Wonosobo Regency in one of the regencies in Jawa Tengah, which covers an area of 984.67 square kilometers. It is located 145 kilometers to the southwest of Semarang, Jawa Tengah's provincial capital. It is a mountainous region, with altitude ranging from 275 to 2,100 meters above sea level. In the east are the mountains Sindoro and Sumbing, in south Perahu and the Dieng Plateau. To the west is the Kulon mountain range.About seventeen kilometers to the east of Wonosobo is Pagerejo Village, a village in the Kertek district, which is much visited by pilgrims during the month of Suro, who go there to bathe, wash and take home the water from the Surodilogo Spring, which they believe to be holy and invested with mystical power. In addition, there are Tampomas and Kawarasan Mountain, which can be watched from a distance of not closer than one kilometer. Hail often occurs during the rainy season.
Other resorts in the Wonosobo area are Bedakah Reservoir and Sikarim Waterfall. And Mangli is a natural pool not far from Wonosobo. The name Wonosobo comes from Javanese word: Wono means forest or a certain resort in the country, and Sobo means to visit. Thus, we can say that Wonosobo is an exciting country resort, which attracts people to come to visit it.
Its natural conditions with cool and nice weather an average temperature of 24oCelsius can guarantee you in finding quiet and peaceful place to enjoy and rest body, soul and mind.The most local industries are mushroom, tea wood and tobacco. While other, mainly are handcrafts, are run by small holders in what people call Home Industries which includes bamboo, pandan fiber waving, iron, wood and leather crafts.
Tambi Tea Plantation is well known since the Dutch Government era produces high quality black tea, now is opened to tourist see and enjoys its beauty and taste the best tea.
Geography
Wonosobo regency has nearly 725,000 inhabitants spread over 948,68 square kilometers. The average population is increasing at the rate of 2,2% per year. Wonosobo regency lays approximately 70 such of the equator and bathed is rains almost all year long.
Usually no rainfall is more between June and August. Average yearly rainfall is more than 2500 mm per year. Average temperature range between 100 minimums and 300 maximum. The city Wonosobo, with population of over 20,000 lies 700 meters above sea level, about 105 kilometers by road from Yogyakarta, the second Tourist Destination Area in Indonesia after Bali. The city lies midway on axis in Semarang-Cilacap, and linked to road to other part of Java.
Livelihood
The soil is fertile and it is natural enough that the people of Wonosobo follow an agrarian way of life. Most of the population grows tobacco, clove, potatoes, corns and other. Rice paddy is also grown due to the better irrigation system.
Religion
In spite of the various religious denominations existing in Wonosobo Regency, there is evidence of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This is shown by the government have their followers. Of the population, 98,34% are Islam, 0,89% Catholic, 0,73% Protestant, 0,042% Hindu or Buddhist.
Language
Javanese is the local language, but the national language Indonesia is spoken everywhere. English is widely understood and is spoken by guides, government officials, leading businessmen and students.
Government
The city of Wonosobo is not the original capital of the present Wonosobo Regency because the center of Government has undergone four times removals during the second Mataram Kingdom. It was in the Selomanik Village under the leadership of Tumenggung (former title of Regent). Kartowarso with Ki Butowereng as the Patih (senior assistant of Regent). Twenty-five years later moved to Pacekelan under Ki Tumenggung Wiroduto.
Under Ki Tumenggung Jogonegoro (the successor), it was moved to Ledok (Wonosobo Ledok) Plobangan and then to Selomerto. By the next successor, Tumenggung Seconegoro, the center of Government was moved to present of Wonosobo.
It was told that Tumenggung Seconegoro built present residence of the Regent.
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