Tarakan is an island and the sole city located within the Indonesian province of North Kalimantan. Situated in northern Borneo, it is positioned midway along the coast of the province. The city's administrative boundaries are co-extensive with the island itself, making it the largest urban area in North Kalimantan by population.
Historically, Tarakan served as a major oil-producing region during the colonial period and held significant strategic importance during the Pacific War. It was notably among the first Japanese targets early in that conflict. As of mid-2024, the city's official estimated population is 255,310.