INDONESIA

Capital	: Jakarta
National Population	: 200 million
Language	: Bahasa Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast and beautifully diverse country consisting of more than 17,000 islands, of which anly about 6,000 are inhabitated, stretching more than 5,000 kms between the Australia and Asia continental main island and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans on the Equator. Indonesia offers the blend of scenic beauty, flora and fun, culture and marine parks.

There are stunning architectural features on the island

The main island of Java is the most populous and where the capital city, Jakarta, located. Jakarta is home to millions of people, a varied blend of shops, good museums, great nightlife, nationalistic monuments and bustling port of Old Batavia. The cultural capital of Yogyakarta is relaxed and offers a window to traditional arts and crafts.

It is possible to experience traditional Ramayana theatre in Yogyakarta. Nearby archaeological site of Borobudur and Prambanan is one of the seventh world best heritages located in Central Java. Volcanoes from a backbone to Java with Mounts Bromo and Merapi popular tourist sites. Other Javanese towns of interest include Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, Solo and Malang.

Just off East Java are the popular island resorts of Bali and Lombok. These tranquil islands are the tropical playgrounds of Idonesia with great beaches, resorts, nightlife, food, shopping and interesting cultural contrast. It is posible to experience Balinese dance and theatre in Ubud, Bali.

The islands to the east of Lombok provide an adventurous journey to many varied cultures. Komodo island is the home of the famous dragon reptile and Flores is renowned for its incredible beauty and challenging dives. Sumba is the home of to many intricate ikat textiles and Sulawesi is a cultural melting pot.

Balinese boats crusing round the islands

The island of Sumatra, the word's fifth largest, is less settled and featured vast rainforest, orang utans, beautiful Lake Toba and commercial centres of Bukittinggi and Medan.

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of the island Borneo and its transected by wide rivers and forests for plantations. Several ethnic groups live here and there are opportunities to visit their villages. The travelling is adventurous with enermous distances between settlements.

Irian Jaya is culturally unique even by Indonesian standard to the rest of Indonesia and a part of west Irian province is the most original tourist areas in the world. The scenary ranges from snow capped peaks to vast riverine wetlands with view people in between.

Indonesian food varies from region to region but it is cheap, easily accessible and fresh. Fresh fruit is a highlight. Indonesian love to watch and play badminton and football. The diverse culture ensures many diverse holidays most of which are related to religious calendars.

For more information, please visit http://www.budpar.go.id/.

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