Probolinggo Regency (Javanese: ꦏꦧꦸꦥꦠꦺꦤ꧀ꦥꦿꦧꦭꦶꦁꦒ, romanized: Kabupatèn Prabalingga) is a regency in the East Java province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 1,696.17 sq.km, and had a population of 1,096,244 at the 2010 Census and 1,152,537 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 1,217,934 (comprising 600,818 males and 617,116 females). Its capital was formerly the city of Probolinggo, but, following that city becoming an independent administrative entity, the regency capital was moved and is now at the town of Kraksaan.
History
Indonesian National Revolution
The Dutch marines landed in Situbondo on 21 July 1947. They did not meet much resistance from Indonesian forces. Some of them headed west to attacked Probolinggo from the east of the regency. At 16.15 on the same day, the forces supported by armored vehicles already arrived at Kraksaan. At 17.30, they already held the downtown area. On 22 July morning, the Dutch seized the port of the city. They then set up perimeter near the railway, but met heavy resistance there. At night, Indonesian forces launched a counter-attack that made the Dutch forces pulled back to the port area. On 23 July, the Dutch launched an attack in Ledok Ombo village killing 15 soldiers of Indonesian forces.
Indonesian forces launched small scale attacks to the Dutch defensive posts until early August. They also conducted scorched earth strategy to prevent the Dutch forces utilizing Indonesian facilities and food supply.
Government
The administration of Probolinggo city (kota) and Probolinggo regency (kabupaten) has repeatedly been separated and merged. There was a separation of government of Probolinggo city (kotapraja) and the regency based on Ordonantie dated 20 June 1918. Then, according on Ordonantie of 9 August 1928, the city was abolished and the area was merged again into the regency.
Under the Japanese occupation, the administrations were once again separated. The city (under Japanese rule, the level was called shi) mayor (shico) was Gapar Wiryosudibyo, a middle school teacher, while the regency (ken) regent was Nyais Wiryosubroto. Both Probolinggo (shi and ken) were under an administration of Malang-shu (residency).
In late Dutch East Indies rule, there were 3 districts in Probolinggo Regency: Probolinggo, Tongas, and Sukapura. Probolinggo District itself was divided into 5 onderdistriks namely Probolinggo, Kanigaran, Wonoasih, Bantaran, and Leces.
Current
The map of districts in Probolinggo Regency
Probolinggo Regency now consists of twenty-four districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and population totals from the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2025. The table also includes the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 325 rural desa and 5 urban kelurahan - the latter all in Kraksaan District), and its postal codes. Each district has the same name as its administrative centre.
Notes: (a) excluding the village of Besuk, which has a post code of 67283. (b) comprises 5 urban kelurahan (Semampir, Patokan, Sidomukti, Kraksaan Wetan and Kandangjati Kulon) and 13 rural desa. (c) includes the offshore island of Pulau Giliketapang.
There are 11 districts in the west of the regency, with the city of Probolinggo providing a focus - these are Sukapura, Sumber, Kuripan, Bantaran, Leces, Tegalsiwalan, Dringu, Wonomerto, Lumbank, Tongas and Sumberasih Districts. The other 13 districts are in the east of the regency, centred on Kraksaan District.
Tourism
Madakaripura Waterfall near BromoThe Jabung temple
Probolinggo Regency has various tourist attractions including Mount Bromo, Madakaripura waterfall, white water rafting along the Pekalen River, and also the Jabung Buddhist temple.
Rafting on the Pekalen River
The location is about one hour from Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, from which the Pekalen River flows to the city of Probolinggo, wth difficulties up to grade 3+. There are many bat caves and also small waterfalls along the cliffs along Pekalen River which are difficult to find at other rivers.
References
123Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Probolinggo Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3513)
Sapto, Ari (2020). Gerilya Republik di Kota Probolinggo 1947-1949[Republic's Guerrilla in Probolinggo City 1947-1949]. Matapadi. ISBN978-602-1634-42-4.
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