Metro, Indonesia

Metro is an Indonesian city located in Lampung. Founded in 1936, it covers an area of 68.74km2 and had a population of 145,346 at the 2010 Census; the latest official estimate (for January 2014) is 152,428.EtymologyMetro comes from the Javanese word mitro, meaning friend. The name was chosen to remind the migrants to work together.HistoryPrior to 1936, Trimurjo was part of Gunungsugih onder district; it was isolated, without much influence from the indigenous Lampungese people. However, beginning in 1936 the Dutch colonial government sent Javanese migrants to colonise the area, which served to relieve overpopulation on Java, and mitigate the influence of Indonesian independence activists. The first group arrived on 4 April 1936.On 9 June 1937, the name of the area was changed from Trimurjo to Metro and that same year it was established as a separate onder district, with Raden Mas Sudarto as the first assistant district chief. During this same period the Dutch colonial government built more roads, as well as a clinic, police office, and administrative offices. By 1941 a mosque, post office, large market, and inn had been built, and electricity and telephone lines had been installed.Development soon outpaced the natural irrigation capabilities of the area. To ensure proper healthy crops, the Dutch hired Ir. Swam to design an irrigation system. His design called for a levee as well as a 30m wide and 10m deep irrigation canal from Way Sekampung River to Metro. Labour was provided by the migrants, who were conscripted and worked in shifts. Construction began in 1937 and was finished in 1941.