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INDONESIA
The Republic of Indonesia, world's largest
archipelago, is located between the Southeast Asian peninsula and Australia,
between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia borders Malaysia on the
island of Borneo (Kalimantan in Bahasa Indonesia), Papua New Guinea on the
island of New Guinea and East Timor on the island of Timor.
History
Under the influence of Buddhism, several kingdoms formed on the islands of
Sumatra and Java from the 7th to 14th century. The arrival of Arab from
Gujarat and Chinese traders later brought Islam, which became the dominant
religion.
When the Europeans came in the early 16th
century, they found a multitude of small states. These were vulnerable to
the Europeans, who were in pursuit of dominating the spice trade. In the
17th century, the Dutch emerged as the most powerful of the Europeans,
ousting the British and Portuguese (except for Timor).
After the Dutch East India Company or VOC was liquidated, its possessions in
Indonesia were taken over by the Dutch government.
In 1940 during World War II, Japan had been denied vital aviation fuel by
the Dutch Indies government, unable to negotiate for the fuel Japan begins
its invasion of Malaya in December. Capturing Indonesia in 1942, Japan found
the Indonesian elite to be cooperative trade partners and willing to marshal
troops as needed. Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, KH. Mas Mansur, and Ki Hajar
Dewantara were decorated by the Emperor of Japan in 1943.
In March 1945 Japan organized a committee for Indonesian independence; after
the Pacific war ended in 1945, this group led by Sukarno declared Indonesian
independence. The Dutch finally accepted on December 27th 1949, and Sukarno
became the country's first president with Muhammad Hatta as the first vice
president.
After Sukarno's autocratic rule was almost overthrown, army leader Suharto
became president in 1967. Suharto enriched himself and his family through
widespread corruption and he was forced to step down after massive
demonstrations in 1998.
In the period of 1998 to 2001, the country had four presidents that was
Bacharuddin Jusuf (BJ) Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Sukarnoputri.
The country currently suffers from internal economic, political, and
religious struggles, and several regions are striving for independence (Aceh,
Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya)), while East Timor became independent
in 2002 after 24 years of Indonesian occupation and 3 years of UN
administration.
Politics
The highest legislative body is the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR,
head: Hidayat Nur Wahid) or 'People's Consultative Assembly', consisting of
the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR, head: Agung Laksono) or Peoples
Representative Council, elected for a five-year term, and the Dewan
Perwakilan Daerah (DPD, head: Ginandjar Kartasasmita) or Regional
Representatives Council. Following elections in 2004, the MPR will become a
bicameral parliament, with the creation of the DPD as a new second chamber.
Executive power lies with the President and his/her advisers. The current
President is Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The MPR formerly met every five years to elect the President. Starting in
2004, the MPR no longer elected the President and Vice-President, and
instead popular elections were held. The first popular election for
President was held in July 2004. The participants were Wiranto & Salahuddin
Wahid (Abdurrahman Wahid's brother), Megawati Sukarnoputri & Hasyim Muzadi,
Amien Rais & Siswono Yudohusodo, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono & Jusuf Kalla and
Hamzah Haz & Agum Gumelar.
The second stage of the 2004 presidential election was held on September 20
2004. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono & Jusuf Kalla and Megawati Sukarnoputri &
Hasyim Muzadi were the candidates. On 5 October 2004 Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono & Jusuf Kalla were declared the winners, and were inaugurated as
President & Vice President on 20 October 2004.
Provinces
Currently, Indonesia has 32 provinces (of those, 2 are special territories
and 1 capital city territory). The provinces are subdivided in districts,
which are in turn split up in sub-districts and municipalities. The
provinces are:
Bali, Bangka-Belitung, Banten, Bengkulu, Central Java, Central Kalimantan,
Central Sulawesi, East Java, East Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, South
Sumatra, Gorontalo, Jambi, Lampung, Maluku, North Maluku, North Sulawesi,
North Sumatra, Papua (Irian Jaya), Riau, Riau Kepulauan, South East Sulawesi,
South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, West Irian Jaya, West Java, West
Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, West Sumatra
The special territories (daerah istimewa) are Aceh (or Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam) and Yogyakarta. The capital city territory is Jakarta.
Geography
Indonesia's 17,000 islands (ca. 6,000 are inhabited) are scattered around
the equator, giving the country a tropical climate. The largest populated
islands are Java, where about half of the population lives, Sumatra, Borneo
(shared with Malaysia), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea) and
Sulawesi.
Its location on the edges of tectonic plates means Indonesia is frequently
hit by earthquakes and the resulting tsunamis. Indonesia is also rich in
volcanoes, the most famous being the now disappeared Krakatau (Krakatoa).
Economy
Indonesia suffered of major economic problems in the late 1990s, but economy
has recently stabilised.
The country has extensive natural resources like oil and natural gas, tin,
copper and gold. Agriculture mainly produces rice, tea, coffee, spices and
rubber.
Indonesia is the world's largest exporter of natural gas. However, it has
recently become a net importer of crude oil.
