Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, comprising five main islands and a multitude of smaller archipelagos, with about 17,000 islands strung across the equator. Rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters has bequeathed it with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic scenery of changing landscapes. Racial divides and fierce religious hostility, government corruption, uprisings, economic negligence and, more recently, terrorist attacks have been frequent blights on the Indonesian fabric of society. But it is also these diverse cultures that have given the country a splendid heritage of traditions and art, and for centuries it has been a magnet, constantly drawing thousands of people to its shores despite its turbulent nature. Its position along the Pacific 'ring of fire' contributes to its uneasiness; the country is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Indonesia offers something for everyone. Sumatra has an untouched wilderness and a diversity of wildlife, highland tribes and unique architecture, wonderful resort-lined lakes and quaint hilltop towns. Java features steaming volcanoes, astonishing historical monuments, a sprawling capital city and traditional dance, music and art. The image of paradise is epitomized in Bali, an island of artistic people and elegant temples, stunning scenery, palm groves, beach resorts and diving. Further east, Komodo is the home to the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon. It is a land of vigorous color, of tensions and upheaval, but also of festivals and dancing, golden sunsets and friendly white toothy smiles.

Geography
Indonesia lies between the mainland of South-East Asia and Australia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world’s largest archipelago state. Indonesia is made up of five main islands – Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan (part of the island of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (the western half of New Guinea) – and 30 smaller archipelagos. In total, the Indonesian archipelago consists of about 17,508 islands; 6,000 of these are inhabited and stretch over 4,828km (3,000 miles), most lying in a volcanic belt with more than 300 volcanoes, the great majority of which are extinct. The landscape varies from island to island, ranging from high mountains and plateau to coastal lowlands and alluvial belts.

Official Languages: Indonesian

Demonym: Indonesian

Currency: Rupiah (IDR)

Time Zone: various (UTC+7 to +9)

Internet TLD: .id

Calling Code: +62

Visa formalities for Indonesia:

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to U.K, USA, Australian, Canadian, and Other EU.

Note: Nationals not referred to in VISAS line are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Visa Note
Nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the UK and the USA can apply for a Tourist visa, valid for 30 days (non-extendable), on arrival, provided that they enter through one of the authorized airports or seaports. The website of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia includes a list of all authorized ports of entry (see General Info).

Nationals of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia (and nationals of the countries referred to in the chart above who wish to stay for longer than 30 days) must apply for a Tourist visa, valid for 60 days, before entry to Indonesia.

Visitors who exceed their visa-free stay will be given severe fines and possibly deported or imprisoned.

Types of Visa and Cost
Single-entry: £35. Multiple-entry: £125 (business only). Transit: £15. Tourist visas issued on arrival: minimum US$25, depending on port of entry. Fees are non-refundable.

Validity
Single-entry: Three months from date of issue for a maximum stay of 60 days. Multiple-entry: One year, with each stay lasting no longer than 60 days. The first entry must be within three months of date of issue. Transit: Three months from the date of issue for a maximum stay of seven days.

Applications to:
Consular section at embassy; see General Info. All visitors are advised to process their visas at the visa section at the embassy before entry to Indonesia.

Working Days Required
Five to six. Applications for multiple-entry business visas and applications from nationals of certain countries will need to be referred to the authorities in Indonesia and may take two months or more. There is an additional £5 fee in this case.

Warning
Travelers are advised against all travel to Central Sulawesi Province and Maluku Province, especially Ambon. Both provinces have been subject to outbreaks of internal violence and the security situation continues to remain unsettled.

Travelers are advised to exercise caution when traveling to Aceh, which is emerging from a long-running internal conflict. Visitors should exercise particular caution when traveling to remote areas, and should also monitor all available information on the local situation.

There remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. Foreigners and locations and buildings frequented by foreigners are particularly attractive potential targets to terrorists. Terrorists have shown in previous attacks, like the attacks in Bali in October 2005 and October 2002, and those in Jakarta on the Australian Embassy in September 2004 and the Marriott Hotel in August 2003 that they have the means and the motivation to carry out successful attacks.

Those visiting or resident in Indonesia should exercise caution at all times. Travelers are strongly advised to ensure that they are comfortable with, and regularly review their own and their family’s security arrangements.

Developments in Iraq and on the Middle East Peace Process do affect Indonesia. Travelers should follow news reports and be alert to developments, which might trigger public disturbances. Travelers should take sensible precautions for their personal safety and avoid large crowds, political gatherings and demonstrations.

Indonesia is located in an active earthquake zone, and major earthquakes can occur at any time. There have been two major earthquakes in 2007. The most recent was on 6 March 2007, when an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia. There are reports of over 50 people being killed. 

Outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in Indonesia have resulted in a number of human fatalities. As a precaution, travelers should avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where they may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe and can include the death penalty.

Attractions in Indonesia:

Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppets)

City/Region: Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta Shadow Puppet performances have become a part of Indonesia's cultural heritage. The puppets are lovingly handcrafted out of buffalo or goatskin with moveable limbs that are worked by a highly skilled puppeteer from behind a backlit screen, casting the shadows of the puppets into a spellbinding story. The puppeteer is usually the director, producer and main narrator of the shadow narrated in the local dialects.

Prambanan Temple Complex

Rivaling the Buddhist monument of Borobudur, this magnificent Hindu temple is the largest in Java and the most beautiful in Indonesia. Prambanan was built in the 9th century, possibly to compete with the splendor of Borobudur, or to celebrate the return to power of the Hindu dynasty in Java at the time. The complex is dominated by three main temples, Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, each dedicated to their god, and the walls are decorated with exceptional relief carvings depicting scenes from the famous Hindu classic tale of Ramayana. The Shiva Temple is the largest of the three, soaring above the others at a height of 154ft (47m), containing the impressive statues of Shiva, his elephant-headed son Ganesh and the goddess Durga. From May to October the Ramayana Ballet, a traditional Indonesian dance based on the Ramayana story, is performed on an open-air stage at the complex during the full moon and is a spectacular sight involving hundreds of dancers, singers and musicians.

Transport: Prambanan is a 30-minute bus or taxi journey from Yogyakarta
Hours: Daily from 6am to 6pm
Admission: US$10 or its equivalent in Rupiah

Borobudur

One of the greatest Buddhist monuments in South East Asia, Borobudur was built in the 8th century and stands on top of a hill surrounded by volcanoes and overlooking green fields. It is an immense multi-tiered structure with the Great Stupa (bell-shaped monument) at the top standing 128ft (40m) above the ground, surrounded by numerous smaller stupas, some still containing Buddha statues inside. It is part of a 2.5 mile long (4km) chain of smaller temples, with the Mendut Temple containing three exquisitely carved giant statues of Buddha and two disciples inside. The terraces of Borobudur are covered in sculpted relief’s, with narrative panels illustrating Buddhist beliefs and teachings, and covering an estimated length of 3.5 miles (6km). These masterpieces of individual artistic value have been acknowledged as the most complete and splendid collection of Buddhist relief’s in the world. Built out of millions of blocks of the local volcanic rock joined without the use of mortar, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the primary tourist attraction in Java. The temple lies 25 miles (41km) northwest of Yogyakarta.

Transport: Inclusive tour from Yogya or local bus from Yogya's Umbulharjo bus station
Hours: Daily from 6am to 5pm; Manohara Hotel's Sunrise Tour allows visitors into the temple at 4.30 AM
Admission: US$11, or equivalent in Rupiah. Manohara Hotel runs a daily Sunrise Tour for an additional US$10

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Ancient Tengger crater in its midst stretches for six miles (10km) and within its sheer volcanic walls are three peaks, namely Batok, Kursi and the smoking Mt Bromo. Thousands of tourists make the journey up Mt Bromo for the unforgettable spectacle at sunrise (during the dry season) when the surrounding landscape takes on an otherworldly quality. The views from the top and into the smoking crater are unbelievable. To reach the foot of the volcano one must cross the vast Sea of Sand out of which Mt Bromo rises, either on horseback or by foot, and then climb a flight of stairs that leads to the crater rim where the unmistakable smell of sulphur permeates the air. The small village of Cemora Lawang, perched at the edge of the crater, is the most popular place to stay and has the best views of the area.
Address: Park office: Jl.R.Intan No 6, Malang, East Java
Phone Number: (0341)41828 (Park office)

Ubud

City/Region:Bali
Set in the hills north of Denpasar, Ubud is the cultural center of Bali and the major attractions of the town and its surrounding villages are the art museums and galleries, notably the Neka Museum, containing a huge collection of traditional and modern Balinese paintings. An enormous variety of Balinese art and crafts line the streets and crowd the market place of Ubud, and frequent performances of traditional dance and music, and restaurants offering some of the best food on the island, compel visitors to stay much longer than intended. Ubud is also close to several sites of interest, including the 'Mother Temple' of Besakih, majestically situated high on the slopes of the Agung Volcano and hiking in the scenic Batur region with its volcano and lakes are popular excursions.

