Everything you need to know about Indonesia: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Indonesia: World's Most Populous Muslim Country and Biggest Archipelago
Sophisticated kingdoms ruled Indonesia before the Dutch colonized it in the early 17th century and ruled over it for two centuries. Later on the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945, when it won its freedom. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago and home to the world's largest Muslim population. In 1965 long-term leader General Suharto came to power and imposed authoritarian rule in the country. And also permitted technocrats to run the economy. Involvement of Army in executing government policies and programs have given birth to large-scale corruption in Indonesia. This mass corruption and citizen harassment by Armed forces ousted General Suharto from power in 1998. In the post Suharto era Indonesia brought major changes in its constitution and in the power structure. The first direct presidential elections were held in 2004.
Indonesia Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Indonesia :
Indonesia is a Southeastern Asian country comprising of 17,508 islands and the world's largest archipelago. Indonesia shares its borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Indonesia is a part of the ?ring of fire' that has the largest number of active volcanoes in the world.
Lying along the equator Indonesia enjoys a tropical climate, with two distinct monsoonal wet and dry seasons.
Culture and Cuisine Of Indonesia:
Indonesia comprises of around 300 ethnic groups and each ethnic group has its own culture and following. The co-existence of various cultures provides diversity to Indonesian culture, which has been influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Malay, and European cultures.
Cuisine of Indonesia varies from region to region and culture to culture. The way of preparation and cooking of Indonesia foods finds it influence from Chinese, European, Middle Eastern and Indian sources. Rice is the main staple food and is served with side dishes of meat and vegetables.
Tourist Attraction of Indonesia:
The attractions of Indonesia ranges from historical to traditional and modern as well. The historical and traditional heritage of Indonesia is very rich and colourful that attracts tourists and travelers.
Borobudur Temple: This is a very ancient temple is located in the northwest part of Yogyakarta. This temple was built during the reign of the Sailendra rulers. With the help of UNESCO this temple was restored and presently is a major tourist destination.
Monkey Forest Sanctuary: This is a unique Indonesian attraction and is an enclosed area where there are many grey monkeys and also a temple that is known as the temple of dead. The mystery behind this temple attracts tourists all over.
Golden Triangle : This is major tourist attraction in Jakarta. At night the sight become all the more attractive for the artistic decoration and lighting. The combination of lights and sounds mesmerizes people.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Indonesia include:
Kuala Lumpur, May 24 (IANS) Indonesia almost scared China in their second meeting in three days but the defending champions still made the semifinals of the Sudirman Cup here.
The Hague, May 23 (IANS) Dutch football head coach Louis van Gaal has named four debutants in the squad for the friendlies in Indonesia and China in June.
Washington, May 20 (IANS) Ahead of US Secretary State John Kerry's June visit for the India-United States Strategic Dialogue, a senior American diplomat is travelling to New Delhi this week to exchange notes on the preparations.
Kuala Lumpur, May 20 (IANS) Indian shuttlers Monday lost their second and final Group A tie to Indonesia 1-4 to exit the Sudirman Cup on the second day of competitions at the Putra Stadium here
Washington, May 20 (ANI): A new study looks to the past to learn about the future of tropical climate change, and our ability to simulate it with numerical models.
Washington, May 18 (ANI): By using global positioning systems (GPS) to measure ground deformation caused by a large underwater earthquake, researchers have shown that they can provide accurate warning of the resulting tsunami in just a few minutes after the earthquake onset.
Thrissur (Kerala), May 18 (IANS) The festivities and fireworks at the Thrissur Pooram festival have stunned two US-based filmmakers who are making a movie on pyrotechnics across the globe. They have termed it as one of the most amazing display they have ever witnessed.
Washington, May 18 (ANI): A Microsoft security expert said that computer viruses are on a rise worldwide once again after years of being less popular amongst computer attackers.
Kolkata, May 17 (IANS) South Africa could account for the bulk of the coal India may need as it is not currently mulling any export taxes on the commodity.
Panaji, May 17 (IANS) When Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar travels to Israel next month, he will be hoping to persuade its tour and travel companies to add the popular beach tourism-oriented state to their itineraries.
Mumbai, May 15 (ANI-Business Wire India): LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, today announced its India member base has crossed the 20 million mark, gaining the critical mass significant enough to represent a world-class city full of professionals and students.
Jakarta, May 15 (IANS) Four workers were killed while many others were still missing after a mine tunnel of a subsidiary of US mining giant Freeport-McMoRan in Indonesia collapsed, local media said Wednesday.
Tokyo, May 14 (ANI): A growing population combined with a huge demand of water for development purposes, has put excessive stress on available water resources in India.
Tokyo, May 7 (ANI): Life is back to normal after two years of the devastating earthquake and Tsunami that hit East Japan on March 11, 2011, and this can be seen in the revival of several business enterprises.
New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Pakistan may be headed for a real crisis, with Islamists openly targeting secular forces and the Pakistan Army unwilling to combat Islamic zealots, says a strategic year book.
