Bandung ( or ) is the capital of
West Java province in
Indonesia and the country's third largest city by population, with a population of over 2,4 million in the city itself, while its sprawling built-up (
or metro) area made of 2 municipalities and 38 districts had a population of 6,965,655 inhabitants at the 2010 census. Located 768 metres (2,520 ft)
above sea level, approximately south east of
Jakarta, Bandung has cooler temperatures year-round than most other
Indonesian cities. The city lies on a
river basin surrounded by
volcanic mountains. This topography provides a good natural defense system, which was the primary reason for the
Dutch East Indies government's plan to move the colony capital from Batavia to Bandung.
