastal') area many traders from around the world landed in Jepara centuries ago.

Tourism

Tourism in Jepara is an important component of the economy of Jepara and a significant source of tax revenue. Jepara is a town which is known for its culinary, education, tourism, and rich cultural heritage. There are many possibilities and opportunities for the city to prosper and benefit more, but yet until now the government has not yet fully utilized them. Jepara, although only a small town, has many tourist attractions, with the mountain tourism, beach tourism, underwater tours, tour of the islands. Foreign tourists often visit Tirto Samodra Beach (Bandengan Beach), Karimunjawa Islands (Crimon Java), Kartini Beach, etc.

References

External links Jepara Government