Overview

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world.  It is a republic with political power organized around the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government.  Indonesia is part of G-20 and its economy is the biggest in South East Asia. 

Geography

Located in equator in Southeast Asia and Oceania, Indonesia largest country in Southeast Asia.  With total area of 8,063,601 km² (3,113,374 sq mi), it extends about 5,120 kilometres (3,181 mi) from east to west and 1,760 kilometres (1,094 mi) from north to south.  Indonesia has over 17,000 islands and plenty of natural resources.  Nearly 60 percent of Indonesia’s land is forested and a significant portion is mountainous and volcanic.

Capital and Big Cities

Jakarta:

Surabaya:

Bali:

Medan:

Balikpapan:

Population

Indonesia population is 273.5 people in 2020 (source: worldometer).  Over two thirds of the population resides in Java, the center of the country’s economic and political power.

Diversity

The Indonesian national motto “Unity in Diversity” points to one of the most diverse ethnic in any country.  There are some 300 ethnic groups, a result of both the country’s unique geography and history. Many Indonesians may see themselves first by their ethnic and cultural group and secondly as Indonesians. The national language, Bahasa Indonesia, and national philosophy, Pancasila, bind the people together.

Religion

Six religions are formally recognized in Indonesia and have official national holidays commemorating events of importance to their followers.  Read about religious holidays in Indonesia.  About 87% of the population is Muslim. Roughly 10% is Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic) and approximately 3% is Hindu, Buddhist or Confucian.  While the country is predominantly Muslim, the government is secular and therefore is not based on a single religion.

Economy

The economy of Indonesia is the largest in Southeast Asia and is one of the emerging market economies of the world. Indonesia is a member of G20 and classified as a newly industrialized country.It is the 16th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP and the 7th largest in terms of GDP (PPP). Estimated at US$40 billion in 2019, Indonesia’s Internet economy is expected to cross the US$130 billion mark by 2025.Indonesia still depends on domestic market and government budget spending and its ownership of state-owned enterprises (the central government owns 141 enterprises). The administration of prices of a range of basic goods (including rice and electricity) also plays a significant role in Indonesia’s market economy. However, since the 1990s, the majority of the economy has been controlled by individual Indonesians and foreign companies.