Moscow, May 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Ukraine has been designated the world's top violator of intellectual property rights in a new report by US Trade Representative (USTR). India and Pakistan are also in the list.
Kolkata, May 1 (IANS) Indians, Indonesians and Canadians have topped a survey conducted among tourists, based on incorporating green practices in businesses, according to a survey by an international travel site.
Kuala Lumpur, April 29 (IANS) India's S.S.P. Chowrasia believes he is getting closer to a first Asian Tour victory outside of his country after a strong showing at the Ballantine's championship in South Korea last week.
Islamabad, Apr. 29 (ANI): Majority of Pakistanis feel that Google is against Islam and Muslims, a survey has revealed.
Washington, Apr. 26 (ANI): Global attitudes regarding domestic violence have changed dramatically during the first decade of the 2000s, according to a new study.
Jakarta, April 25 (IANS) English Premier League side Liverpool is scheduled to visit Indonesia in mid July this year to play a friendly match with Indonesian national football team, Liverpool senior officials said here Thursday.
Beijing, Apr. 25 (Xinhua-ANI): ASEAN leaders Thursday reaffirmed their full support for all efforts to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the early resumption of the Six-party Talks.
Kolkata, April 25 (IANS) On the back of growing demands for coal in India, it would be the mainstay of Australian export to India in the days ahead, the Australian envoy has said.
New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap's desire to beat former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat from Indonesia once again remained unfulfilled.
New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) Athens Olympic badminton gold medallist Taufik Hidayat Wednesday justified his blunt remark that most Indians are just average international players by outlasting World No.7 Parupalli Kashyap at the Indian Open Super Series here.
Yangon, April 24 (IANS) Myanmar and Indonesia have signed four more cooperation accords following talks between Myanmar President U Thein Sein and visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Nay Pyi Taw, official media reported Wednesday.
Dubai, April 24 (IANS/WAM) Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and chairman of Microsoft Corporation, is on a visit to Dubai.
New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) World No.4 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia has withdrawn from India Open Super Series badminton men's event beginning here Tuesday and two top 20 players from the women's singles event.
New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) World No.2 Saina Nehwal says she is excited as well as nervous at the prospect of playing compatriot P.V. Sindhu in the women's singles quarterfinals at the India Open starting here Tuesday.
Jakarta, April 22 (IANS) A senior official at the Dutch football association said here Monday that the association would team up with Indonesian youth and sports ministry and Indonesian football association in developing football in the country.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 (IANS) The central government has approved the introduction of visa-on-arrival (VoA) service at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports, a minister said Sunday.
Jakarta, April 21 (IANS) Three days after a boat, carrying 44 people, capsized in an Indonesian river, at least 19 bodies have been recovered while four still missing and 21 other passengers having survived in the accident, an official said Saturday.
Extreme smelliness is the next big thing in movies. Modules containing 1,000 smells are being bolted to the backs of cinema chairs. Computerized smell-releasers recreate the aromatic pongs of whatever you see on the screen, as tiny motors shake your chair and tiny sprays spurt liquid in your face.
Jakarta, April 18 (IANS) At least one person died while 41 went missing after a boat carrying some 50 people overturned in Indonesia Wednesday. Rescuers managed to save eight people, Xinhua reported.
Jakarta, April 17 (IANS) A woman drowned and over 40 others were missing when a boat carrying 50 people capsized in the Mahakam river in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province Wednesday evening, reported Xinhua.
Hanoi, April 17 (IANS) Vietnam sent 32 karate martial artists to the Philippines for the second Southeast Asian Karatedo Championships to be held in Pampanga April 18-21.
Jaipur, April 15 (IANS) Indian authorities Monday said consultations were going on about allowing visas-on-arrival (VoAs) to citizens of around 10-16 countries, in addition to the present 11 nations.
Jakarta, April 14 (IANS) At least 44 people rescued from a Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed into sea near Indonesia's Bali island were treated for injuries, hospital officials said. All 101 people on board the plane miraculously survived the crash.
New Delhi, Apr. 12 (ANI): The Visa on Arrival (VOA) scheme of the government for foreign tourists registered a growth of 63 percent during March 2013.
New Delhi, April 11 (ANI): The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Professor P.J.Kurien, has been unanimously elected the chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) today in Bangkok.
Tokyo, April 11 (ANI): All Nippon Airways (ANA), a unit of ANA Holdings Inc. has launched a joint project with AKB48, a group of Japanese girl pop icons, to encourage young people in Asia to travel more.
Jakarta, April 11 (IANS) Indonesian badminton star Taufik Hidayat has been appointed by Changhong, one of China's leading electronics manufacturers, as its brand ambassador for the Indonesian market.
Yangon, April 10 (IANS) Myanmar's finance and revenue ministry Wednesday appointed two foreign companies as sponsorship management consultant for upcoming 27th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Myanmar later this year.
Bangalore, April 9 (IANS) The four members of the India's winning Davis Cup team were presented with a Chairos watch each by e-commerce firm QNET India.
