Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a nation of islands consisting of almost 18,000 islands located in the South East Asian Archipelago. From the city of Sabang to Merauke to east about 5000 km and from the Island of Miangas to the Islands of Rote to south about 1000 km, Indonesia respects its diversity with the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or "Unity in Diversity". Jakarta, the nation's capital city is located on island of Java, which is one of the five most populated Indonesian islands, along with Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi and New Guinea.
Indonesia declared its independence from the Japanese on August 17, 1945. The country has more than 200 million citizens and is the most populous Muslim-majority nation. Currently, Indonesia is trying to recover after a series of disasters such as the 2004 Tsunami and 2006 Java earthquake.
Jakarta (also Djakarta or DKI Jakarta), formerly known as Sunda Kelapa, Jayakarta and Batavia is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Located on the northwest coast of the island of Java, at 6°11′S, 106°50′E, it has an area of 661.52 km² and a population of 8,792,000 (2004) Jakarta has been developed for more than 490 years and currently is the ninth most dense city in the world with 44,283 people per square miles.
As a capital city, Jakarta is the location of the international embassies while also is the location of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Since 2002, Jakarta, under the governance of Sutiyoso, has developed its new transportation system, which is known as "TransJakarta" or "Busway" and in 2007, Jakarta will establish its newest transportation system, the Jakarta Monorail. (read more...)
... that there is a lake called Kelimutu Lake or Danau Tiga Warna (three colors lake) in East Nusa Tenggara? It has three colors and changes periodically every year.
... that the Bugis, a sea-faring people of Southern Sulawesi, were trading with Aboriginal people of Northern Australia long before European colonists arrived in the area. The products of the forest and sea that they brought back were avidly sought after in the markets of Asia, where they were bartered for opium, silk, cotton, firearms and gunpowder.
... that the Javan Rhinoceros is one of the rarest and most endangered large mammals anywhere in the world. According to 2002 estimates, only about 60 remain alive, in Indonesia and Vietnam. They are primarily found in Ujung Kulon National Park, Java, but sightings are extremely rare.
... that Puncak Jaya is the highest point in Indonesia? The mountain is located in Papua and reaches 4,884m (16,024 feet) above the sea level.
Nov 2 Tremors grow more frequent on around Mount Kelut (pic), signs of an imminent volcano eruption. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from the mountain. (AP/AFP via News.com.au)