Tegal is a large city in the northwest part of Central Java Province of Indonesia. It is situated on the north coast of Central Java, about 175 kilometres from Semarang, the capital of the province. It had a population of 239,599 at the 2010 Census and 276,734 at the 2015 Census. Its built-up area made up of Tegal Municipality and 12 districts spread over Tegal and Brebes Regencies was home to 1,366,858 inhabitants as of 2010 census. It is administratively separate from Tegal Regency, which borders it to the south and east; Brebes Regency borders it to the west.
The Dutch East Indies colonial sugar industry originated in Tegal and the nearby city of Pekalongan, approximately 50 kilometres to the east. Tegal Regency remained a major sugar production center until the mid-20th century. The city served as a port for exporting sugar produced on the nearby plantations. Tegal is famous for its warung, commonly called "warteg" or warung tegal. It is also known for its tea products, such as teh botol Sosro, Tong Tji tea, 2 Tang tea, Gopek tea and other brands.