Merdeka Square, Jakarta

Merdeka Square (Indonesian: Medan Merdeka or Lapangan Merdeka lit. "independence Square"; formerly Dutch: Koningsplein, lit. "King's Square") is a large square located in the center of Jakarta, Indonesia. Measuring approximately one square kilometer per area, if the surrounding fields within the Merdeka Square are included, it is considered one of the largest squares in the world. At 100 hectares, it is over two times the size of Tiananmen Square, and 8 times the size of Place de la Concorde. At its center stands the National Monument, often called Monas (Monumen Nasional). The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events such as military and float parades, as well as civic demonstrations. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical fountain in western side, and a deer enclosure where deer roam among the shady trees in the southeast corner. The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends. It is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace, the National Museum, the National Library, Jakarta City Hall, Istiqlal Mosque, the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries. During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein (King's square).