Geography

Indonesia is a nation of islands. According to the country's Naval Hydro-Oceanographic Office, it contains some 17,508 islands, although only about 6,000 are inhabited. In fact, the country's island identity is part of its name. “ Indonesia ” has its roots in two Greek words: Indos meaning “Indian” and Nesos which means “islands.”

The country stretches around the equator for 5,150 km (3,200 miles) – roughly the distance between Los Angeles and New York . The comparative map below should give you an idea of the country's size. It is the largest archipelago in the world.

Strategically, the country lies between the Australian and Asian continents and the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Seas and oceans comprise 81 percent of the total area of the Republic. Of its land area of 1,919,440 sq km, rivers and lakes occupy 93,000 sq km and land features 1,826,440 sq km.

Five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagos are home to the majority of the population. The main islands are Kalimantan (1,539,400 sq km), Sumatra (473,606 sq km), Irian Jaya (421,981 sq km), Sulawesi (189,216 sq km), and Java (132,187 sq km). Java alone is home to roughly 70 percent of the country's population!

Indonesia shares the island of Papua with Papua New Guinea and the island of Kalimantan with Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Across the country, the land is generally covered by thick tropical rain forests, where fertile soil is continuously replenished by volcanic eruptions like those on the island of Java . But Indonesia is also mountainous, with some 400 volcanoes, of which 100 are still active.

Climate and Weather
Indonesia 's monsoon-type climate changes approximately every six months, although, in recent years, global warming has somewhat disrupted weather patterns. The dry season for the west part of Indonesia is from May to October and the wet season is from November to April. The dry and wet seasons in eastern Indonesia are the opposite.

Due to the large number of islands and mountains in the country, temperatures vary. Along the coastal plains, the average is 28?C (82?F); for inland and mountain areas, it is 26?C (79?F); and, in the higher mountain areas, the average is around 23?C (73?F). Like other tropical countries, Indonesia has a high average relative humidity, usually between 73 and 87 percent.

Flora and Fauna

According to a 2003 count, Indonesia is home to 234,893,453 people, making it the world’s fourth most populous nation after China, India and United States. The work force (15-64 yrs of age) is 65.4 percent of the total population and consists of 76,743,613 males and 76,845,245 females.

The implementation of a comprehensive family planning program over the last three decades has resulted in controlled population growth. The growth rate has fallen from over 2.3 percent in 1972 to 1.5 percent in 2003.

A Diverse Nation
In its ethnic groups, languages, culture, and religion, Indonesia is a very diverse nation. This great diversity is reflected in the country’s national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika which means “Unity in Diversity.”

1. Ethnic Groups
   Some 300 ethnic groups call Indonesia home, but most (45 percent) of Indonesians are Javanese. In addition, 14 percent are Sundanese, 7.5 percent Madurese, 7.5 percent coastal Malays, and 26 percent are of other ethnic groups.
2. Languages
   There are more than 700 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. They normally belong to the different ethnic groups of the population. Some of the distinctly different local languages are: Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak, Tetum of Timor, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese, Halmahera, Ambonese, Ceramese, and several Irianese languages. To make the picture even more colorful, these languages are also spoken in different  dialects.
   
   Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. It is similar to Malay and written in Roman script based on European orthography. English is the most prevalent foreign language. Also, some Dutch is still spoken and understood in the bigger cities and French increasing in its popularity at the better hotels and restaurants.
3. Culture
   Indonesia’s active history has encouraged the growth of many unique cultures. On Java, the Javanese of Central and East Java are known for having several layers of formality in their language. In Javanese, to speak to a boss and then to a child is like speaking two different languages. The Toraja of Sulawesi are famous for their elaborate funeral ceremonies. Often several days long, these ceremonies bring the whole village together in a feast, a procession, and a hillside burial. And the Minangkabau of Sumatra still maintain a matrilineal society. Everything from houses to animals is inherited from mother to daughter.
   
