INDONESIA is a country of 1.9 million square kilometres with the world’s fourth largest population at around 240 million people.
Capital:
Area:
Population: Ethnic mix:
Religions:
Languages:
Time Zones:
:
Jakarta
1,919,440 sq km
240,271,522 (July 2009 estimate)
Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, Others and Unspecified 29.9% (Census 2,000).
Muslim 86%, Protestant 5.7%, Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, others 1%
Bahasa Indonesia has been the official language since 1945. It is a modified form
of Malay from the Riau-
Indonesia spans three time zones, GMT+7 (West), GMT+8 (Central) and GMT+9 (East).
Batam is GMT+7. Please note that this means the local time on Batam is one hour BEHIND the officially designated local time in Singapore.
INDONESIA consists of five major and more than 17,500 smaller islands extending over 3,900 miles (equivalent to Oregon USA to Bermuda). There are mountains, volcanoes, jungles, swamplands, plantations, palm fringed beaches, huge expanses of rich agricultural plains, coral reefs, superb waterways and much more – most of it stunningly beautiful.
There are more than 300 ethnic groups, speaking some 530 languages and dialects but the official national language is Bahasa Indonesia, a modified form of Malay. About 86% of the population is Muslim, making it the largest Muslim population in the world. The Indonesian people generally are noted for being warm, hospitable and helpful.
ITS SIZE and the ethnic and cultural diversity make Indonesia a country of contrasts.
The skyscrapers of modern, bustling Jakarta and the broad avenues and monumental
buildings of provincial capitals exist side-
Rich in resources, Indonesia is a country in transition from the traditional to a place in today’s global society and economy. The Indonesian economy is the biggest in South East Asia and ranks 20th in the world measured by raw annual Gross Domestic Product (World Bank, 2007). If measured by Purchasing Power Parity, Indonesia ranks 16th in the world.
Despite great progress, Indonesia remains a poor country with GDP per capita at about $US1,650 (if adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity this rises to US$3,750).
For most citizens pay rates are low, unemployment and under employment are high and infrastructure is often lacking, particularly outside the big cities. There are very few of the publicly funded welfare support systems typical of developed Western countries.
This means that many Indonesians have little choice but to live off individual effort and their wits and they have become adept at parting visiting fools from their money – not out of malice but simply out of necessity.
It also means that prices for most things in Indonesia (food, drinks, accommodation, fuel, transport, entertainment etc) are very low, particularly if you are buying with a relatively strong currency like the $US, the $AUD, GB Pounds or EUR.
As in many developing countries there also is an entrenched level of corruption, particularly at lower administrative levels, as people struggle to survive or to achieve a better life for themselves and their families. However, as a visitor, unless you become involved in business or commerce in Indonesia, you are unlikely to be impacted directly.
Indonesia suffered greatly from the impact of the Asian Economic Crisis of 1997-
Most visitors to Indonesia think immediately of the world-
Batam Island remains a relatively unknown gem. Being so close to Singapore (just
an hour across the water) combined with Indonesian’s low costs and prices mean people
who visit or relocate to Batam can enjoy the best of both worlds -
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INDONESIA
Here are some recommended and useful links where you will find more detailed statistical and general information on Indonesia and on
living in Indonesia.
livinginindonesia.info/index.php/item/Home
This ambitious and excellent site was still under development as at September 2009 but already offers much useful and interesting information on Indonesia with essays covering history, culture, politics, visas the bureaucracy, the law, the economy, doing business, the regions etc.
This site has been providing information for resident and prospective expatriates since 1997 with a main focus on Jakarta. It consists mainly of contributions from veteran and newer expatriate residents based on their experiences. It includes useful forums.
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-
Select Indonesia from the Select a Country or Location menu. This is a very comprehensive summary of key publicly issued official statistics. It is current, thorough, reliable and comprehensive. (If redirected choose World Fact Book from the search form.)
www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/asia/id.htm
Scroll down to a brief general and historical profile of Indonesia together with maps, but population and other statistics are out of date.
www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/indonesia.htm
Reasonably up to date Summary profile of Indonesia plus many useful links for general and specific information on Indonesia
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-
Current profile information with an emphasis on recent political history plus many links to Indonesian media and other information sources. When the site opens select Indonesia.
lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Indonesia.pdf
This is a link to a downloadable Profile compiled by the Federal Research Division of the US Library of Congress. Comprehensive, but last updated in December 2004.
Map courtesy of www.worldatlas.com (Click map to enlarge). For an even larger map
with more detail and showing the locations of major provincial centres go to:www.asia-
![Indonesia Map [2].gif](Indonesia Map [2].gif)
The Indonesian Provinces -
Flag of Indonesia
The Merah Putiih (Red and White) -
The PANCASILA GARUDA -