Ketapang is named from the localMalay name for ketapang tree. In 1936, Ketapang regency became one of the Afdeling in Keresidenan Kalimantan Barat. In 1956, Ketapang regency became an autonomous regency in West Kalimantan province, and led by a regent.
Administration
In formal Indonesian administrative subdivision, Ketapang is not a city. The name of Ketapang is only referred for Ketapang Regency. Although there is no exact border of the city, most of the government offices and the central of business of Ketapang Regency are located in Delta PawanDistrict and because of that the district is considered as the capital of the regency. The district itself is located on the delta of the Pawan River.
The three hospitals located in the city are RSUD Dr. Agoesdjam, RS Fatima, and RS Permata Bunda.
Demographics
Ketapang is a multicultural city. It has a large population of Chinese. Madurese and Javanese are significant minorities, in terms of size. Most Chinese residents in Ketapang are of either Teochew or Hakka descent with Teochew being the majority. Because of this, Teochew is the main dialect used among Chinese residents in Ketapang. The native Indonesians living there are mainly of Malay and Dayak descent. In regards to speech, most citizens of Ketapang incorporate a type of Malay accent in their Indonesian, which is somewhat similar to that used in Malaysia.
Transportation
Ketapang is served by the Ketapang Airport. The airport has some connecting flights to Pontianak and Semarang via Pangkalan Bun. Since February 2011, Ketapang also has direct flight to Jakarta, by Aviastar. Aviastar stopped the service in 2018. Ketapang can also be reached via ship from Pontianak. The ship also stopped the service in 2018. But there are some ship from Teluk Melano, 2 hours drive from Ketapang and home pick-up included, to Pontianak everyday. Pontianak's airport serves flights to Jakarta. By 2019, it is possible to drive to Pontianak by car in about 12 hours passing Trans-Kalimantan road.
Main sights
Gunung Palung National Park, a rainforest park that can be reached from Ketapang. It was once wholly part of Ketapang regency, but now only a small part is, the rest in the regency that is named Kayong Utara or North Kayong. Kayong is the nickname of Ketapang.
Pematang Gadung, The Peat Forest, the home of wild Orangutan.
Makam Raja-Raja Tanjungpura, 3 hour from Ketapang city, by motorcycle and small boat that carries motorcycle through a section of road that is flooded. The flooded section is being repaired in 2019.
