Spread across a chain of thousands of islands between the Asian and Australian continent and the Indian and Pacific Ocean, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with over 17,800 islands – most of which are unpopulated. This gives Indonesia a high ethical diversity, with more than 100 ethnic groups and 200 local languages spread along Sabang (West Island of Indonesia) until Merauke (East Region of Indonesia). With Pancasila as the national ideology, Indonesia walks in a ‘Unity in Diversity’,the Indonesian life consists of ethical and religious diversity.
DEMOGRAPHIC
Indonesia is the 4th most densely populated country, with the most populated islands in the world, Java Island. In 2010 statistics, Indonesia has more than 238 million users of the Indonesia language (official language). Full of diverse ethnics and religions most Indonesians appreciate the rules, ethics, and norms in their region. More than 85% of Indonesian citizens are Muslim, this makes Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim populated country. The other religions are divided as followed: 9% Protestant, 3% Catholic, 1,8% Hindu, 0,8% Buddha, and 0,3% others.
GEOGRAPH
If you come to Indonesia, prepare yourself for a tropical rainforest-like climate. There are 2 seasons throughout the year, the dry season, from June to October , influenced by the Australian continental air masses, and rain season, from November to March that is caused by Asia and the Pacific Ocean air-masses. Though it is different in every region, some cities may have low temperature and high rainfall like in Bandung and Bogor city and the others are dry and have high temperature like Denpasar and Makassar. The average temperature in Indonesia during the dry season is 30-31° C and rainy season is 24-25°. The best time to travel to Indonesia is in June and September during dry season as it is easier for you to visit places.
CULTURE AND ETHICS
Living in Indonesia, that has various cultures and beliefs, there are many guidelines that everyone should follow, including the Internationalers. We have strict rules for ethics and norms which are different from Western countries or any other Eastern country.
- Greeting is a must for Indonesians. Indonesia is known as a nice country and the citizens are friendly to everyone. If you are in Indonesia, just greet everyone and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- As an Eastern country, Indonesia has strict rules concerning sexual behaviour. We prohibited pornography and action belong to laws and punish them if it go to public. You can’t do public affection such as hugging or kissing, if you are married or not. You can not go out with minimal clothing except if you are in a beach or pool area, a shirt and trousers is best combination for casual fashion in here.
TRAVELLING
The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 13,466 large and small tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even still unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow. Indonesia has a total population of over 260 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia.
Among the most well known islands are Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), the Maluku Islands (or better known as Moluccas, the original Spice Islands) and Papua. Then, there is Bali “the world’s best island resort” with its enchanting culture, beaches, dynamic dances and music. But Indonesia still has many unexplored islands with grand mountain views, green rainforests to track through, rolling waves to surf and deep blue pristine seas to dive in where one can swim with dugongs, dolphins and large manta rays.
Culturally, wonderful Indonesia fascinates with its rich diversity of ancient temples and music, ranging from traditional to modern pop, dances, rituals and ways of life, changing from island to island, region to region. Yet everywhere the visitor feels welcomed with that warm, gracious innate friendliness of the Indonesian people which is not easily forgotten.
