Geography
- Full country name: Republic of Indonesia
- Population: 246,000,000 (CIA World Factbook, 2011).
- Border countries: Timor-Leste (East Timor), Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
- Climate: tropical - hot and humid throughout the seasons with heavy rainfall most common from December to March.
- Terrain: Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago with over 17,500 islands (of which 6,000 are inhabited) and is dotted with mountains, volcanoes and rainforests. It is a largely rural country with some overcrowding within the major cities.
- Natural hazards: Indonesia sits along a volatile seismic strip called the 'ring of fire' and volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are possible. Floods occur regularly during the rainy season from December to March.
Living in Indonesia
- Cost of living: varies considerably depending on location and lifestyle, but generally the cost of living in Indonesia is low compared with the UK. You should be aware that certain services and facilities may not be available in more rural areas.
- Utilities: water quality is often poor so be sure to use bottled water or boil before use. Disruption to electricity services is frequent due to heavy rain and high consumer demand. Many households choose to run appliances using bottled gas for reliability.
- Internet domain: .id
- Health: the standard of local medical care in Indonesia can be poor and some medical tests cannot be carried out reliably. Good medical attention for serious injuries or illness may be unobtainable in remote areas, so you should ensure that your insurance policy covers you for medical evacuation by air ambulance. Polio, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid, malaria, dengue fever and avian flu all occur in Indonesia. Seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
- Laws and customs: drug possession and gambling are illegal and penalties for both are severe. Despite being a Muslim majority country, same-sex relationships are legal in almost all of Indonesia, although same-sex couples receive no legal recognition.
Economy and finance
- Currency: rupiah (IDR)
- Type of economy: capitalist, market-based economy.
- Health of economy: Indonesia’s economy has continued to grow despite a global financial crisis. It has also been less hard hit by recession than its neighbouring countries, which rely more on exports. Even so, Indonesia still has high levels of poverty.
- Unemployment rate: 7.1%.
- Main exports: oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber, palm oil, cars.
Culture
- People: Javanese (40.6%), Sundanese (15%), Madurese (3.3%), Minangkabau (2.7%), Betawi (2.4%), Bugis (2.4%), Banten (2%), Banjar (1.7%), other (29.9%).
- Major religion: Islam. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world.
- History: see BBC Timeline: Indonesia
- Local etiquette: Indonesia is a majority Muslim country and you should respect local sensitivities, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas. Status is important in Indonesian society and behaviour should be modified accordingly. The exchange of small gifts is a common practice. Attention should be paid to certain gestures that Indonesians consider offensive. For example, you should not hand anything to another person using your left hand, and you should be careful to avoid exposing the sole of your shoe or foot. A comprehensive guide to etiquette in the workplace can be found at Living in Indonesia, A Site for Expatriates
.
Politics
- Type of government: presidential republic.
- Major political parties: Democratic Party, Golkar, Indonesian Democratic Party, Prosperous Justice Party, National Mandate Party, United Development Party and National Awakening Party.
Travel advice
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
website.
