BLITAR

city and kabupaten (regency), Jawa Timur propinsi (East Java province), Java, Indonesia. It is located 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Surabaya, the provincial capital. The city lies at an elevation of 528 feet (161 m) above sea level. Linked by road and railway with Malang to the east and with Tulungagung to the west, it has a rural character because of the ancient temples and historical sites located in and around the city. Blitar is a trade and transshipment centre for commodities including coffee, rice, sugar, rubber, peanuts (groundnuts), and cassava. Its industries produce iron and copper ware, woodwork, tiles and slates, processed rubber, footwear, tires, and textiles. The population is mainly Javanese. The graves of Sukarno, Indonesia's disgraced revolutionary hero and first president, and of his mother are located in the vicinity of Blitar. To the south of the city are the Gedo and Arju temples; along the highway from Wlinge to Malang are the remains of the Salaraja temple; 37 miles (60 km) south is the Pautai Serang beach; and 7 miles (11 km) south is the Holy Gong of Lodoyo. Pop (1980) city, 78,503; regency, 1,037,258.