Geographic Context

Understanding the boundaries and extent of the Tanjung Balai urban area as defined by the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database.

258,003

Population (2020)

4 km²

Built-up area (2020)

Defining the urban area

In this context, Tanjung Balai refers to the continuously built-up urban area with population density ≥ 1,500 people/km², independent of administrative boundaries. We use the Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Center Database (GHS-UCDB) to define boundaries. See the corresponding area shaded below.

Urban extent map

Tanjung Balai geographic map

Administrative context

Country
Indonesia
Region
Sumatera Utara
City
Tanjung Balai

Data sources

GHS-UCDB R2024A

Global Human Settlement Layer Urban Centre Database. Provides population, built-up area, and boundary definitions for urban centers worldwide.

OpenStreetMap

Street network data used to compute the Street Network Disconnectedness Index (SNDi).

Why use urban centers?

Using consistently defined urban center boundaries allows meaningful comparison across cities and countries, regardless of how local administrative boundaries are drawn. This means Tanjung Balai can be compared to any other city in the world on equal terms.