Mataram, city in central Indonesia, on the western coast of the island of Lombok, in the center of the Malay Archipelago. A part of West Nusatengarra province, Mataram is the capital and main city of Lombok. It includes the port town of Ampenan, the towns of Mataram and Cakranegara, and the settlement of Sweta. Cakranegara is Mataram's commercial center, while Ampenan is the site of Mataram University (founded in 1962). As a center of government administration, Mataram has many large, impressive public buildings and substantial houses. The city also has transportation and shopping facilities. The main square is used for art exhibitions, theater, dance, and wayang kulit (puppet theater) performances. In other parts of Mataram, there are a variety of old-style markets and neighborhoods featuring traditional craftwork like basketware and gold- and silver-threaded sarongs, or wraparound garments. The port of Ampenan was once Lombok's main port, but it now relies mostly on fishing vessels and exports of cattle to Java. Cakranegara has significant Balinese and Chinese populations, the Chinese having been brought by the Dutch to provide cheap labor. Population (1997) 314,721.

Restaurants
Rumah Makan Asano in Cilinaya (Ka rank Jankong) is a good Padangrestaurant, 24 hours open, but no beer. Next this restaurant lain depot Dirgahayu a large and well indonesian restaurant. Nice sate & rice campur.
The ikan asin is indeed very salt. Cold beer. Good and cheap food is also possible in the Flamboyan restaurant in Penjanggik (no. 101)th Seafood & indonesian.

Mail matter
The head mail office of lombok lies in Langko. Visiting hours:
Monday - Thursday, Saturday 8.00-20.00 hours, Friday 8.00-11.00/14.00-20.00 hour, Sunday 9.00 13.00.

Banks
Most of the banks are in the Pejanggik, the street which links Mataram with Cakranegara.

Transport
From Mataram to Bangsal 47 km. Banyumulek 5 km. Kuta 56 km. Lembar 22 km, Rambitan 47 km. Senggigi 19 km, Sukarara 19 km. Tanjung to 62 km.

The surroundings of Mataram

Gunung sari
In desa gunung sari, 4 km at north of Mataram, bamboo pieces of furniture are made.

Pura Agung Gunung sari
These on a hillock lain temple marks the spot where Anak Agung Nengah and his followers on 22 November 1884 the puputan, the traditional suicide attack.

Gunung Pengsong
seven km south of Mataram lie some white temples on the capricious slopes of the Gunung Pensong. The temples themselves are not particular interesting but the view which you have there from climbing the long staircase is more than worth. In the
surroundings are many little monkeys present.