Indonesia

Country Profile [CIA, 2007]
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing financial sector reforms, stemming corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations. Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the December 2004 tsunami, which particularly affected Aceh province causing over 100,000 deaths and over $4 billion in damage. An additional earthquake in March 2005 created heavy destruction on the island of Nias. Reconstruction in these areas may take up to a decade. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, but it continues to face a low intensity separatist guerilla movement in Papua.

Location Asia
Coordinates 5° 0' S 120° 0' E
Capital Jakarta (Pop: 9.4)
Main Cities Bandung, Jayapura, Medan, Palembang, Surabaya
Area 1919440 km2
Boundaries (km) 2,830 - East Timor 228, Malaysia 1,782, Papua New Guinea 820
Coastline (km) 54,716
Timezone (GMT) 7 to 9
Population 234,693,997 (July 2007 est.) For Demographics search with google search
Public Holidays Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Currency Rupiah (Rp)
GDP $869.7 billion (2005 est.) For look Economic data search in google search
Main Exports oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber
Climate tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Natural Hazards occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires
Physical Features Awu volcano, Krakatoa, Tambora volcano, Galunggung volcano
Flag
Flag for Indonesia

Country Map(s)
Map of Indonesia

2nd Map of Indonesia

These data have been taken from the CIA World Factbook 2007 and are used with permission