The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,504 large and small tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even still unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow. Indonesia has a total population of more than 215 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia. Among the most well known islands are Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), the Maluku Islands (or better known as Moluccas, the original Spice Islands) and Papua. Then, there is Bali (the world’s best island resort” with its enchanting culture, beaches, dynamic dances and music. But Indonesia still has many unexplored islands with grand mountain views, green rainforests to trek through, rolling waves to surf and deep blue pristine seas to dive in where one can swim with dugongs, dolphins and large manta rays. Because of her location, and geology, Indonesia is blessed with the most diverse landscape, from fertile rice lands on Java and Bali to the luxuriant rainforests of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, to the savannah grasslands of the Nusatenggara islands to snow-capped peaks of West Papua.

Scientists have found in north Sulawesi the prehistoric coelacanth fish, a “living fossil” fish, predating the dinosaurs living some 400 million years ago, when whales migrated yearly through these waters from the South Pole. Like a superb wine, Indonesia has aged well. Indonesia fascinates with rich diversity of ancient temples, music—ranging from the traditional to modern pop—dances, rituals and ways of life differing from island to island, and region to region. Yet everywhere the visitor feels welcomed with the warm, gracious innate friendliness of the Indonesian people that is not easily forgotten. The country’s hotels are second to none. In fact, many of the luxurious and unique hotels have constantly been listed as some of the best in the world, located on white sandy beaches, overlooking green river valleys or in the heart of busy capital Jakarta. While Indonesia’s cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, or Makassar are a hive of activities for business and leisure and a paradise for shoppers, offering upscale boutiques selling top brand names, to local goods at road-side stalls. Here gourmets can treat themselves to the many regions’ delectable spicy cuisine or dine sumptuously at international restaurants. And for sheer relaxation, Indonesia spas reinvigorate both body and mind. Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Padang, Bandung, Solo Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar are connected by direct international flights, and many regular and low cast carriers fly passengers to Indonesia’s towns or remote locations. GOVERNMENT The government of Indonesia can be divided into a number of categories. The Indonesian government is a republic as the head of the state is elected after regular elections. The government of Indonesia can be divided into three parts: legislative, executive and judiciary. According to the constitution which was formed in the year 1945, there is minimum amount of separation between the three sections of the government. From 1999 there have been constant changes which have been undertaken in the constitution. Apart from the central government there are also local government systems in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has characteristics of both parliamentary and presidential form of government. The executive branch of the government of Indonesia comprises of the president and vice-president. The United Indonesia Cabinet or Kabinet Indonesia Bersatu is also the part of the executive branch. Another part of the executive is the commander in chief of the armed forces of Indonesia. Legislative branch of the government of Indonesia: The council of the house of Indonesian government is known as Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or the People’s Representative Council. Total member of the council are around 550. The other house is known as Majelis Perusyawaratan Rakyat or People’s Consultative Assembly. The bicameral nature of the Indonesian government was initiated only in 2004.

Indonesia lies between the mainland of Southeast Asia and Australia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world’s largest archipelago state. Indonesia is made up of five main islands – Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan (part of the island of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (the western half of New Guinea) – and 30 small archipelagos. In total, the Indonesian archipelago consists of about 17,508 islands; 6,000 of these are inhabited and stretch over 2,828km (3,000 miles), most lying in a volcanic belt with more than 300 volcanoes, he majority of which are extinct. The landscape varies from island to island, ranging from high mountains and plateaux to coastal lowlands and alluvial belts.

Sunshine is abundant except in rainy season when the sky tends to be cloudy. It is advisable to visit Indonesia during the dry season. Indonesia’s climate can be hot and humid, so bring along sun block and moisturiser. No need to bring umbrellas during the rainy season because they are easy and cheap to pick up anywhere, even in small shops. You might need extra clothing though, and you can purchase this pretty much anywhere.

The majority (about 88%) of the population follows Islam. In fact, Indonesia is the nation with the largest Muslim population. However, freedom of religion is provided by the Indonesian Constitution, which is defined in the First Principle of the State Philosophy, the “Pancasila,” which upholds the belief in one supreme God. Other religions followed in Indonesia are Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Living on more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian nation today counts some 200 million population comprising more than 200 ethnic groups. After independence in 1945, inter-marriages among people of different ethnic groups have welded the population into a more cohesive Indonesian nation.The majority of the population embraces Islam, while in Bali the Hindu religion is predominant. Whereas in areas like the Minahasa in North Sulawesi, the Toraja highlands in South Sulawesi, in the East Nusatenggara islands and in large parts of Papua, in the Batak highlands as well as on Nias island in North Sumatra, the majority are either Catholics or Protestants. On the whole the Indonesian people are religious in nature.