Indonesia is the world’s largest island country in Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 individual islands, including the well-known islands of Java, Sumatra, Bali, Lombok, and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor. With a population of over 270 million people, it’s the world’s 4th most populous country. The national language is Bahasa Indonesian (similar to Malay), though hundreds of local languages and dialects are also spoken across the islands. Indonesia has 34 provinces with distinct cultures, dialects, customs and cuisine.
The landscapes across the Indonesian archipelago vary dramatically, from rugged mountains to black and white sand beaches to dense tropical jungles. Many islands have volcanic peaks, and Indonesia has over 400 active volcanoes, including the famous Krakatoa volcano. Popular outdoor activities include trekking to see orangutans in Sumatra, surfing in Bali, climbing Mount Bromo volcano in Java, and scuba diving at Komodo National Park.
If you would like us to curate personalised Indonesia tour packages, message us on Instagram – we’ll be happy to help.
Indonesian culture reflects strong Hindu and Buddhist influences, Islam, Christianity, and native customs. Handicrafts like batik fabric, woven baskets, and wooden carvings are made throughout the islands. Gamelan music and shadow puppet theatres are also popular traditional art forms. Indonesian food varies by region but is known for being flavorful and containing many spices, such as chillies, coconut milk, fish sauce, and ginger.