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CONTENTS WELCOME T0 INDONESIAN
ARCHIPELAGO [Part-I] WELCOME TO INDONESIAN ARCHIPELAGO [Part-II] WELCOME TO
"DKI" JAKARTA SIDE
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More than 17,000 islands of the Indonesian archipelago straddle the equator, stretching over 5000 km from the main land of Asia into the Pacific Ocean. Indonesian territory extends from latitude 6o north to 11o south, and from longitude 95o west to 141o east. These islands are home to some of the most beautiful and unforgettable sight in all of South East Asia. It would simply be impossible to see everything that this, the world's largest archipelago, has to offer in a short length of time.No two places are alike in terms of unspoiled natural beauty, indigenous culture, art or people. The towering mountains and little known peoples of Irian Jaya contrast sharply with the terraced hills and highly sophisticated artistic culture of Bali. The rich tradition of Wayang and Javanese courts are worlds apart from the animistic beliefs and practices which still have a major influence on the way of life in South Sulawesi. "Unity in Diversity" is Indonesian's national motto, accurately describing the vast array of diverse cultures and extraordinary peoples brought together under one flag, with one national language, Bahasa Indonesia. For the travelers, Indonesia offers a fine blend of scenic beauty, an amazing variety of fauna and flora, unspoiled marine parks and a spicy mix of traditional cultures and peoples famous for their friendliness and hospitality.  Traditionally the most popular tourist destination
has undoubtedly been Bali, but in recent years there has been a rapid
rise in interest about, and travel to, other parts of Indonesia. Indonesian
government has selected 24 top priority areas to provide visitors with an
experience of the quintessential soul of Indonesia: Jakarta;
Yogyakarta; West, Central & East Jawa
(Java); Bali; West & East Nusa Tenggara;
North, West & South Sumatra; Aceh; Riau;
Bengkulu; Lampung; South, North & Southeast
Sulawesi (Celebes); East, West, South
& Central Kalimantan (Borneo); Maluku and
Irian Jaya (West New Guinea). . International gateway providing easy access
for travelers in Indonesia are Jakarta, Denpasar
(Bali) and Medan (North Sumatra). Other
airports have been targeted as (some have already been) international
gateways. These are: Manado (North Celebes), Ambon
(Maluku), Batu Besar (Batam Island), Pekan
Baru (Riau), Balikpapan (East Borneo),
Surabaya (East Java), Kupang (East Nusa
Tenggara), Pontianak (West Borneo) and Biak
(Irian Jaya).
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In Greek, word Indos means Indian and word Nesos means Islands. Those two words form the name Indonesia, an excellent description of the archipelago, as there are about 17,508 islands, some are not more than tiny outcroppings of barren rock, others are as big as California and covered in dense tropical jungle. Approximately 6,000 of these islands are inhabited, with 5 main islands and 30 smaller archipelagoes serving as home to the majority of the population. The main islands are Sumatra (473,606 sq.km), Kalimantan or Borneo (539,460 sq.km), Sulawesi or Celebes (189,216 sq.km), Irian Jaya or West New Guinea (421,981 sq.km) and Jawa or Java (132,187 sq.km).The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the 4th most populated nation in the world, with more than 200 million people. The strategic position of Indonesia and its waterways between the Indian and Pacific Oceans has led to a fascinating and complex cultural, religious, political and economic history. Evidence of Indonesia's earliest
inhabitants include fossils of Pithecanthropus Erectus, which date back
some 500,000 years, discovered near the village of Trinil in East
Java by Dr. Eugene Dubois in 1809. Major migration movements to the
Indonesian archipelago began about 3,000 years ago as the Dongson Culture of
Vietnam and southern China spread south, bringing with them new Stone, Bronze
and Iron Age cultures as well as the Austronesian language. Their
techniques of irrigated rice cultivation are still practiced throughout
Indonesia today. Other remnants of this culture such as ritual buffalo
sacrifice, erection of stone megaliths and ikat weaving are still visible
in isolated area across the archipelago.  Indonesia came
under the influence of a mighty Indian civilization through the gradual influx
of Indian traders in the 1st century A.D., when great Hindu and Buddhist empires
were beginning to emerge. By the 7th century, the powerful Buddhist Kingdom of
Sriwijaya was on the rise and it is thought that during this period the
spectacular Borobudur Buddhist Temple was built in Central Java.
