The remote city that’s the only one in the world to sit right on the equator

This city, which was founded first as a trading port, has many interesting features. But what makes it truly unique is the fact that it is the only city that sits right on the .

Pontianak is the capital of the province of West Kalimantan and is home to just over 675,000, making it Indonesia’s 23^rd most populous city. It is also known as the Kota Khatulistiwa (Equatorial City) because of where it is found.

Although there are several countries and, of course, even more cities that lie on the equator, Indonesian cities are the only ones found right on the invisible line that separates the Earth’s hemispheres. 

And the country has something special to highlight that. 

The Equator monument at Sintang is made up of four ironwood poles constructed to keep an arrow as a symbol of orientation and mark the spot at zero degrees on the equator.

It was first built in 1928 by a Dutch geographer and took two years to complete before being rebuilt 10 years later by an Indonesian architect named French Silaban. 

The original design of the monument is still visible inside. In 1990, the landmark was renovated and a dome was added to protect it. A duplicate of the monument was made, which is five times larger than the original size.

The monument itself doesn’t sit right on the equator, as it is constantly moving due to . Still, it is found in Jalan Khatulistiwa, translated into Equator Road, just three kilometres from the city centre of Pontianak.

Twice a year, visitors and locals can see something incredible. A five-minute shadowless moment occurs in the area, which attracts both tourists and locals to come and experience the amazing moment. 

Pontianak is also known for its vibrant culture and plush landscapes. The city passes the Landak River and Kapuas River, the longest in Indonesia. It also has great mountains dotted around for hikers, including Mount Kelam, which sits 75 metres above sea level. 

Two museums in the city tell the stories of the province’s history. West Kalimantan Provincial Museum has artefacts such as tribal clothing and handicrafts, which date back to the 16th century, and visitors can learn more about the history of one of the world’s most interesting cities.