Indonesia
The Indonesian archipelago, stretching out in the southeastern part of Asia, sits comfortably and precisely on the equator. This tropical country lies between the Asian and Australian continents, between the Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Having as many as 17,508 islands and a population of 225 million people Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world having the world’s largest Moslem population. The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade zone since the 7th century when Sriwijaya Kingdom in Palembang had religious and trade relations with China and India. The Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms had already developed since the beginning of the Gregorian calendar, followed by the traders bringing in Islamic principles and various powers from Europe who fought each other to have the monopoly of spices in trading during the era of ocean exploration. This is the reason why Indonesia has diverse cultures substantially influenced by the European, Chinese, Indian and Arab cultures. Stretching as far as 3,977 miles between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, this country has land territory as vast as 1,922,570 square km with waters accounting for 3,257,483 square km.
Having as many as 17,508 islands and a population of 225 million people Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world having the world’s largest Moslem population. The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade zone since the 7th century when Sriwijaya Kingdom in Palembang had religious and trade relations with China and India. The Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms had already developed since the beginning of the Gregorian calendar, followed by the traders bringing in Islamic principles and various powers from Europe who fought each other to have the monopoly of spices in trading during the era of ocean exploration. This is the reason why Indonesia has diverse cultures substantially influenced by the European, Chinese, Indian and Arab cultures. Stretching as far as 3,977 miles between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, this country has land territory as vast as 1,922,570 square km with waters accounting for 3,257,483 square km.
Indonesia’s cities are in a constant state of urban evolution, where dense populations, technology and construction live in hectic symbiosis. But most of the archipelago’s territory remains unexplored, concealing a wealth of cultures and a myriad of landscapes. oceanic rice fields and ancient sultanates in Java are humbled by haunting volcanic cones. Maluku’s alabaster beaches and desert islands remain pristine while the tourist trail heads elsewhere. The jungles of sumatera, Kalimantan and Papua are zoological wonders, revealing impish monkeys, stoic sun bears, leopards, orang-utans and remarkable marsupials. The Tropical islands provide shelter for a diversely rich flora and fauna. endemic species which are the pride of Indonesia are orangutans, Javan and sumatera tigers, one-homed rhinos, dugongs, anoas, and komodo dragons. The warm tropical water nurture a rich marine environment of rare tropical fish, coral species and marine mammals.