The 13th century saw the dominance of the fabulous Majapahit Hindu empire
in East Java, which united the whole of modern-day Indonesia and parts of
the Malay peninsula, ruling two centuries. Later on, Arab traders and
merchants laid the foundations for the gradual spread of Islam to the region,
which did not replace Hinduism and Buddhism as the dominant religion until the
end of 16th century. By 1509 Portuguese had established trading posts in the
strategic commercial center of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. Their
fortified bases and the inability of their enemies to unify against them allowed
the Portuguese to control strategic trade routes from Malacca to Macao,
Goa, Mozambique and Angola. . .
The Japanese replaced the Dutch as rulers
of Indonesia during 2nd World War. The surrender of the Japanese in 1945
signaled the end of that war in Asia and the start of true independence for
Indonesia. With major changes in global consciousness about freedom and
democracy concept, Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17 of the
same year.
. The returning Dutch bitterly resisted Indonesian nationalist
movements and intermittent fighting followed. Under the auspices of the UN at
the Hague, an agreement was finally reached on December 9, 1949, officially
recognizing Indonesian's sovereignty over the former Dutch East Indies.
As a tropical country, the climate in Indonesia is fairly even all year round. There are no four seasons but the year is simply divided into two distinct seasons, wet and dry. The East Monsoon, from June to September, brings dry weather while the West Monsoon, from December to March, brings rain. Temperatures range from 21-33oC (70-90oF), except the higher altitudes which can be much cooler. The heaviest rainfalls are usually recorded in December and January. Average humidity is generally between 75% and 100%.  British
naturalist, A. R. Wallace (1823-1913) postulated an imaginary line as the
dividing line between Asiatic and Australian fauna. It passes between
Bali & Lombok islands and between Borneo and
Celebes (a continental island). This theory explains the presence
of species of fauna familiar to both Asia and Australia in Indonesia. However,
there are species indigenous to Indonesia, such as Orangutan apes of
Sumatra and Borneo, the giant Komodo lizard, the one horned rhinoceros of
Java, the wild Banteng oxen, etc. The flora of Indonesia ranges from the
tiny orchid to the giant Rafflesia Arnoldi plant which has a bloom almost
3.2 feet in diameter, the largest flower in the world. . Agriculture products include rubber,
coconut, coffee, tea, cocoa, corn, rice, etc. and an abundance of vegetable and
fruit. Indonesia has some of the richest timber resources in the world and the
largest concentration of tropical hardwoods. The total area of state controlled
forests is approximately 12,9 million hectares. Meranti constitutes about
56% of the entire timber export. Other varieties include ramin, agathis, teak,
pinewood, rattan and bamboo.
The staple food of most of Indonesia is rice. Fish features prominently in the diet: fresh, salted, dried, smoked or paste. Fish is abundant and of great variety, from lobster to crab. Coconut is found everywhere (mostly in North Celebes) and besides being processed for cooking oil, its milk and meat is an ingredients for many dishes.Spices and hot chili peppers are the essence of most cooking, and in some areas they are used generously such as in North Celebes and West Sumatra. Each province or area has its own cuisine. In the east, seafood is a staple of the daily diet, either grilled or made into curries. As the population of Indonesia is predominantly Moslem, pork is usually not served except in Chinese restaurants, non Moslem regions (Bali, Irian Jaya, North Celebes, highlands of North Sumatra, etc.) and in places serving international cuisine. . There is a wide variety of tropical and
sub-tropical vegetables all year round. Fruit is available throughout the year.
Some are seasonal but most can be bought anytime. Coffee and tea are served
everywhere from fine restaurants to small village stalls. For most people, a
meal consists of steamed white rice with side dishes of meat or fish and
vegetables along with a glass of tea.
Indonesia is rich in natural resources. While 90% of the population is engaged in agriculture, oil and gas contribute 70% of total export earnings and 60% of the government revenue. Lately, tourism is gaining a more important sector as a foreign exchange earner. Air and sea ports are being extended to cater to the growing traffic in both domestic and international sectors. Previously, Indonesia had become self
sufficient in rice and did not need to import the staple food as it had for
years. In the middle of 1997, the country started to face economic crisis. The
President, Mr. Soeharto, who had ruled for about 32 years, was resigned by the
end of May, 1998 for his failure to anticipate this situation. Indonesian
currency, Rupiah, crashed into the worst level ever. Previously, the
conversion was Rp. 2,350 / US$ but now it is fluctuated around Rp. 7,500 / US$.