   Today, the country maintains this cultural richness, even as it expands into new areas. The traditional music of the gamelan and angklung coexists with new dangdut and rock and roll. The ancient art of wayang kulit, or shadow puppetry, complements the modern Indonesian film industry. And, while the themes and story from historic epics like the Ramayana persist, newer literature like that of the author Pramoedya Ananta Toer has become an irrevocable part of Indonesian culture
4. Religion
   Six world religions are formally recognized in Indonesia: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Confucianism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Nevertheless, other faiths can be found, especially in isolated societies. These religions, called traditional faiths, are also accepted. According to recent counts, approximately 85 percent of the population is Muslim, 11 percent is Christian (Protestants and Catholics), and 4 percent is Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, or traditional.

The current national Government of Indonesia is led largely by officials elected in 2004. That year, Indonesian citizens voted in both presidential and legislative elections.

In the presidential election, voters decided on a ticket led by Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the former Coordinating Minister for Political, Justice, and Security Affairs, and Mr. Jusuf Kalla, a leading legislator and former Minister for Industry. Together, the pair received over 60 percent of the ballot. Out of 150 million registered voters, 110 million voted, giving the election a high turnout rate of over 70 percent.

Ministries
Following their election, the president and vice president worked with the legislature to appoint a cabinet. Details of the current members of the cabinet, along with the ministry to which they are attached, can be found here.

Legislature
Indonesia’s legislative body, the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, or MPR, also held welcomed new members in 2004. Over 113 million people voted to determine their national representation.

The People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR) is the highest governing body in Indonesia, as set by the 1945 Constitution.

In accordance with Law No.16/1960, the assembly was formed after the first general election of 1971. It was decided at that time that the membership of the Assembly would be twice that of the Representative House.

The 920 membership of MPR continued for the periods of 1977-1982 and 1982-1987. For the periods 1987-1992, 1992-1997, and 1997-1999 the MPR's membership became 1000. One hundred members were appointed representing delegations from groups as addition to the faction delegates of Karya Pembangunan (FKP), Partai Demokrasi Indonesia (FPDI), and Persatuan Pembangunan (FPP). For the period of the 1999-2004 the membership of MPR was only 700, and for 2004-2009 period the MPR membership is 678.

Following the election, Mr. Hidayat Nur Wahid became the Chairman of the MPR and Mr. Agung Laksono became the Chairman of the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, or DPR.

The People's Representative Council (Indonesian: Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat/DPR) is the lower house of the legislature of Indonesia. Before the 2004 election, the DPR had 500 members, of whom 462 were elected by proportional representation from each of Indonesia's 27 provinces, and 38 were chosen to represent the Indonesian armed forces and police. From 2004 these seats have been abolished, and the new DPR will have 550 members elected by the people.

The Regional Representatives Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat/DPD) is a second chamber with limited powers.

The DPD was created by the Third Amendment to the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia enacted 9 November 2001 in a move towards bicameralism. The DPD does not have the revising powers of an upper house like the United States Senate. Article 22D restricts the DPD to dealing with bills on 'regional autonomy, the relationship of central and local government, formation, expansion and merger of regions, management of natural resources and other economic resources, and Bills related to the financial balance between the centre and the regions.'

United Indonesia Cabinet (KABINET INDONESIA BERSATU)
9 May 2007

President                            Dr. H Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
www.presidensby.info
Vice President                  Drs. H.M. Jusuf Kalla
www.setwapres.go.id

Currently, Indonesia has 33 provinces (of those, 2 are have special status and 1 special capital region). The provinces are subdivided into regencies and cities, which are in turn split up in sub-districts.
The provinces are:

1. Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD)*
2. Bali
3. Banten
4. Bengkulu
5. Gorontalo
6. Irian Jaya Barat (West Irian Jaya)
7. Jakarta**
8. Jambi
9. Jawa Barat (West Java)
10. Jawa Tengah (Central Java)
11. Jawa Timur (East Java)
12. Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan)
13. Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan)
14. Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan)
15. Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan)
16. Kepulauan Bangka-Belitung (Bangka-Belitung Islands)
17. Kepulauan Riau (Riau Islands)
18. Lampung
19. Maluku
20. Maluku Utara (North Maluku)
21. Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara)
22. Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara)
23. Papua*
24. Riau
25. Sulawesi Barat (West Sulawesi)
26. Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi)
27. Sulawesi Tengah (Central Sulawesi)
28. Sulawesi Tenggara (South East Sulawesi)
29. Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi)
30. Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra)
31. Sumatera Selatan (South Sumatra)
32. Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra)
33. Yogyakarta*.

(*) The provinces which have special status.

The Special territories have more autonomy from the central government than other provinces, and so have unique legislative privileges: the Acehnese government has the right to create an independent legal system, and instituted a form of sharia (Islamic Law) in 2003; Yogyakarta remains a sultanate whose sultan (currently the widely popular Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X) is the territory's de facto governor for life. Papua (formerly called Irian Jaya) have had special status since 2001.

The special capital region is Jakarta. Though Jakarta is a single city, it is administered much as any other Indonesian province. For example, Jakarta has a governor (instead of a mayor), and is divided into several sub-regions with their own administrative systems.

Ancient Times

Historians believe that Indonesia was linked with the Asian mainland during the Pleistocene period (four million BC). This period was also related to the first appearance of the Hominids; what is today called ‘Java Man’ inhabited Indonesia as early as two million to 500,000 years ago. ‘Java Man’ is a short name for Pithecanthropus Erectus, a human-like species whose fossilized remains were discovered by the scientist Eugene Dubois on the island of Java.

Buddhist and Hindu Kingdoms

Much later, Indonesia developed many well-organized kingdoms. Ruled by indigenous Rajas who embraced the Hindu and Buddhist religions, these kingdoms grew very civilized. Today, this time in history is called the period of Buddhist-Hindu Kingdoms. It lasted from ancient history to the 15th century

The first Buddhists arrived in Indonesia from around 100 to 200 AD from India. One of the most famous Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesian history is Sailendra (750-850 AD). During this period, the famous Buddhist temple at Borobudur was built. The dynasty’s replacement, the Hindu kingdom of Mataram began the era of Hindu kingdoms. The mightiest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia’s ancient history was the Majapahit Empire. Under the reign of King Hayam Wuruk (1331-1364 AD), the empire enjoyed tributary relationships with territories as far away as Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Islam Arrives

Gujarati and Persian merchants who embraced Islam started to visit Indonesia in the 13th century. Along with trade, they introduced Islam to the Indonesian Hindus, particularly in the coastal areas of Java. Islam then spread further east to the Bone and Goa Sultanates in Sulawesi, Ternate and Tidore in the northern part of Maluku, and the east part of Lombok. Besides those areas, Islam also expanded to into Banjarmasin, Palembang, Minangkabau, Pasai, and Perlak.

European Period

European influence in Indonesia began when the Portuguese, in search for spices, landed in 1512. Both the Portuguese and the Spanish spread Christianity in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Dutch established an organized merchant trade called Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1602 to tap the rich spices territories. After the seizure of Ambon in Maluku (1605) and Banda Island (1623), the Dutch enjoyed a trade monopoly in the “Spice Islands.”

In 1814 the British came to Indonesia. During the Napoleonic wars in Europe, when Holland was occupied by France, Indonesia fell under the rule of the British East India Company. After the fall of Napoleon, the British and Dutch signed a convention in which it was agreed that Dutch colonial possession dating from 1803 onwards should be returned to the Dutch administration in Batavia (present-day Jakarta). Thus, the Indonesian archipelago once again became a Dutch possession in 1815.

Throughout the period of colonization, Indonesians had been fighting for their independence. This struggle, begun in the 1600s, climaxed with a proclamation of independence in 1945, and continued for a few years more.

Independence