About Indonesia

About Indonesia

Indonesia is a country of islands and peninsulas, with more than 17,000 islands. The largest island is Java, which is located in the western part of the country. The central administration of Indonesia is located in Jakarta, which is also the capital city.

Indonesia Climate

The climate in Indonesia varies from tropical to subarctic, depending on location and time of year. Most parts of the country receive rainfall in the summer months (October-December). In some areas there are two rainy seasons: an early one that runs from April through June, followed by a second one that occurs during November through February. However, even during these months there can be heavy rainfall at times when it rains for several days in a row. Rainfall can also occur at any time during the year within any given location.

Indonesia is a country located on the island of Java, with Sumatra to the west and Borneo to the east. It is the world’s largest archipelago nation. Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands which are divided into two geographical regions — Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores) in the north and Greater Sunda Islands (Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Kalimantan) in the south. The country’s total land area is 283,847 km2 (110,847 sq mi).

Indonesia was a Dutch colony until 1945 and was governed by an elected colonial council. It became independent in 1945 as a constitutional monarchy under Sukarno and then declared a republic in 1949. Sukarno was President fromsemploying emergency powers until 1966; he then resigned amid mounting political pressure from his former comrades-in-arms. An attempt to hold an election for a new president failed in 1967. Following this failed attempt at democracy Sukarno’s rule became increasingly authoritarian and he revoked all Indonesian political parties except his own nationalist party, Golkar (Great Indonesian Movement).

The economy of Indonesia grew rapidly during the 1960s under President Suharto’s New Order

Java plays host not only to the famous Borobudur Temple, an architectural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also highland retreats, tea plantations, volcanoes and scenic mountain passes.

Sulawesi’s forested heart protects the regency of Tana Toraja where hanging graves and cliffs displaying ancestral sculptures are a vital element of the death-venerating culture.

Hidden Balliem Valley in West Papua has traditional Dani villages and precarious dangling footbridges crafted entirely from natural twine.

Sumatra’s wild volcanic landscape offers plenty of options for trekking while its vast crater lake, Lake Toba, provides a spectacular backdrop for a few days’ relaxing on the island of Palau Samosir.

Kalimantan is Indonesia’s portion of the island of Borneo. Orangutans and proboscis monkeys may be viewed from traditional boats weaving through the waters of the Tanjung Puting National Park. Komodo dragons are the stars on Komodo and Rinca, two of the very few islands where these massive lizards live in the wild.