However, it is a good news for foreign tourists because the value of their money
increases more than 300%!  There are 5 religions officially recognized in
Indonesia: Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddha. The majority of the
population follows Islam. The Christians and Catholics are in North Sumatra,
some in Java and widely spread in the eastern part of Indonesia. Hindu is
followed mostly in Bali and Buddhism can be found in Java and several other
islands in Indonesia. Although Islam is the majority but constitutionally
Indonesia is not an Islamic state. Since long, all the followers of those five
religions live peacefully together in harmony. . There are about 583 languages spoken by as
many distinct ethnic groups across the archipelago. There are five main language
groups on Sumatra alone, six on Celebes and three on Java. It is quite difficult
to map this because, for example, one small island in Nusa Tenggara,
Alor, or one of four ethnic groups in North Celebes, Minahasa, has
seven different language groups! Adding even more spice to this linguistic stew,
all these languages are also spoken in a number of different local
dialects. However, there is an official national language, Bahasa
Indonesia, which is understood by almost all Indonesians. It is the bridge
of communication between ethnic groups and officially used in educational,
governmental and formal events. Bahasa Indonesia is originally Malay language
but has been modified by several local and foreign languages. There are so many
Javanese words and some other parts of Indonesia adopted into this language.
Foreign influence mostly comes from Dutch and Arabic language. That is why the
Malay language practiced in Malaysia is quite different from Bahasa Indonesia,
although both speakers can understand each other.
Indonesia is blessed with a rich and diverse mix of tradition cultures and art forms. The basic principle which guide life across this colorful tapestry of life styles include the concepts of mutual assistance and communal meetings and gathering to arrive at a consensus.Derived from the traditions in agriculture based rural life, this system is still very much in use in community life throughout the country. Social life, as well as rites of passage, are steeped in ancient traditions and customs, or adat laws, which differ from area to area. Adat laws have a binding impact on Indonesian life and have been instrumental in maintaining equal rights for women in the community. Religious influences on communal life vary from place to place, depending on local history. . Art forms in Indonesia are not only derived
from folklore, as in many other parts of the world. Many were developed in the
courts of former kingdoms, as in Bali, where they are integral elements of
religious ceremonies.
.  From graceful
court and temple dances to charming folk dances and boisterous play, the
performing arts of Indonesia offer an astounding range of types and styles for
the visitor to study or enjoy, reflecting, as they do, the soul and traditions
of the various ethnic groups who perform them. Music, dance and drama are very
often intertwined, as in the Ludruk transvestite theatre of East Java and
the Lenong folk theatre of Jakarta, both known for their slapstick humor
and early Shakespearean simplicity in their stage setting. An important
form of indigenous theatre is puppetry, of which the most celebrated in the
Wayang Kulit shadow play of Java. These plays are magical and mysterious,
and have often been seen as roads to the true heart and soul of Javanese
culture. They are performed with leather puppets held by the puppeteer
(Dalang) who narrates the story of one of the famous episodes of the
Mahabharata or the Ramayana. . Whereas rigid discipline and artistry mark
the dance of Java and Bali, those of Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes and most of the
other islands are characterized by their gracefulness and charm. The old
traditions of dance and drama are being preserved in many dance schools which
flourish not only in the courts, but also in the modern art
academies.
 Musical traditions are as diverse as
the population. One of them is Gamelan. A complete Gamelan orchestra may
consist of as many as eighty instruments, the largest part comprising various
types and sizes of metal percussion instruments. The orchestra is basically
tuned in two systems: the old pentatonic Slendro and the younger seven
tone Pelog, each producing its own mood and having its own uses in
the musical or theatrical repertoire. The most elaborate form of Gamelan is that
of Central Java (Yogyakarta and Surakarta). West Java has its own
gamelan ensemble, usually simpler than the Javanese. But the most brilliant is
that of Bali, where sets of male and female metal keyboards produce a
beautiful timbre associated with the Balinese gamelan.
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In North Celebes, there are bamboo
xylophones and Kolintang (wood stick keyboards set), while in West Java
the bamboo Angklung instruments are well known for their unique tinkling
notes. Those mentioned instruments can be adapted to any melody. The
Batak (Tapanuli) people of North Sumatra are famous for their
popular singing groups who today entertain visitors in many international
hotels.
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 . Indonesia is an art collector's and
handicrafts shopper's paradise, and you will probably end up buying an extra
suitcase just to pack all your treasures home with you.
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Visiting Indonesia is just like visiting hundreds
of countries!.
If you need more information about Indonesia, please feel free to send me your email (click the "Email Me" button at the top of the page and select "VS06 Tourism Information" as the subject of the email). I'm also pleased to assist you, if you plan to visit Indonesia on your vacation!
Official sources of some data given in this article are taken from:
Since several data have become
irrelevant due to the recent situation in Indonesia, I have modified (add,
remove or change) them to make this article up-to-date. Some parts are taken
from my own experience, field research and knowledge. If you have any further questions, please contact me
through my email. Thank you!
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