Indonesia On the Blog

Indonesia On the Blog - Republic of Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia, which is crossed by the equator and located between the continents of Asia and Australia as well as between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country consisting of 13 487 islands, therefore it is also known as Nusantara. With a population of 222 million people in 2006, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and the largest Muslim country in the world, although not officially an Islamic state.

History of Indonesia is heavily influenced by other nations. Indonesia archipelago became an important trade region since at least the 7th century,  when the Kingdom Sriwijaya in Palembang  has relations in religion and trades with China and India. Hindu kingdoms and Buddhism has been growing in the early centuries AD, followed by the traders who brought Islam, and various European powers fought each other to monopolize the spice trade in the Moluccas during the era of ocean exploration.

From Sabang to Merauke, Indonesia consists of various ethnic, linguistic, Culture and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest ethnic group and most politically dominant. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" it means "It varies, but remains one", articulates the diversity that shapes the country. Besides having a dense population and vast territory, Indonesia has a natural area that supports the second largest biodiversity in the world.