Official Name. Republic of Indonesia.
Capital. Jakarta.
Indonesia. From the Greek Indos Nesos (Indian Islands).

Coat of Arms. Mythological bird Garuda represents creative energy; eight tail feathers, 17 pairs of wing feathers, and 45 neck feathers represent the date of the proclamation of independence, Aug. 17, 1945. The shield symbolizes both struggle and protection; the star in the center symbolizes belief in the one supreme God; the golden chain represents just and civilized humanity; the banyan tree represents nationalism (unity); the buffalo (banteng) head represents democracy; and rice and cotton (food and clothing) represent social justice. The bar across the center represents the equator. The motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

Anthem. 'Indonesia Raya' (Greater Indonesia).

The largest country, both in area and population, in Southeast Asia is the Republic of Indonesia. It consists of 13,677 islands that cover 741,101 square miles (1,919,443 square kilometers) of land along the equator between the Indian and Pacific oceans. With a population of more than 200 million, it ranks as the world's fourth most populous country. 

The nation is poor, with a low standard of living, even though it has many valuable natural resources. These include large onshore and offshore petroleum and natural gas deposits, huge tracts of tropical hardwood forests, and a variety of minerals, including tin, nickel, and copper. However, only about 10 percent of the land can be used for raising crops. 

Mountain Ranges. Barisan (Sumatra), Muller (Borneo), Maoke (Irian Jaya).
Highest Peak. Puncak Jaya, 16,503 feet (5,030 meters).
Largest Lake. Toba.
Major Rivers. Barito, Kapuas, Mahakam.
Climate. Tropical; thunderstorms are common.

People

Population (1991 estimate): 181,451,000; 241.2 persons per square mile (93.1 persons per square kilometer); 30.9 percent urban, 69.1 percent rural.
Origin. Malayan, small number of Chinese.
Major Religions. Islam, Christianity, Bali-Hinduism, Buddhism.
Major Languages. Bahasa Indonesia (official), English (official, all laws must be published in English as well as Bahasa Indonesia, and English is taught in schools), Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese.
Literacy. 60 percent.

Major Cities (1985 estimate).
Jakarta (7,829,000). The capital, chief port, and main commercial center 
Surabaya (2,345,000). Agricultural, industrial, and shipping center 
Medan (2,110,000). Largest city on Sumatra; agricultural, banking, and shipping center.
Bandung (1,633,000). Education and cultural center 

Government

Form of Government. Republic.

Chief of State and Head of Government. President.

Legislature. The House of People's Representatives (500 members--400 directly elected, 100 appointed), People's Consultative Assembly (1,000 members--includes the 500 members of the House of People's Representatives plus 500 other delegates).

Voting Qualifications. 17 years of age; must be able to speak Bahasa Indonesia and read and write.

Political Divisions. 24 provinces--Bali, Bengkulu, Central Java, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, Irian Jaya, Jambi, Lampung, Maluku, North Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Riau, South East Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, South Sumatra, West Java, West Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatra; 2 special autonomous districts--Aceh, Yogyakarta; 1 metropolitan district--Jakarta.

Economy

Chief Agricultural Products. Crops--cassava, copra, corn (maize), palm oil, rice, rubber, sugarcane. Livestock--cattle, goats, sheep, water buffalo.

Chief Mined Products. Bauxite, coal, copper, crude petroleum, iron, natural gas, nickel, silver, tin.

Chief Manufactured Products. Cement, charcoal, chemicals, electrical machinery, fertilizers, food products, glass, paper, plastics, plywood and other wood products, refined petroleum products, rubber products, textiles, tires, tobacco products, transport equipment.

Monetary Unit. 1 rupiah = 100 sen.

Places of Interest

Bali. Hindu-Indonesian cultural center; specialized puppet show known as wayang; volcanic scenery; beaches.
Bandung. Mountain scenery, slopes dotted with tea plantations.
Bogor. Presidential Summer Palace, botanical gardens, hot springs.
Borobudur. Architectural monument illustrating the life and doctrine of Buddha.
Medan. Great Mosque, Palace of the Sultan of Deli.
Surakarta, or Solo. Historic royal Javanese capital, Palace of the Sultans of Solo.
Yogyakarta. Cradle of Javanese arts and culture, batik industry.
 
 

Inflation(CPI)       : 56,7% 
GDP(growth)       : -16.5% 
Per-capita(GDP) : $ 3,970 
Per-capita(GNP) : $ 998 
Population           : 201 millions 
Pop. growth        : 1.6% 
Exports 12 mo    : $ 53.6b. 
Curr. account     : -$ 4.8b. 
balance 
Reserve (ecl.      :  $ 17.7b 
gold) 
Foreign  debt      : $ 138.0b 
Life expectancy  : 63 
People per tel     : 47.7 
 

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