Land area : 2 million sq. km. (736,000 sq. mi.)
Maritime area : 7,900,000 sq. km. The world's largest archipelago with more than 17,000 islands ; 6,000 are inhabited; 1,000 of which are permanently settled.
Major islands : Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi, Papua.
Terrain : Coastal plains with mountainous interiors.
Capital : Jakarta (around 10 million of population, largest city).
Other major cities : Surabaya (2nd largest city), and Bandung (3rd largest city), Medan, Batam, Padang, Palembang, Semarang, Yogjakarta, Denpasar, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Makassar, Manado.
Climate: Tropical; cooler in the highlands 16-35?C(77?-90?F)
Population: 245 million (Indonesia is currently the world's fourth-most populous nation), 110 million of which live on the island of Java.
Ethnic: 300 ethnic groups, which include numerous related but distinct cultural and linguistic groups, many of which are ethnically Malay.
Major ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, coastal Malays 7.5% and others 33.5%.
National language: Bahasa Indonesia (a form of Malay language). English is the most widely spoken foreign language.
Religion: 87% Islam, 6% Protestant, 3% Catholic, 2% Hindu, 1% Buddhist and other.
Literacy: 85%.
Government and Political Environmen
Form: Unitary republic; proclaimed independence from the Dutch on August 17, 1945. Executive branches: president (head of government and chief of state), 1 vice president and 34 cabinet ministers. President and vice president are elected by direct popular vote. Legislative branch: 550-member House of Representatives (DPR) elected for 5-year term. Judicial branch: Supreme Court. Indonesia conducted legislative elections on April , 2009, and presidential elections on July 5, 2009, which successfully elected Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as Indonesia's sixth president and Boediono as vice president. Both legislative and presidential elections were shaped by recent constitutional reforms that include the direct election of the president and vice-president and the creation of a second legislative chamber. President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono have managed to create a good relationship with the parliament as such that political stability has improved dramatically. CultureIndonesia is blessed with a rich and diverse mix of traditional cultures and art forms. The basic principles, which guide life across this colorful tapestry of life-styles, include the concepts of mutual assistance or ?gotong royong? and communal meetings and gatherings or "musyawarah" to arrive at a consensus or "mufakat". Derived from the traditions of agriculturally based rural life, this system is still very much in use in community life throughout the country. Social life, as well as rites of passage, is steeped in ancient traditions and customs, or "adat" laws have a binding impact on Indonesia life and have been instrumental in maintaining equal rights for women in the community. Religious influences on communal life vary from island to island and village to village, depending on local history. Art forms in Indonesia are not only derived from folklore, as in many other parts of the world. Many were developed in the courts of former kingdoms, as in Bali, where they are integral elements of religious ceremonies. The famous dance dramas of Java and Bali are derived from Hindu mythology and often feature fragments from the Ramayana and Mahabrata Hindu epics. Language and DialectsThere are about 583 languages spoken by as many distinct ethnic groups across the archipelago. There are five main language groups on Sumatra alone, six on Sulawesi and three on Java. One small island, Alor in Nusa Tenggara has seven different language groups! The Balinese speak their own language, and many local languages are further divided by special forms for addressing someone of inferior, equal or superior social status. Adding even more spice to this linguistic stew, all these language are also spoken in a number of different local dialects. Bahasa Indonesia, the official national language, is akin to Malay, and is written in Roman script and based on European orthography. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and travel alike. Wherever you go you will be greeted by the familiar ?Hello Mr.! (Regardless of your sex)?. In some of the bigger cities and tourist destinations, Dutch is still used, and the influence of Dutch in Bahasa Indonesia is quite obvious. French is increasing its popularity in the better hotels and restaurants. ReligionThe majority (about 85%) of the population follows Islam, Freedom of religion is protected by the Indonesia Constitution, which is defined in the First Principle of the State Philosophy "Pancasila". There are five big religions in Indonesia: Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddha. The majority of the population follows Islam. The Christians and Catholics are in North Sumatra, some in Java and widely spread in the eastern part of Indonesia. Hindu is followed mostly in Bali and Buddhism can be found in Java and several other islands in Indonesia. Although Islam is the majority but constitutionally Indonesia is not an Islamic state. Since long, all the followers of those five religions live peacefully together in harmony. Welcome To Indonesia...and Enjoy the Land of Heaven.. |
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