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| Facts |
Map |
| Population |
| 209 million |
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| Language
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Bahasa Indonesian, Javanese, Sudanese |
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| Country Code
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62
AREA: Bandung(22), Denpesar
(Bali)(361), Jakarta(21), Medan(61), Surabaya(31) |
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| Currency |
Rupiah
check out our Travel Tips/Tools
CURRENCY
CONVERTER
to
get the rates you are looking for! |
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| Climate |
Hot Tropical
Climate
use our Travel Tips/Tools
for the CURRENT
CLIMATE there!
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Introduction
Indonesia,
Republic of, island republic of Southeast Asia, constituting most of the
Malay Archipelago. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country
after China, India, and the United States. More than half the people live
on Java, where Jakarta, Indonesia's capital and largest city, is located.
Although the islands are home to more than 100 ethnic groups, most
Indonesians are of mixed Malay origins and practice Islam.
Indonesia is located south and east of mainland Asia and north and west of
Australia. About half of Indonesia's nearly 13,700 islands are inhabited.
About 300 languages and dialects are spoken in Indonesia, but Bahasa
Indonesia is the official and most widely spoken tongue. Its common use
has helped unify the country since independence in 1949
Followers
of a form of Islam make up 87 percent of the population, making Indonesia
the largest Islamic country in the world. Christians represent 9 percent
of the population. Most of these belong to the Protestant Church in
Indonesia, a merger of several Protestant sects. About 2 percent of the
population is Roman Catholic. Buddhists, most of whom are of Chinese
descent, account for about 1 percent of the population. Hinduism was once
a major influence throughout the region but is now significant only on
Bali. Indonesia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
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General Information
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| Area : 1,904,000 sq km
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| Capital : Jakarta
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| Population : 216 million
(including 300 ethnic groups)
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Language : Bahasa
Indonesia (Official) Javanese is the most widely spoken local dialect.
English is the most common
foreign language
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| Religion : Muslim (88%),
Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity
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| Major cities : Bandung,
Surabaya, Medan & Semarang
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Currency : Notes: 100,
500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 rupiah
Exchange facilities are rare at remote areas. The US dollar is the most
convertible currency. Credit cards
are only accepted at major hotels, restaurants and travel agencies.
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Transportation
Taxi - Taxis are gauged by meter. Carry
small change as taxi drivers are often unable to change large bills. The
other
forms of taxis are called
bajak and bemo, which seat six.
Bus - Fares are cheap.
Driving - Drive on the left side of the
road. Chauffeured cars can be hired cheaply.
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 Communications
Domestic calls from public telephone cost
RP 50 for three minutes. Public telephones and facilities are available at
government telephone offices and hotel lobbies
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 Economy
Major Exports : coffee, rubber, timber,
tea, textile, garments, tobacco, oil, gas, bauxite and aluminium.
Major Imports : Machinery, oil products,
vehicles, base metals, foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco.
Major Trading Partners : Singapore, Japan,
US, Taiwan and South Korea.
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Business Hours
Government offices are open from 8.00am to
5.00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday. On Friday,
there is a midday break at 11.30am.
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Banks
Bank Indonesia is the Central Bank. There
are also about 80 private and foreign banks. Normal banking hours are from
8.00am to 12.00noon and 1.00pm to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and 8.00am to
11.00am on Saturday.
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 Health
Medical facilities are available in cities
and resorts, but are poor elsewhere. Ensure all food is well cooked and
drink only boiled or bottled water. |
 Climate
Because
of Indonesia's location near the equator and its island geography, the
climate along coastal areas is hot and humid year-round. The average daily
temperature range of Jakarta is 21° to 33°C (69° to 92°F) and varies
little from winter to summer. Temperatures in upland areas tend to be
cooler.
Indonesia
has two monsoon seasons: a wet season from November to March and a dry
season from June to October. Between monsoons, the weather is more
moderate. The northern parts of the country have only slight differences
in precipitation during the wet and dry seasons. Average rainfall in the
lowlands varies from 1,780 to 3,175 mm (70 to 125 in) per year, and in
some mountain regions rainfall reaches 6,100 mm (240 in) per year. The
regions with the highest rainfall include the mountainous western coast of
Sumatra and the upland areas of western Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and
Irian Jaya. Humidity is generally high, averaging about 80 percent yearly.
The
driest parts of the country, with annual rainfall under 1,000 mm (40 in),
are along the coast of the Lesser Sunda Islands and the easternmost end of
Java. The erratic seasonal distribution of rain in these areas makes
farming difficult.
Indonesia
lies beyond the typhoon zone of the western Pacific and the especially
powerful storms of the South China Sea. Occasionally a typhoon sweeps
through the eastern seas but rarely reaches the Java Sea.
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Traveller's Tips
Indonesia unity is a very important and
controversial state policy. Handshakes are customary for both men and
women on introduction or greeting. Avoid giving and receiving things with
the left hand.
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 Eating Out
There is a great variety of choices ranging
from Indonesian cuisine to Western cuisine. Indonesia cuisine is well
known for its bold, rich flavour and hot spices.
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Visas
60-day stay without visa.
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What to wear
Light and cool clothes are suitable. For
formal occasions, use shirt and tie or long-sleeved batik shirt. Women are
expected to dress modestly.
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 For Further Information
Director of International Indonesian
Tourism Promotion Board
Bank Pacific Building 9th Floor
8, Jalan Jend Sudiman
Jakarta 10220
Tel : (6221) 5704879
Fax : (6221) 5704855
Email : itpb@indosat.net.id
More
about Indonesia
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