| Country
name |
Republic of Indonesia |
| Capital
|
Jakarta
(population approximately 9.5 million. Land
area 662 ) |
| Geographic
location |
Longitude
6 ~
11 ,
95 ~
141 |
| Land
area |
1.9
million
(a maritime nation with the most islands
in the world)
-Number of islands : 17,508 (7,133 inhabited)
-Major islands: Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra,
Sulawesi, Irian Jaya |
| Population
|
205
million (fourth largest in the world, population
increase rate: 2.1%) |
| Ethnic groups |
Over
300 ethnic including Javanese (45%), Sundanese
(13.6%), Acehenese, Bataks, Balinese, etc.
|
| Religion
|
Islam
(87%), Christianity (6%), Catholic (3%),
Hindu (2%), Buddhism (1%), others
|
| State Philosophy
|
Pancasila, the five guiding
guiding principles. This basic ideology of the state is set out in five fundamental principles,
encompassing : Belief in one Supreme God, Humanity, Unity of Indonesia, Democracy and Social Justice.
The five principles are represented in the national symbol Garuda, bearing the motto 'Unity in
Diversity' or 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika'
|
| National and
International Language
|
Bahasa Indonesia
is the official national language and it is spoken everywhere. Bahasa Indonesia is
similiar to Malay, and is wirtten in Roman script. This makes it easy
for visitor to pick up as, basically, what you see is what you say.
English is the most widely used foreign languge for businese and travel alike.
|
| Local Languages |
There are more than two hundred and fifty recognized
languages spoken by as many distinct ethnic groups across the archipelago. |
| Flag |
The Indonesian national flag is red and white.
The red is for courage and the white for purity. The red and white flag was created
in Indonesia hundred of years before the struggle for independence against colonilism.
|
| National
coat of arms |
Garuda bird, the eagle of ancient Indonesian mythology,
simbolizing energy.
|
| Staple Food |
Nasi (rice) is the staple of the Indonesian diet.
It's eaten with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and as a snack.
|
| National motto |
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika meaning 'Unity in Diversity'
|
| GNP |
140.5 billion US dollar (1999) |
| Per
capita GNP |
682 US dollar (1999) |
| Climate |
There are two distinct seasons in Indonesia, one
wet (December to March), and the other dry (June to September) with the transitional period
between the two. Indonesia doesn't usually experience monsoons in the same way as other countries
in the region. Even in the midst of the wet season temperature range from 21 degrees (70oF)
to 33 degrees celcius (90oF), except at higher altitudes which can be much cooler.
The heaviest rainfall are usually recorded in December and January. Average humidity is generally
between seventy five and a hundred percent. |
| Time Zones |
- Western Indonesia Time
(Jakarta) : GMT+7
- Central Indonesia Time (Bali) : GMT+8
- Eastern Indonesia Time (Irian Jaya) : GMT+9 |
| Currency |
Indonesian currency is Rupiah. Notes are in 100.000, 50.000, 20.000,
10.000, 5.000, 1.000, 500, 100 denominations. Coins are 1.000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.
|
