| Area |
1,922,570 sq km (742,308 sq miles). |
| Population |
217,131,000 (2002). |
| Capital |
Jakarta (Java)- population 11,429,400 (2001). |
| Climate |
Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year, higher regions are cooler. |
| Language |
Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. It is similar to Malay and written in the Roman alphabet. In addition there are 250 recognised languages spoken by as many distinct ethnic groups. Many local languages are further sub-divided by special forms of address depending on social status, and all languages are spoken in a variety of local dialects. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and tourism purpose, and many people in the more remote areas have an average command of English. The older generation still tend to speak Dutch as a second language. |
| Religion |
Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. It is similar to Malay and written in the Roman alphabet. In addition there are 250 recognised languages spoken by as many distinct ethnic groups. Many local languages are further sub-divided by special forms of address depending on social status, and all languages are spoken in a variety of local dialects. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and tourism purpose, and many people in the more remote areas have an average command of English. The older generation still tend to speak Dutch as a second language. |
| Time |
There is a Muslim majority of approximately 90 per cent, with Christian, Hindu (mainly in Bali) and Buddhist minorities. Animist beliefs are held in remote
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| Highlights |
The most visited islands of Indonesia are Bali, Lombok and Java. , Bali also known as 'Island of the Gods' has a majestic combination of volcanic mountains, lakes, rivers, huge banana and palm groves, sandy black and white beaches, stepped rice terraces, an exotic culture and above all some of the most friendly people in Asia. Ubud, in the hills north of Denpasar, is cooler and quieter than down on the coast and is the ideal place to really get a feel for Balinese art and culture. Another interesting island is Lombok, with a fascinatingly diverse landscape and home to one of the highest volcanic mountains in the Indonesian archipelago. The nearby Gilis, made up of three small islands, offer some of the most relaxed and outstanding white sand beaches, classic coral and some excellent snorkelling and diving. Central Java is the most 'Indonesian' part of Indonesia and the centre for much of the island's early Buddhist and Hindu culture. Yogyakarta is Java's cultural centre, a relaxed town with an interesting market area amongst a twisting maze of streets and alleys. One of the most famous products from Yogyakarta is Batik. Borobudor is without doubt one of South East Asia's most majestic Buddhist temples. Probably the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world it contains over 3 miles of relief carvings. Prambanan, built in the 9th century AD (fifty years after Borobudur) is Java's largest and most spectacular Hindu temple complex with 240 separate temple ruins. Mount Bromo is one of Java's most exciting active volcanoes. Climbing up to the crater rim you will have outstanding views across to the surrounding steep walled crater rim and nearby volcanoes.
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| Country Facts |
Indonesia lies between the mainland of South-East Asia and Australia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is a long chain of about 17,500 tropical islands offering a rich diversity of cultures, landscape and experiences. It is comprised of six main islands, namely Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Bali, Kalimantan (part of the island of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (the western half of New Guinea) and 30 smaller archipelagos - in total 13,677 islands. Indonesia is the fifth most populous country in the world with around 156 million inhabitants and 60 per cent are crammed into just 7 per cent of the nation's land area - the island of Java. The people are of the Malay race although there are many different groupings and a vast number of local dialects. It remains essentially a rural subsistence economy although Indonesia has vast mineral resources, which are only now starting to be tapped. |