is a country in Southeast Asia. Indonesia comprises 13,466 islands and 33 provinces. With over 238 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and has the world's largest population of Muslims. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia.
Indonesia lies between latitudes 11°S and 6°N, and longitudes 95°E and 141°E. It consists of 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited. The largest are Java, Sumatra, Borneo (shared with Brunei and Malaysia), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia on Borneo, Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea, and East Timor on the island of Timor. Indonesia shares maritime borders across narrow straits with Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to the north, and with Australia to the south. The capital, Jakarta, is on Java and is the nation's largest city, followed by Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, and Semarang.
Indonesia has about 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European sources. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology, as do wayang kulit(shadow puppet) performances. Textiles such as batik, ikat and songket are created across Indonesia in styles that vary by region. The most dominant influences on Indonesian architecture have traditionally been Indian; however, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences have been significant.
Since the country is very large, Indonesia is divided into three time zones:
GMT +7: Western Indonesian Time (WIB, Waktu Indonesia Barat)
- Sumatra, Java, west/central Kalimantan
GMT +8: Central Indonesian Time (WITA, Waktu Indonesia Tengah)
- Bali, south/east Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara
GMT +9: Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT, Waktu Indonesia Timur)
- Maluku, Papua
Scuba diving
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| Bunaken, North Sulawesi |
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| Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi |
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| Derawan Island, Borneo |
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| Nusa Peninda, Bali |
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| Pulau Seribu, Jakarta |
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| Karimun Jawa, Center Java |
And this is a major draw for tourists with places like Bunaken (North Sulawesi), Raja Ampat (Papua), Lembeh strait (North Sulawesi), Derawan Island (Borneo), Nusa Peninda (Bali), Pulau Seribu (Jakarta), Karimun Jawa (Central Java), Bintan Island (Sumatra), Komodo and Wakatobi (Southeastern Sulawesi) known worldwide. While diving off Bali itself is a little mediocre, Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands offer excellent diving.
Whitewater Rafting
Indonesia also has extreme rivers for an example you can experience one of your greatest paddling at Pekalen river.
Surfing
Indonesia is the premier destination for traveling surfers. The Mentawai Archipelago west of Sumatra features dozens of world class surf spots. Chartering a private boat for up to two weeks is the most popular way to access the island chain, however there is a public ferry from Padang.
