Bandung is the capital city of the West Java province in Indonesia. It is situated on the western highland of Java island, approximately 135 kilometres southeast of Jakarta. The city lies within a river basin and is surrounded by volcanic mountains.
The region is characterized by its high elevation of 708 meters above sea level, which provides one of the coolest climates among Indonesia's provincial capitals. Historically, the natural defense system provided by the surrounding mountains was the primary reason for the Dutch East Indies government's plan to relocate the capital from Batavia to Bandung.