Palu, officially known as the City of Palu, is the capital and largest city of the Central Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. It is situated on the northwestern coast of Sulawesi at the mouth of the long Palu River, which features an extensive valley stretching to the south. The city covers a land area of 395.06 km2 and borders Donggala Regency to the north and west, Parigi Moutong Regency to the east, and Sigi Regency to the south.
As a major urban center on the island, Palu serves as the primary hub for finance, government, and education in Central Sulawesi. The city hosts the province's main port, its largest airport, and the majority of its public universities. According to the 2020 Indonesian census, the population was 373,218, with an official estimate reaching 400,055 by mid-2025, making it the third-most populous city on Sulawesi.