The Majapahit dynasts based in and around East Java, began the foundations of an empire that was to dominate the entire Indonesian archipelago, the Malay Peninsula and part of the Philippines for hundreds of years. This was the beginning of profitable trade relations with China, Cambodia, Siam, Burma and Vietnam. As power in Central Java declined in the 10th century, powerful kingdoms rose in East Java to fill the power vacuum. During the reign of King Erlangga both East Java and Bali enjoyed lucrative trade with the surrounding islands, and an artistic and intellectual renaissance. Parts of the Mahabarata epic were translated and re-interpreted to conform to an East Javanese philosophy and view of life, and it was from this era that East Java inherited much of its temple art.

Today the open-air amphitheater at Pandaan performances tells some of the stories of this glorious past, set against an impressive back drop of distant volcanoes, capturing the spirit of the province's culture and scenery. East Java's claim to fame in modern history is its vanguard role in the struggle for independence against Colonial forces in 1945.

Little of the Majapahit Empire's former glory still stands East Java Nevertheless, East Java has a variety of attractions, ranging from temple sites to unspoiled beaches, stunning volcanoes, extraordinary highland lakes, resplendent marine parks and fantastic wildlife reserves. Magnificent mountain scenery includes the crater and Legendary sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the "sulphur mountain" of Welirang and the rugged Ijen Plateau. The island of Madura, famous for its bull races, is also part of the province and has its own traditions, culture and language.

The provincial capital, Surabaya is second in size, population, and commerce only to Jakarta. It is also the most industrialized province in the nation with a strong economy based on agriculture, (coffee, mangoes, and apples), fisheries and oil.

The province is efficiently connected to the rest of Java by good roads regular trains, and air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Denpasar on Bali, which is only half an hour' flight away.

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