Cilacap is the capital of the Cilacap Regency. The Regency of Cilacap is stretching an area of 2,142.57 square kilometers, and divided into 19 subdistricts and more than 225 villages. It is also the only major port on the south coast of Java. The State oil Company (Pertamina) has refineries, storage and port facilities in Cilacap.
The area of Cilacap is wellknown for its cliffs and the wild Indonesia sea. Most travellers come to Cilacap when in order to catch the ship to Kalipucang or Pangandaran. But there is much more to see Cilacap like Cilacap's natural harbor, which can be used by large sea going ships, and which is protected by the Nusakambangan Island. There is also a fort, which was built in the 17th century by Sultan Agung of Mataram.
This fort has already underground many restorations, by the Dutch, whose used the fort to guard the city Cilacap and recently it has been restored by private investors. Visitors can also have a view on the Teluk Penyu Beach (Turtle Beach) and the mysterious ruins of Benteng Pendem (burried fortress). Besides this, there are also many souvenir shops which sell sea, shell craft, billiard halls for the sailors and a children's playground.
Many Wijayakusuma plants grow in this area. Their beautiful flowers bloom far a single night, then wither and die.