Wonderful Indonesia
Learn about Indonesia's Unity in Diversity
Overview
Indonesia is officially the Republic of Indonesia. The currency of Indonesia is the rupiah (Rp). Indonesia's motto "Unity in Diversity" captures the rich blend of various cultures and ethnicities in Indonesia living together in harmony. A great example of religious harmony is the "tunnel of friendship" (Silaturahmi Tunnel) adjoining Jakarta Cathedral, the city's most important Christian church, to Istiqlal Mosque. The renovation began in May 2019 and the tunnel will solidify the cooperative relationship between the church and the mosque. As one of the most ethnically diverse societies, Indonesia consists of 1,300 ethnic groups with at least 95% native to the archipelago. Minority migrant groups, such as Chinese, Arab and Indian, make up the remainder.
Geography
Indonesia is a vast country comprising 17,000 islands. It is the world's largest island country and the 14th-largest country by area, at 1,904,569 square kilometres. The distance from the west end to the east end is approximately 5,000 kilometres. Indonesia's largest islands, according to rank, are Irian Jaya, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Sulawesi and Java. Indonesia is located between the continents of Asia and Australia, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The country is also located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.
Population
Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world after China, India and the United States. On September 30th 2021, Indonesia's population reached 277 million people, and the population is growing at a rate of over 1% per year. Roughly 150 million people (over 50%) reside on the island of Java.
Language
Indonesian (bahasa Indonesia) is a standardised variety of Malay (bahasa Melayu). Indonesian is an Austronesian language that has been used as a lingua franca in the multilingual Indonesian archipelago for centuries. Most Indonesians, aside from speaking the national language, are fluent in at least one of the more than 700 indigenous local languages; examples include Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese, which are commonly used at home and within the local community. However, most formal education and nearly all national mass media, governance, administration, and judiciary and other forms of communication are conducted in Indonesian.
Travelling in Indonesia
Indonesia is so diverse in its landscapes, landmarks and cultural makeup that the experience of travelling in one part of the country is unique to another. Click the button below.
- If you are interested in the majestic orangutans, great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia, and their conservation, consider visiting Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, not far from the small city of Pangkalan Bun. Canadian researcher Dr Biruté Galdikas' rehabilitation program has successfully returned nearly 200 orangutans to the wild, and Tanjung Puting now boasts the largest wild orangutan population in the world. It’s one of the few places where tourists can see wild and rehabilitated orangutans in their natural environment.
- For the seafood lover, consider dining at Bandar Djakarta restaurant. As a major metropolis, many people forget that Jakarta is still a seaside city with access to the freshest seafood. Bandar Djakarta serves some of the best seafood dishes in a modern setting. Diners can choose fresh fish, crabs, clams, and prawns, directly from the aquarium. Even with the endless food and restaurant options in Jakarta this restaurant remains in high demand, serving hundreds daily and even more on special occasions. If seafood isn't your preference, eat fried chicken, the restaraunt's most ordered dish, at Ayam Goreng Suharti. Established since 1972, Ayam Goreng Suharti is a favorite family restaurant from generations to generations. The fried chicken there is seasoned with a secret recipe by Mrs. Suharti. The chicken is tender and the marinade is delicious to the flesh. Ayam Goreng Suharti is everywhere in the city, including in Menteng and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, and Rawamangun in East Jakarta.
- To witness beautiful pink sand beaches, visit Komodo National Park, a group of islands in east Indonesia. The closest city is the fishing town of Labuan Bajo in Flores, which has its own airport and plenty of hotels and restaurants. From Labuan Bajo, you can catch a boat to Komodo Island and spend the day appreciating the fresh features of the pink beach with its light reddish sand colour and turquoise water.
- Located on the island of Java, the magnificent Borobudur temple is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, an ancient site widely considered to be one of the world’s seven wonders. The temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian. Arrive in the early morning to witness the gorgeus sunrise, light spilling through the ancient stone monuments, as you sit near stupas on the upper level of the multi-layered temple compound.
Wildlife Conservation
Indonesia’s diverse range of fauna is unparalleled across the world. However, through habitat destruction and illegal poaching, the very real threat of extinction is increasing day by day.
Read about the biggest environmental issues facing Indonesia.