Indonesia's major trading partners are Japan, the United States and the
surrounding nations of Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.
Demographics
Indonesia's population can be roughly divided into two groups. In the west
of the country, the people are mostly Malay, while the people of the east
are Papuan. However, the ethnic structure is rather diverse, with several
traditional tribes still living in the inlands of Borneo and New Guinea. The
Chinese form a large ethnic minority (2 to 3 million). Although important to
Indonesian economy, they are generally disliked by indigenous Indonesians.
Islam is Indonesia's main religion, with almost 82% of the people adhering
to it. The remainder of the population is Christian (9%), Buddhism|Buddhist
(2%), and Hindu (7%). Religious conflicts have been numerous in recent years,
especially in the Maluku.
The official language, Bahasa Indonesia - a dialect of Malay - is spoken by
almost everybody, although local languages are usually the primary language.
Culture
Art forms in Indonesia have been influenced by several cultures. The famous
Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture
and mythology.
Also well-known are the Javanese and Balinese wayang kulit shadow theatre
shows, displaying several mythological events. Several Islands are famous
for their batik and ikat cloth.
In the book Max Havelaar, Dutch author Multatuli criticised the Dutch
treatment of the Indonesians, which gained him international attention.
Transportation in Indonesia
Railways:
total: 6,458 km
narrow gauge: 5,961 km 1.067-m gauge (101 km electrified; 101 km double
track); 497 km 0.750-m gauge (1995)
Highways:
total: 342,700 km
paved: 158,670 km
unpaved: 184,030 km (1997 est.)
Waterways:
21,579 km total; Sumatra 5,471 km, Java and Madura 820 km, Kalimantan 10,460
km, Sulawesi (Celebes) 241 km, Irian Jaya 4,587 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 2,505 km; petroleum products 456 km; natural gas 1,703 km (1989)
Ports and harbors:
Cilacap, Cirebon, Jakarta, Kupang, Palembang, Semarang, Surabaya,
Ujungpandang
Merchant marine:
total: 586 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,676,875 GRT/3,700,864 DWT
ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 346, chemical tanker 9, container 19,
liquified gas 5, livestock carrier 1, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 13,
petroleum tanker 114, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 11, short-sea
passenger 8, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 5 (1999 est.)
Airports: 446 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 127
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 31 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 319
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 281 (1999 est.)
National airline:
Garuda Indonesia
Heliports:
4 (1999 est.)
Islands of Indonesia
Indonesia is an archipelago made of 18,108 islands (latest satellite images),
whereof about 6,000 are inhabited.
Major islands of Indonesia:
Greater Sunda Islands
Borneo (Kalimantan part), the third largest island in the world
Java
Sulawesi (formerly known as Celebes)
Sumatra
New Guinea (western half: Papua; eastern half is the independent country of
Papua New Guinea)
Other Indonesian islands:
Bangka Island
Belitung
Madura
Mentawai Islands
Natuna Islands
Riau Islands
Batam
Bintan
Karimun
Lesser Sunda Islands or Nusa Tenggara Islands
Adonara
Alor
Bali
Flores
Komodo
Lombok
Rote
Solor
Sumba
Sumbawa
Timor (western half: West Timor; eastern half is the independent country of
East Timor)
Maluku Islands (or Moluccas)
Ambon (Amboyna)
Aru Islands (Kepulauan Aru)
Bacan
Banda Islands (Kepulauan Banda)
Barat Daya Islands
Damar
Romang
Wetar
Buru
Halmahera group
Morotai
Ternate
Tidore
Haruku
Kai Islands
Kai Besar
Kai Dulah
Kai Kecil
Leti Islands
Machian
Nusa Laut
Pulau-Pulau Terselatan
Babar Island
Kisar
Saparua
Seram
Tanimbar Islands (Kepulauan Tanimbar, also called Timor Laut)
Larat
Selaru
Wuliaru
Yamdena
List of Indonesians
Majapahit Heroes
Hayam Wuruk
Gajah Mada
Sabdapalon
Jayabaya
Indonesian Heroes
Jayabaya
Tuanku Imam Bonjol
Soekarno
Mohammad Hatta
Abdul Haris Nasution
Sutan Sjahrir
Entertainment
Michelle Branch, singer, part-Indonesian descent
Van Halen, rock singer, half-Indonesian and Dutch descent
Jade Marcela, Hawaiian born porn actress
Anggun, singer, Indonesian
Political Leaders
Soeharto
Megawati Sukarnoputri
B.J. Habibie
Abdurrahman Wahid
Sutan Sjahrir
Hamengku Buwono IX
Hamzah Haz
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Jusuf Kalla
Wiranto
Hidayat Nur Wahid
Amien Rais
D. N. Aidit
Athletes
Rudy Hartono (Badminton)
Liem Swie King (Badminton)
Yayuk Basuki (Tennis)
Alan Budi Kusuma (Badminton)
Susi Susanti (Badminton)
Writers
Goenawan Mohammad (Writer)
Multatuli (Dutch expatriate)
Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Technology Related
Onno W Purbo
Budi Rahardjo
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