The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia
in the early 17th century; the islands were occupied
by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its
independence after Japan's surrender, but it required
four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring
hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands
agreed to relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the
world's largest archipelagic state. Current issues
include: alleviating widespread poverty, preventing
terrorism, continuing the transition to popularly-elected
governments after four decades of authoritarianism,
implementing reforms of the banking sector, addressing
charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the
military and police accountable for human rights
violations, and resolving armed separatist movements
in Aceh and Papua.
The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta and the climate
varies by region but is generally hot and humid.
The unemployment rate is 9.2% and 27% fall below
the poverty line.
POPULATION
Population of the country is 241,973,879 (July 2005
est.) with a population growth rate of 1.45% (2005
est.). Indonesia is ranked the world's fourth most
populous nation after China, India and Pakistan.
ETHNIC GROUPS
Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal
Malays 7.5%, other 26%
There are 365 ethnic and tribal groups.
The principal ones are Acehnese, Bataks, Minangkabaus
(Sumatra); Javanese, Sundanese (Java); Balinese
(Bali); Sasaks (Lombok); and Dani (Irian Jaya)
LANGUAGE
Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language.
It is similar to Malay and written in the Roman
alphabet. All together, there are an estimated 583
languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago
(e.g. Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak,
Tetum of Timor, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese,
Halmahera, Ambonese, Ceramese, and several Irianese
languages), all languages are spoken in a variety
of local dialects. English is the most widely used
foreign language for business and tourism, and many
people in the more remote areas have a basic command
of English. The older generation still speaks Dutch
as a second language and French is spoken at some
of the better hotels and restaurants.
RELIGION
Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu
2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% (1998)
CURRENCY
The local currency used is Indonesian rupiah (IDR).
Although there should be no difficulty exchanging
major currencies in the main tourist centres, problems
may occur elsewhere. The easiest currency to exchange
is the US Dollar.
All major credit cards are widely
accepted in Jakarta and the main tourist areas.
Be very careful using credit cards as numbers are
easily copied and the full number is shown on all
copies of receipts. In more remote areas, it is
best to carry cash in small denominations. Check
with your credit or debit card company for details
of merchant acceptability and other services which
may be available.
Limited merchant accept travelers’
cheques but it can be easily exchanged at banks
and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange
rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers
cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
VISA AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA) are available to foreign visitors
arriving by air in Jakarta (SOE-HAT), Bali (Ngurah
Rai), Medan (Polonia), Manado (Sam Ratulangi), Surabaya
(Juanda), and Padang (Tabing), as well as sea ports
of Batam, Tanjung Priok, Belawan, Jayapura, Benoa,
and Tanjung Perak.
Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) are available
to the nationals of the following countries:
United States of America, Australia, South Africa,
Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates,
Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan,
Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland,
Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan.
VoAs are valid for either 3 or 30
days upon arrival in Indonesia. A 3-day visa will
cost $USD10 while a 30-day visa will cost $USD25.
11 countries enjoy the visa-free status and need not apply for a VoA:
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam,
the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Chile, Morocco,
Peru, and Vietnam.
Citizens of countries
not stated above are required to apply for a visa
at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country
of residence http://www.indonesiaphoto.com/content/view/173/40/.
Nationals of Israel will be refused entry unless
they have applied to the Immigration Office in Indonesia,
prior to traveling, to obtain a special permit.
To apply for a tourist visa, submit
your Passport (valid for at least six months from
date of entry), application form (the original not
a photocopy, signed by the applicant), one recent
colour passport-size photo, proof of sufficient
funds and visa fee. Single-entry visas are valid
for three months from date of issue for a maximum
stay of 60 days.
AIRPORT TAX
A departure tax of Rp.100, 000 is required on international
flights. Infants under the age of two are exempted.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Indonesia usually 220 volts/250 cycles
in large cities, but 110 volts is still used in
some areas. Normal outlets are plugs with two rounded
pins.
TAP WATER
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Indonesia,
but bottled mineral water is safe and available
everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good
standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to
avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
VACCINATIONS/ MEDICAL SERVICES
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless
coming from or passing through an infected area
(e.g. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required from travellers coming from infected areas).
It is advisable to check for updated health recommendations
regarding typhoid, Hepatitis A, malaria etc before
your departure to Indonesia.
Adequate routine medical care is
available in all major cities, but emergency services
are generally inadequate outside major cities.
CLIMATE
Tropical climate varying from area to area. The
eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June
to September), while the western monsoon brings
the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur
all year. Higher regions are cooler.
TIME
Indonesia spans three time zones:
Bangka, Balitung, Java, West and Central Kalimantan,
Madura and Sumatra: GMT +7 (West), GMT+8 (Central),
GMT+9 (East).
Bali, Flores, South and East Kalimantan, Lombok,
Sulawesi, Sumba, Sumbawa and Timor: GMT +8.
Aru, Irian Jaya, Kai, Moluccas and Tanimbar: GMT +9.
CLOTHING
Casual clothes are acceptable in most places. Shorts,
halters or tank tops should only be used at sports
facilities or on the beach.
Sources:
CIA
world fact book, August 2005
Indonesia
Country Guide
Indonesia
Tourism
Indonesia.com
Indo.com
