Pontianak, city in western Indonesia, on the island of Borneo, capital of West Kalimantan Province, at the junction of the Little Kapuas and Landak rivers, near the South China Sea. Pontianak is a leading port and trading center of western Borneo, and its exports include copra, rubber, timber, and palm oil. Pepper is grown here, and gold deposits lie in the vicinity. Tanjungpura University (1959) is in the city. Pontianak was the capital of a former sultanate; a Dutch trading station was established here in 1778. Many people of Chinese descent live in the city. Population (1997 estimate) 469,000.
