Indonesia

Country in Southeast Asia

Orthographic projection of Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared with Brunei and Malaysia), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea). Indonesia is the world's largest island country and the 14th-largest country by land area, at 1,904,569 square kilometers (735,358 square miles). With over 270 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth-most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.

History

1855 Colton Map of the East Indies

The history of Indonesia has been shaped by its geographic position and its natural resources. The archipelago has been a valuable region for trade since at least the 7th century, when Srivijaya and later Majapahit traded with entities from China and India. Local rulers gradually absorbed foreign cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hinduism and Buddhism flourished.

The arrival of Islam in the 13th century significantly influenced the region, and by the 16th century, it had become the dominant religion in Java and Sumatra. European powers began to arrive in the early 16th century, and the Dutch East India Company became the dominant European power by the 17th century. The Dutch established the Dutch East Indies, which became a profitable colony for the Netherlands.

The Submission of Prince Diponegoro to General De Kock

In the early 20th century, an Indonesian independence movement began to develop, and after the Japanese occupation during World War II, Indonesia declared its independence on 17 August 1945. The Dutch attempted to re-establish their rule, leading to a bitter armed and diplomatic struggle that ended in December 1949, when the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence.

Geography

Location of Indonesia in ASEAN

Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia, lying between latitudes 11°S and 6°N, and longitudes 95°E and 141°E. It is the largest archipelago in the world, with 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited. The five main islands are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (known as Kalimantan in Indonesia), Sulawesi, and New Guinea.

The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the eastern part of Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, and India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Demographics

Indonesia is the world's fourth-most populous country, with a population of over 270 million people. The population is highly diverse, with more than 300 distinct ethnic groups and over 700 languages spoken. The largest ethnic group is the Javanese, who make up about 40% of the population.

The official language is Indonesian, a standardized form of Malay, which serves as a lingua franca across the archipelago. The majority of Indonesians are Muslim, with significant Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities.

Culture

Lubang Jeriji Saléh cave painting of Bull

Indonesian culture has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Traditional art forms include wayang (shadow puppetry), batik (textile art), and gamelan (traditional music ensemble). Indonesia is also known for its diverse cuisine, which varies by region and is influenced by Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines.

Politics and Government

Presiden Sukarno

Indonesia is a republic with a presidential system. The President of Indonesia is both the head of state and the head of government. The country has a multi-party system, and the government is based on the 1945 Constitution, which was amended in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is the legislative branch of the government, consisting of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) and the People's Representative Council (DPR). The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Economy

Indonesia has a mixed economy in which both the private sector and government play significant roles. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a member of the G20. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Agriculture is also a significant sector, with major products including palm oil, rice, tea, coffee, spices, and rubber.

Related pages

• Geography of Indonesia
• History of Indonesia
• Economy of Indonesia
• Culture of Indonesia
• Politics of Indonesia