Country's Full Name: Republic of Indonesia, Republik Indonesia

Brief History: The early inhabitants of this group of islands came from India or Myanmar. Migrants from China began their presence in 3000 BC. Many of the islands were influenced by Buddhist Srivijaya Empire and Hindu's Mataram kingdom. The last Hindu kingdom to rule in 13th century was Majapahits finally confining only to Bali. Islamic kingdom spread in the 14th century. Portuguese colonized the islands in 16th century. But their presence was short-lived with Dutch East India Company controlling most of the trade. By 1922 Indonesia was an integral part of Netherlands. Indonesia got their independence from Japan which had occupied its territory after Second World War. Suharto and Mohammad Hatta were the two nationalists who led their country achieve independence. Today, Indonesia is inundated with rising un-employment, poverty, corruption and the insurgency.

What is the country known for: Indonesia is a multi cultural society deeply influenced with Buddhist and Hindu impressions.
Indonesia has largest number of active volcanoes calling it as ring of fire. Tsunami, originating in Indonesia due to earthquake in December 2005 led to destruction of life and property. Frequent earthquakes are common.

Main Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, food, tourism.
The country has natural resources: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver.
Agricultural produce: Rice, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, rubber, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, copra; poultry, beef, pork, eggs.

Main Trading Partners: Export partners (2006): Japan 19.3%, Singapore 11.8%, US 11.5%, South Korea 7.8%, China 7.7%. Export commodities: Oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, textiles, rubber. Total $102.3 billion f.o.b.
Import partners (2006): Singapore 30.3%, China 11.5%, Japan 9%, Malaysia 5%, Thailand 4.1%, and Australia 4%. Import commodities: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs. Total $77.73 f.o.b.

Major Cities: Jakarta (capital): population 13,194,000 (metro); 8,389,443 (proper city)
Surabaya: population 3,038,800; Bandung: population 2,733,500; Medan: population 2,204,300; Samarang: population 1,267,100.

Location:The largest archipelago with 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited) lies across the equator in Indian and Pacific Oceans.
5 00 S, 120 00 E

Size: Land area 699,548 sq mi; 1,811,831 sq km
Total area: 741,096 sq mi; 1,919,440 sq km
Indonesia is slightly less than three-times the size of Texas.

Time Zone: Indonesia follows three-time-zones.
West Time Zone (Asia/Jakarta) covering Sumatra, Java, Western Borneo: UTC/GMT 7 hours
Central Time Zone (Asia/Ujung_Pandang) covering Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali, Eastern Borneo: UTC/GMT 8 hours.
Eastern Time Zone (Asia/Jayapura) covering Irian Jaya, Maluku: UTC/GMT 9 hours.

Type of Government: After a prolonged rule by the military dictator, Indonesia migrated to parliamentary democracy. Executive decisions are taken by the president who is also the head of state. The 550 member House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) are elected for five-year-term. The House of Regional Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD) raises the issues of regional problems. The third house People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat or MPR) meets to impeach the president or to make constitutional amendments.

Present President: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (since 20 October 2004)
Present Vice President: Muhammad Yusuf Kalla (since 20 October 2004)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
14 Feb Chinese New Year.
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
16 Mar Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
2 Apr Good Friday.
28 Apr Waisak Day (Buddha's Birthday).
13 May Ascension.
9 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Islamic New Year.
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.


Population:
July 2007 estimate: 234,693,997

0-14 years: 28.7% (male 34,309,176/female 33,148,341)
15-64 years: 65.6% (male 77,132,708/female 76,731,481)
65 years and over: 5.7% (male 5,956,471/female 7,415,820)

Median age: 26.9 years (male 26.4 years/female 27.4 years)
Life expectancy: 70.16 years (male 67.69 years/female 72.76 years)

Religion: Islam 86.1%, Protestants 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, others 2.2%.

Language: Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch, Javanese and more than 580 other languages and dialects.

Local Customs:
While meeting shaking hands is customary. Don't shake hands with left hand, considered impolite.
Woman should not wear revealing clothes.
Hugging or kissing of the opposite sex in public is prohibited.
Avoid prolonged eye-contact with an Indonesian as it can be termed aggressive.
Don't stand with your hands on hips for long; it will disturb the native as sign of anger.
Finger inserted between thumb and middle-finger will offend anyone.

Best Time to go: The temperature in most of the islands remains hot and humid. It is better to go between May and October. Australians pack their bags during Christmas vacations. Europeans prefer in their summer vacations. The Indonesians have their holidays after the end of Ramadan.


Currency:
1 US Dollar = 9,404.90 Indonesian Rupiah
1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) = 0.0001063 US Dollar (USD)
1 British Pound = 19,076.1 Indonesian Rupiah
1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) = 0.00005242 British Pound (GBP)
1 Euro = 13,068.2 Indonesian Rupiah
1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) = 0.00007652 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations:
The regulations depend on the number of day's stay.
One week stay - Two liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 grams of tobacco.
Two week stay - Two liters of alcohol, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco.
Three weeks and above - Two liters of alcohol, 600 cigarettes, 150 cigars, 300 grams of tobacco.

Tipping:
Most hotels/restaurants include a service charge of 21%, if it is included in the bill tipping is not required. In other hotels where service charge is not included tip of 5-10% would be appreciated.
In airports the porter expects Rp 2,000 for smaller bag; pay Rp 3,000 for a bigger one.
Taxi drivers don't expect tip, but leaving Rp 1,000 will bring a smile. Hire-car drivers expect a larger gratitude.