Penajam (Indonesian pronunciation: [pəˈnadʒam]), formerly known as Balikpapan Seberang until 1987, is a district and the administrative capital of Penajam North Paser Regency, in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. As of 2023, it was inhabited by 95,358 people, and currently has the total area of 1,207.37 km2. Its district seat is located at the village of Nipah-Nipah.
The district borders Sepaku to the north, Waru to the southwest, and Long Kali, Paser to the west. It is also separated from Balikpapan (of which the district formerly part of it until 1987) by the Balikpapan Bay to northeast.
History
Etymology
According to local legends, a group of robbers from this town were defeated by another group of robbers from Sangkulirang. This situation forced them to stop (Buginese: pajan) becoming robbers. This word eventually evolved into its current form, Penajam.
Modern history
On 24 April 1969, Penajam was transferred from Kutai to Balikpapan by gubernatorial decree 55/TH-Pem/SK/1969. Since that date, the district had been known as Balikpapan Seberang (lit. "opposite of Balikpapan") until 13 October 1987, when it was transferred again to Pasir Regency by government regulation number 21, and the name change was reverted. On 11 June 1996, the northern parts of the district (12 villages) were separated to form Sepaku.
Geography
Climate
Penajam has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy rainfall year-round.
Governance
Villages
Penajam is divided into the following 23 villages (the rest are urban kelurahan, rural desa are marked by grey background):
References
