The capital of East Kalimantan is Samarinda. East Kalimantan is rich of oil, coal, gold, wood and natural gas. Based on history note, the eldest Kingdom of Hindu in Indonesia is reside in this area. This conclusion based on note of inscription that being found in 'Lembah Wahau', in north of Tenggarong that coming from 5 century. This eldest Empire of Hindu had mentioned that has done contact with India and Sriwijaya Kingdom. The substitution of this Hindu Empire is Sultanate Kutai that emerging at third century with its capital of in Tenggarong. Kutai then become the center commerce of Denting in this region and Tenggarong become the biggest and busiest town in East Kalimantan, finally shifted by Samarinda and Balikpapan at 20 century. Kalimantan was known as one of main oil producer area in Indonesia. The exploitation of Oilfield in this area have been done since 1897 started from delta area Mahakam River, while distillation area of oil is focused in Balikpapan.
In 1913, the oil production in East Kalimantan can yield half Indonesia's production oil (when below Dutch power) and Balikpapan reach it's glorious from the abundance of oil production in this Mahakam River area. Mahakam River is a busy river with crowded river traffic. Mahakam River has become the main roadway in East Kalimantan. Various vehicles of downstream river go upstream in this river. From navigable Samarinda, Mahakam River towards finite upstream of 523 Km passes various towns and villages, which located in this great river periphery. Public around river build their house above pillars so that remain to be safe although river water bubble up when it rains.
Tourism Sector: East Kalimantan has many attractive tourist sites, ranging from nature tourism to unique traditional culture. The tourist sites include:
Balikpapan:, (Manggar Baru); Forest Tourism (Wana Wisata KM-10) Karang Joang (Balikpapan Utara); Crocodile breeding (Penangkaran Buaya Teritip); Agro Wisata Park(Taman Agro Wisata) KM 25 Karang Joang; People Struggle Monument (Monumen Perjuangan Rakyat); Balikpapan Bay: Wain River (Teluk Balikpapan, Sungai Wain); Lamaru Beach (Pantai Lamaru).
Berau: Derawan island, and it surrounding islands Natural; Water fall Km 19 (Air Terjun Km 19), of Jelarai Selor; Tanah Kuning Beach (Pantai Tanah Kuning), Tanjung Pales; White Mountain (Gunung Putih), Tanjung Pales; Canoi (Arung Jeram), Long Peso.
Tarakan: Nibung Beach (Pantai Nibung), Bunyu; Aural Beach (Pantai Aural), East Tarakan; Japanese Fortress (Benteng Jepang).
Kutai Kartanegara: Jempang, Semayang and Melintang Lake (Danau Jempang, Semayang dan Melintang); Tenggarong Museum (Museum Tenggarong); Tenggarong Wood Museum (Museum Kayu); Tanah Merah Beach (Pantai Tanah Merah), Samboja; Bangkirai Hill (Bukit Bangkirai); Kumala Island (Pulau Kumala).
Kutai Barat: Orchid Forest (Hutan Anggrek ) Kersik Luway; Water Fall (Air Terjun) Jantur Gemuruh; Mencimai Museum (Musium Mencimai); Kutai Timur National Park (Taman Masional Kutai).
Malinau: National Park (Taman National) Kayan Mentarang.
Nunukan:Batu Lumampu Beach (Pantai Batu Lumampu) Sungai Pancong.
Pasir: Mangkulangit Cave (Goa Mangkulangit).Tengkorak Cave; Museum “Sadurengas”; Pasir Mayang Beach and Doyam Seriam Waterfall
Penajam Paser Utara: Tanjung Jumlai Beach (Pantai Tanjung Jumlai), Penajam.
Bontang: Beras Basah Island (Pulau Beras Basah); LNG and Pupuk Kaltim.
Samarinda: Tanah Merah Water Fall (Air terjun Tanah Merah), Lempake; Samarinda Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya Samarinda); Center of Samarinda batik and Weaving (Taman Batik dan Tenun), Crocodille Farm Samarinda Seberang.
