Introduction
Balmy breezes, silky sand and the occasional Komodo Dragon.
Adventure looms large in this vast and steamy archipelago, where the best of southeast Asia's spicy melange simmers tantalisingly. Heady scents, vivid colours, dramatic vistas and diverse cultures spin and multiply, their potent brew leaving your senses reeling.
Indonesia's cities are in a constant state of urban evolution, where dense populations, technology and construction live in hectic symbiosis. But most of the archipelago's territory remains unexplored, concealing a wealth of cultures and a myriad of landscapes.
Geography:
The Indonesian archipelago comprises more than 17,000 islands - 6000 of which are inhabited - and shares borders with Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. Stretching like a backbone down the western coast of Sumatra is a line of active and extinct volcanoes. These continue through Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, then loop through the Banda Islands of Maluku to northeastern Sulawesi. Under 10% of the total land area is suitable for farming, while two-thirds consists of woodland, forests and mangrove swamp (mostly found in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua).Capital:
Jakarta (pop 9.3 million)Time zone:
GMT +7 GMT +8 GMT +9Area:
1919440Population:
234893453Country Facts
Recent History
Long-term president, General Suharto was forced to resign in 1998 after decades of keeping control of the country in his own hands. In 2004, Indonesia's first-ever direct presidential elections saw Megawati Sukarnoputri replaced by the new president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The president has identified the fight against terrorism as a key challenge, and tourism is slowly returning to the numbers experienced at the end of the 1990s.
In 2005, Yudhoyono's administration won international acclaim for signing a peace deal with separatist rebels in Aceh province, and successful elections were held in December 2006 to elect a governor.
Communications
Telephone
Country Code: +62. Many hotel lobbies have public phones which take credit cards and phone cards. State-operated phone booths or offices (Telkom) and privately-owned companies (wartel, warpostel or warparpostel), which work on a pay-as-you-leave basis, can be found in towns and cities throughout the country.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage may be limited to main towns and cities.
Internet
There are Internet cafés in all major cities and tourist destinations.
Media
Media freedom increased considerably after the end of President Suharto's rule in 1998, during which the now-defunct Ministry of Information monitored and controlled domestic media and restricted foreign media.
Post
Airmail to western Europe, the USA and Australia takes about 10 days. An express service is available.Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1300 (hours may be longer in city centers).
Press
• Kompas and Pos Kota are mass-circulation dailies.
• English-language newspapers include The Jakarta Post and the weekly Tempo magazine.
Radio
• Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) is a public broadcaster that operates six national networks, regional and local stations, and the external service, Voice of Indonesia.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
3 Feb Chinese New Year
15 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
4 Apr Nyepi (Hindu New Year)
22 Apr Good Friday
9 May Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday)
2 Jun Ascension
28 Jun Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day
31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
26 Nov Islamic New Year
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day
2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
23 Jan Chinese New Year
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
6 Apr Good Friday
13 Apr Nyepi (Hindu New Year)
28 Apr Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday)
17 May Ascension
17 Jun Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Islamic New Year
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas Day / Boxing Day
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and so if dates are given above, they are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur.
Contact Information
British Embassy in Indonesia
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No 75, Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 2356 5200.
Website: www.ukinindonesia.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0745-1600; Fri: 0745-1245.
Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of Indonesia
Sapta Pesona Building, Jalal Medan Merdeka Barat 17, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 383 8167.
Website: www.budpar.go.id
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the UK
38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, UK
Consular section: 38A Adam's Row, London W1X 9AD, UK
All post should be addressed to 38 Grosvenor Square.
Tel: (020) 7499 7661.
Website: www.indonesianembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (general and tourist enquiries); 1000-1300 (visa applications) and 1430-1600 (visa collections).
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the USA
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 775 5200.
Website: www.embassyofindonesia.org
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