Indonesia Travel Guide

The Republic of Indonesia is a large country in South East Asia with over 17,000 islands which make up the largest archipelago in the world. Straddling the equator with the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific to the east, the nation has physical borders with Malaysia to the north, and East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the east. Neibouring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The capital city is Jakarta, located on the politically dominant island of Java. Only 6000 of the islands are populated, with the five main islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantian, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya being home to the majority of the population of over 230 million people.

The islands of Indonesia are blessed with a large diversity of natural resources which have, over the centuries, produced a rich trading history dominated by successive kingdoms and colonisation. 1602 saw the establishment of the Dutch East India Company giving the Netherlands access to the lucrative spice market which included nutmeg, cloves and cubeb pepper plus the seemingly endless supply of exotic timbers. After the collape of the Dutch East India Company, the Dutch government established the Dutch East Indies as a nationalised colony in 1800. The 350 year control by the Dutch eventually ended in 1949 after four years of local uprisings and moves for independence.

Today, Indonesia embraces more than 300 different cultures and ethnic groups, is the fourth most populous nation in the world, and is also home to the largest Muslim population on Earth. For many years this very diversity of cultures, art, food and customs along with the stunning natural beauty of a tropical backdrop, has made the islands of Indonesia popular tourist destinations.

The island of Bali with its beautiful landscapes, unique arts, culture and gentle people draws thousands of visitors every year, whilst Sumatra offers a less developed experience featuring wild and rugged scenery, rich cultural traditions and provides the habitat to many endangered species. To the north, the world’s third largest island Kalimantan (Borneo) is shared with Malaysia and features vast tracts of uncharted jungles and rainforests serving as one of the last refuges of the orangutan. Java is famous for its large bustling cities as well as the cultural treasures of Yogyakarta and the World Heritage listed temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Scuba divers flock from all over the world to experience the spectacular diving found in Sulawesi and the islands of Nusa Tenggar, which is also where the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon can be found. With its warm and friendly people, dramatic scenery and rich cultural and biodiversity, Indonesia has offers something for everyone.