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 Palu River, which features an extensive valley extending southward. 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 city had a population of 373,218, making it the third-most populous city on the island after Makassar and Manado.