Mount Merapi is one of the most active mount in the world. Since 1548, this mountain has erupted 68 times. This mountain located in 4 districts within 2 provinces. Mountain's slope in the south side included in the territory of Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province, the other side included in the territory of Central Java Province. They are Magelang District on the west side, Boyolali District on the noth and east side, and Klaten District on the southeast.
Eventhough this mountain is active, it never devoid of climbers and tourists to visit Gunung Merapi National Park in the height of 2,968 meters above sea level. The most dangerous thing about this mountain is the hot cloud that came out when its erupted, who has already taken so much lives. This cloud contains hot gas, volcanic ashes, and rocks comes with eruption, also known as Pyroclastic flow. Locals called it "Wedhus Gembel" or sheep, because of its shape. When it comes out, the temperature extremely high about 1,000 degree Celcius in top of mountain and about 600 degree Celcius below, and it has speed of lighting to decline from top of mountain, about 200 km/h. Its swept everything while descending from top mountain, trees, houses, even its caretaker "Mbah Maridjan" became victims of it. But, this eruption did not scare locals. They believed that the eruption is common natural phenomena and brought prosperity to them.
Mount Merapi is the most popular climbing object, because of its view. Common and closest route is through north side from Selo, Boyolali District, Tlogolele village to be exact. This village located between Merapi mount and Merbabu mount. Through Selo, climbers will reach top of the mountain within 5 hours. There are alternatives routes, through Kaliurang in Sleman District (south side), Sawangan in Magelang District (nothwest), and Kemalang in Klaten District (southeast). Kaliurang route is more steep than the other and took at least 6-7 hours to reach the top of the mountain.
The typical product of this territory is salak fruit, and the most famous are salak Pondoh and salak Nglumut. This species can not grew in other places. If they forced to plant in other places, the fruit does not taste like original one. According to the farmer, whom i speak to, the unique taste of this fruit came from the soil. It contains ashes and sands that came out from mount Merapi. Beside farming, Merapi sand is also known to use as construction materials.
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