Indonesia consists of many islands, and the most populous one is Java Island, while the world famous island Bali is located next to Java, in the eastern part. On this opportunity, we talk about Banten, a province/area located in the western part of Java. Why Banten? First of all because it is the area where our factories, PT. Mitsubishi Chemical Indonesia and PT. MC PET Film Indonesia, are located. We produce purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as well as PET film. In fact, Cilegon Municipality—part of Banten province— is considered as one of the largest Indonesian industrial complexes.
  Banten is also very important to Indonesian history, particularly in the period of the 16th-17th centuries, when as an Islamic Sultanate, Banten enjoyed its glorious and golden age. Banten is one of the gates for Islam to spread across the archipelago, making Indonesia the largest Muslim country on earth. Banten, too, is a symbol of continuous struggle against colonialism, led by one of its Sultans, namely Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. Today, we can still witness such era through some historical spots:
1. "Mesjid Banten," Banten Great Mosque, built in the 17th century and is still now used by Muslims to conduct their rituals, as well as an object of tourism (Picture-1)
2. "Keraton Kaibon," the palace of the Queen's mother (Picture-2)
3. "Benteng Speelwijk," the ruin of Speelwijk fortress—famous for the heroic battle between the Sultanate of Banten and the Dutch army (Picture-3)
  In one of Banten regencies—Lebak Regency—we preserve communities of the traditional tribe of Banten called Baduy. The Baduy live in harmony with nature, maintain their strong culture and tradition to date and avoid "modern" life, such as technology and use of manufactured and artificial products, such as plastic, etc.
  There are two kinds of Baduy communities; one is known as "Outer Baduy" and the other is "Inner Baduy." The "Outer Baduy" is more receptive to modern culture and their role is as a bridge between the "Inner Baduy" and outside community. The "Inner Baduy" however is very isolative and seclusive. They hardly travel outside their own area, are very strict with their tradition and culture, and live in deep country across many rivers, mountain and forest.
  There are still many places in Banten worth visiting; among others is the world renowned Mount Krakatau in Sunda Strait. Since its mega eruption in 1883, affecting almost the world over, the new smaller volcano began to emerge to the surface in 1928 and is now very active. Beaches and little known big-crowned waves in the southern part of Banten (Indian Ocean) are not to be missed by watersports lovers.