Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. It lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea. This makes it the world's largest archipelagic state. It is also the 14th-largest country by area.

The islands of Indonesia have been home to humans for thousands of years. Over time, the region became important for international trade. Influences from Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam shaped the culture and religion of the islands. After centuries of Dutch colonial rule, Indonesia proclaimed its independence after World War II.

Today, Indonesia is a vibrant and diverse nation. It is home to over 280 million people, making it the world's fourth most populous country. The majority practice Islam. Java is the most crowded island, where the capital city, Jakarta, is the world's most populous city. Indonesia has grown economically and plays an important role in global organizations such as the United Nations and the G20.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Indonesia

The name Indonesia comes from two ancient Greek words: Indos meaning "Indian" and nesos meaning "island." This name was first used in the 1800s by a British explorer named George Windsor Earl. He called the people living there "Indunesians" or "Malayunesians." One of Earl's students, James Richardson Logan, used the word Indonesia to describe the group of islands in the area.

Over time, the name Indonesia became popular. A German scientist named Adolf Bastian helped spread the name in his books. The first Indonesian scholar to use the name was Ki Hajar Dewantara, who set up a press office in the Netherlands in 1918.

History

Main article: History of Indonesia

People have lived in Indonesia for a very long time. Fossils show that early humans were there millions of years ago. Over many years, different groups of people came and settled on the islands.

From around the year 0 to the 1500s, several strong kingdoms ruled parts of Indonesia. These kingdoms traded with other countries and shared ideas about religion and culture. Later, European countries such as the Dutch took control. After World War II, Indonesia declared its independence and became its own country. Since then, Indonesia has changed a lot, becoming a democracy while also facing some hard times.

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Indonesia and List of islands of Indonesia

Indonesia is a big country made of many islands. It lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's largest archipelagic state, with over 17,000 islands. The five main islands are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared with Brunei and Malaysia), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea). Java is small but very crowded and important.

The land in Indonesia has tall mountains, big lakes, and wide rivers. The highest point is Puncak Jaya in New Guinea, and Lake Toba in Sumatra is the largest lake. The climate is warm and wet most of the year, with a drier time from May to October. The warm waters around Indonesia help keep the weather steady, but can also bring strong currents and occasional tropical cyclones.

Main articles: Climate of Indonesia and Climate change in Indonesia

Main article: Geology of Indonesia

See also: List of volcanoes in Indonesia

Main articles: Fauna of Indonesia and Flora of Indonesia

Main articles: Environment of Indonesia and Conservation in Indonesia

See also: Protected areas of Indonesia, List of national parks of Indonesia, and List of biosphere reserves of Indonesia

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Indonesia

See also: Government of Indonesia

Indonesia is a presidential republic with a president who is both head of state and head of government. The country has a legislative body called the People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, MPR). This group has two parts: the People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat, DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, DPD).

Indonesia has many political parties, and elections are held to choose leaders. The country's many islands make organizing elections a big challenge, but they manage it well.

Main articles: List of political parties in Indonesia and Elections in Indonesia

Prabowo Subianto
President

Gibran Rakabuming Raka
Vice President

Indonesia is divided into provinces, each with its own governor. These provinces are split into smaller areas called regencies and cities, each with their own leaders. The smallest areas are villages, where local communities help manage daily life.

Main article: Subdivisions of Indonesia

Indonesia follows a foreign policy that keeps the country independent and active in world affairs. It works closely with neighboring countries in ASEAN and participates in many international groups like the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Main article: Foreign relations of Indonesia

The Indonesian National Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Law enforcement is handled by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). Indonesia works to protect human rights.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Indonesia, Agriculture in Indonesia, and Poverty in Indonesia

Indonesia has a mixed economy where the government and businesses both help the country. It is the biggest economy in Southeast Asia and is a newly industrialised country. Most money comes from services and factories, but farming still gives many people jobs, especially outside big cities.

