Tegal

Tegal is a city in the northwest part of the province of Central Java, Indonesia. It is situated on the north coast (or pesisir) of Central Java, about 175 km (109 mi) from Semarang, the capital of the province. It had a population of 239,599 at the 2010 Census and 273,825 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid-2025 was 297,173 (comprising 149,957 males and 147,216 females). The city is administratively separate from Tegal Regency, which borders it to the south and east; Brebes Regency borders it to the west. As originally calculated, the metropolitan area of the city and surrounding districts within Tegal Regency at the 1990 Census was 719,847 (not including 289,103 inhabitants within Brebes Regency). Its built-up (or metro) area made up of Tegal Municipality and 12 districts spread over Tegal and Brebes Regencies was home to 1,410,124 inhabitants as at the 2010 census and 1,602,546 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 1,698,092. The Dutch East Indies colonial sugar industry originated in Tegal and the nearby city of Pekalongan, approximately 50 km (31 mi) to the east. Tegal Regency remained a major sugar production center until the mid-20th century. The city served as a port for exporting sugar produced on the nearby plantations. Tegal is famous for its warung, commonly called "warteg" or warung tegal. It is also known for its tea products, such as teh botol Sosro, Tong Tji tea, 2 Tang tea, Gopek tea, and other brands.