History of the Equator Monument
Tugu Khatulistiwa marks the area crossed by the equator on Jalan Khatulistiwa in Batu Layang, North Pontianak. More than a photo stop, it connects geography, astronomy and the history of mapping.
Its form did not appear all at once. The present monument is the result of several marking stages that began as a geographical-survey tool in the early 20th century.
First marking (1928)
An expedition team used a wooden stake to mark the zero-degree latitude at Pontianak. This became the public's first introduction to the area.
Evolving form (1930–1938)
The marker was renewed as a cylindrical iron post, then a structure with an arrow and ring that clarified the zero-degree position for visitors.
Modern expansion (1990)
A major expansion created the monument visitors recognise today, while protecting traces of the early marker within its complex.
Frequently asked questions
01When was the Equator Monument first built?+
The first version was installed in 1928 as a geographical-survey marker, not the visitor monument known today.
02Why did its form change several times?+
The shape evolved with mapping research and site expansion until it became the complete monument in 1990.
03Does the original marker still exist?+
Traces of the early marker are preserved within the present monument complex, so visitors can see how the marking evolved.