Over time, Indonesia has grown from a place that mainly farms to one that makes and sells many things. Growth slowed during a money problem in the late 1990s but has gotten better since. Today, Indonesia’s economy is helped by its big population and growing middle class. Tourism, science, and technology are also important, but there are still challenges in linking its many islands and helping all areas grow fairly.

Infrastructure

See also: List of main infrastructure projects in Indonesia

Transport

Main article: Transport in Indonesia

Indonesia's transport systems are shaped by its many islands. Good transport helps people travel, goods reach markets, and communities stay connected. Most roads, railways, and city transport are on the island of Java, while other areas often use sea, river, and air travel.

On land, Java has good roads and trains. You can find old-style rickshaws like bajaj and becak, shared taxis called angkot, and many motorcycles and cars on the roads. Trains connect busy areas such as Greater Jakarta and Yogyakarta. In 2023, Indonesia opened its first high-speed rail line, Whoosh, between Jakarta and Bandung. For travel between islands, planes and ships are important. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is the biggest airport, with others like Ngurah Rai and Juanda International Airports also busy. The Port of Tanjung Priok is the main port for moving cargo.

Energy

Main article: Energy in Indonesia

Indonesia uses a lot of energy because of its large population and industries. Most electricity comes from coal, with natural gas, oil, and some renewable sources like geothermal and solar also helping. The country is good at making coal and natural gas but needs to import oil products.

The government wants to use more clean energy in the future, but this will need new infrastructure and investment, especially to bring electricity to faraway islands.

Demographics

See also: List of Indonesian cities by population and List of metropolitan areas in Indonesia

Indonesia has a large population of about 270 million people, making it the world's fourth most populous country. Most people live on the island of Java. The country has a young population, with a median age of 31.5 years, and many people live in cities, especially in Jakarta.

Main articles: Ethnic groups in Indonesia, Native Indonesians, and Languages of Indonesia

Indonesia is home to around 600 different ethnic groups, including the Javanese, Sundanese, and Batak. The official language is Indonesian, but many people also speak local languages. Islam is the most common religion, followed by Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Main article: Education in Indonesia

Indonesia has a large education system with many students and schools. Education helps unite the country. Challenges include unequal access to schools and varying quality of education.

Main article: Healthcare in Indonesia

Indonesia has improved its healthcare since 1945, with programs to expand access and reduce diseases. A national health care system was launched in 2014, covering most of the population. However, challenges remain in providing quality care across the country.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Indonesia

See also: National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia and Public holidays in Indonesia

Indonesia's culture is rich and diverse. It has many languages, arts, and customs that differ from place to place. Indonesia has 16 items recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as wayang puppet theatre, batik cloth, angklung musical instruments, the saman dance, and pencak silat martial art.

Art and architecture

Indonesian art and architecture show the country's many cultures and histories. Traditional buildings, like Toraja's Tongkonan and Minangkabau's Rumah Gadang, have unique designs. Famous ancient buildings include the Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

Music, dance and clothing

Main articles: Music of Indonesia, Dance in Indonesia, and National costume of Indonesia

Music and dance are important in Indonesian life. They are used in rituals and celebrations. Traditional instruments include the angklung and gamelan. Indonesia has many traditional dances for special events. Clothing varies widely, with batik and kebaya being well-known styles.

Theatre and cinema

Main articles: Cinema of Indonesia and Theatre of Indonesia

Further information: List of highest-grossing films in Indonesia

Traditional theatre in Indonesia includes shadow puppetry (wayang) and other performances that tell stories. Indonesian cinema has grown over time, with films about many aspects of life and society.

Literature and mass media

Indonesia has a long history of storytelling. Modern literature and media have helped shape the country's identity.

Cuisine

Indonesian food is diverse. Rice is a common food, served with different side dishes. Popular dishes include nasi goreng, gado-gado, mie, and sate. Each region has its own special foods.

Sports

Sports are popular in Indonesia. Football is the most loved. The country has done well in badminton, winning big international competitions. Traditional sports, like pencak silat martial art and sepak takraw, are also important.