Ampenan

City/Region: Lombok
Resort Name: Senggigi
The vast metropolis of Ampenan, Mataram, Caimanegara and Swete, with a population of around 250,000, comprises four towns, the boundaries of which are all but indistinguishable to the casual visitor. While Sweta is the main transport hub and site of the island's biggest market, Ampenan, the town furthest west, is the main tourist area and the location of most shops, hotels and restaurants. Most visitors pass through the area fairly quickly but there are one or two sights worth seeing nearby, including the weaving factories in the capital Mataram, whose processes have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years, and a weaving village to the south where traditionally dressed women work on wooden handlooms. There are a number of shrines and temples open to visitors, the best are centered on the Mayura Water Palace, dating from 1744 and used by the royal court during the Balinese rule of Lombok.

Bukit Lawang

City/Region: Sumatra
The little village of Bukit Lawang is situated on the eastern banks of the pretty Bahorok River facing one of the grandest forest areas in South East Asia, the Mount Leuser National Park. With its restful and pleasant setting, it was once one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Sumatra, the town existing primarily to cater to the tourist trade, with guides, restaurants and a variety of delightful guesthouses strung along the river. Since November 2003, however, Bukit Lawang has struggled to recover from the massive flash flood that wiped out most of its infrastructure, taking a huge dip in tourism that once formed the backbone of its economy. The charm is still there though, and its major attraction, the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center across the river welcomes visitors more enthusiastically than ever. The Rehabilitation Center was set up to help orphaned orangutans that had been displaced because of land clearing or rescued from captivity, and teaching them the necessary skills to be able to survive in the wild. Visitors have an opportunity to view the apes twice daily when they come swinging through the trees to collect the bananas and milk left on feeding platforms in the forest, providing visitors with one of the more memorable experiences in Indonesia. Jungle trekking and tubing down the river are other popular activities.

Bukittinggi
City/Region: Sumatra
Meaning 'high place', Bukittinggi is situated on a hill and set among majestic mountains, green plantations and rice terraces. One of the friendliest and most easy-going towns in Sumatra, it is home to the Minangkabau people and the area is seeped in the Minang culture, which is Muslim and strongly matrilineal. It is the commercial, educational and administrative center of the highlands. One of the features of the town is the characteristic architecture - wooden houses with curved roofs soaring to a point representative of buffalo horns and decorated with beautiful wooden carvings. The Jam Gadang (Great Clock) is a Maningkabau-style clock tower and the town's landmark, overlooking the bustling market place that is crammed with fruit, vegetables and clothing stalls, and rickety horsecarts whose drivers insist on squeezing them through the colorful chaos.

Gili Islands
City/Region: Lombok

Situated a few miles off the north west coast of Lombok, the three Gili Islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air - were discovered by backpackers in the 80s and until recently remained a haven for budget travelers in search of paradise. The islands are surrounded by glorious soft sandy beaches, colorful coral reefs and crystal clear turquoise waters, ideal for diving. There are almost no roads or motor vehicles but small ferries transport guests between islands, none more than twenty minutes apart. Most of the accommodation is on Gili Trawangan, generally small bamboo bungalows a few meters from the beach - like Thailand's islands twenty years ago. Mainstream tourism is beginning to establish itself here and a few exclusive hotels have opened up, most recently on the smallest, least developed island, Gili Meno.

Climate of Indonesia:

It’s never hot in Indonesia! The Indonesia climate resembles the locals who are calm and predictable. The climate in Indonesia too is very much constant with least amount of changes. The only variation in the Indonesian climate is not in the temperature or air pressure, but the rainfall. Around 81% of Indonesia’s area is covered by the warm waters from the rainfall in the land. The rainfall ensures that the land temperature of Indonesia remains stable. The archipelago of Indonesia is split by Equator thus ensuring a tropical climate all through the year. The coastal plains in the country averages an annual temperature of 28 °C while the inland and the mountain base records an average of 26 °C whereas the annual average temperature on the higher mountains is 23 °C.

The ‘land of Komodo dragon’ usually experiences a relative humidity of 70 to 90% with moderate and mostly predictable winds. The monsoon winds in Indonesia mostly blow from the south and the east in the months of June to September bringing down torrential rainfall. The monsoon changes direction during the months of December to March when it blows from the northwest direction. The land has little threat from Typhoons and huge storms. Rather the mariners face a threat from the swift currents in the channels, such as the Lombok and Sape straits.

The variations in climate in Indonesia generally come from the rainfall and the monsoons. In other words monsoon brings in the different seasons in Indonesia. There is a spell of dry season between the months of June to September which is caused generally by the Australian continental air masses. The northern and the western part of Indonesia experiences the maximum precipitation because of the north- and westward-moving monsoon clouds which are moving into these areas and are heavy with moisture. They usually lose some amount of moisture as they reach the other parts of the country.