New Delhi, Apr 9 (ANI): One of the greatest symbols of Assamese culture, the gamocha has became the part of history, when an over 1,000-metre-long silk sheet made it to the Guinness Book of Records beating the previous record held by Indonesia.
Sydney, Apr. 9 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a new 'strategic partnership' between Australia and China during her visit to Beijing.
Bangalore, April 7 (IANS) There could not have been a better parting gift than a 5-0 victory, said India team captain Shiv Prakash Misra who laid down office at the conclusion of the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group 1 relegation tennis tie against Indonesia here Sunday.
Bangalore, April 7 (IANS) Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri used their heavy artillery to complete the formalities in the reverse singles and author a 5-0 win for India against Indonesia in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group 1 relegation playoff here Sunday.
Yangon, April 7 (Xinhua-ANI): The Government of Myanmar has voiced concern over Friday's death of eight Myanmar nationals and injury of two in a violent clash in an immigration detention camp in Medan, Indonesia, official media reported Sunday.
Bangalore, April 6 (IANS) Veteran Leander Paes ha emphasissed that it was team unity as much as individual performances that helped India take an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Indonesia in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I relegation playoff here Saturday and that India had the potential to not only return to World Group but also go all the way.
Jakarta, April 6 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale rocked Indonesia Saturday, authorities said here.
Bangalore, April 5 (IANS) Expectedly, India romped to a 2-0 lead against Indonesia in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I relegation play-off after Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri won their respective singles ties in straights sets here Friday.
Jakarta, April 5 (Xinhua-ANI): Eight people were killed and 15 others injured in a violent fighting among Myanmar asylum-seekers at an immigration detention center in Medan city in north Sumatra, Indonesia early Friday morning, a local official said.
Bangalore, April 4 (IANS) Even after 23 years of Davis Cup tennis, Leander Paes feels he is still young enough to continue since the tricolour and the very thought of representing India provides him all the motivation he needs.
Bangalore, April 4 (IANS) India appeared certain to maintain their unbeaten run against Indonesia ahead of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I relegation play-off tie commencing here Friday by chalking up their sixth straight win.
Washington, April 4 (IANS) The US has highlighted the growing use of local content requirements in several countries, including India, among key barriers faced by US telecommunications service and equipment suppliers in their dealings abroad.
Bangalore, April 3 (IANS) The recent shenanigans over team selection and a player-boycott notwithstanding, the Indian team Wednesday presented itself as a unified unit all set to take on Indonesia in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group 1 play-off beginning here Friday.
Bangalore, April 3 (IANS) Though they lost their previous five ties to India, the visiting Indonesians seemed unperturbed ahead of their Asia/Oceania Davis Cup Group I play-off tie at the KSLTA courts here this weekend.
Yangon, April 3 (IANS) Myanmar and Indonesia are making efforts to promote the trade volume, which is targeted to reach up to $1 billion in 2016, official media reported Wednesday.
Bangalore, April 2 (IANS) The Indonesians are only too well aware that they are the underdogs against India in this weekend's Asia-Oceania Group 1 Davis Cup play-off tie at the KSLTA courts, but the visiting team's non-playing captain Hendri Susilo Pramono warned that the pressure of playing a relegation match cannot be discounted.
Sydney, April 2 (IANS) Indian shuttlers Ajay Jayaram, R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and Anand Pawar Tuesday made their way through to the second round of the men's singles at the Australian Open Grand Prix Gold being held here at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Men's singles World No.1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and India's own women's World No.2 Saina Nehwal will return to action at the Siri Fort Indoor Complex for the India Open Super Series April 23-28.
Jakarta, April 2 (IANS) India and Indonesia have agreed to enhance collaboration in horticulture, natural resources management, agricultural engineering, crop science and food processing at a meeting held here.
Bangalore, April 1 (IANS) The refurbished KSLTA courts here received the thumbs up from Somdev Devvarman who will be leading Indian challenge against Indonesia in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup tie here this weekend.
Bangalore, March 31 (IANS) Shiv Prakash Misra, in the eye of the storm not too long ago when India's top guns demanded his ouster as the non-playing captain, appeared confident that he would go out on a winning note when India take on Indonesia in the Asia-Oceania Group Davis Cup tie at the KSLTA stadium here on April 5-7.
Jakarta, March 29 (IANS) Shireenjit Kaur is Miss India Indonesia. She will now represent Indonesia in the Miss India Worldwide contest to be held in Malaysia April 27.
Bangalore, March 28 (IANS) The sale of tickets for the Asia Oceania Group I Davis Cup tie between India and Indonesia, scheduled to be held at the KSLTA Stadium here April 5-7, will commence at the venue from Friday.
Hanoi, March 27 (IANS) The Vietnam women's national football team retained its 30th position in the latest FIFA rankings for the first quarter of the year.
Bangalore, March 26 (IANS) The National Tennis Association of Indonesia named its squad for the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I first round play-off against India to be played at the KSLTA Stadium here April 5-7.
Durban, March 26 (IANS) As leaders from the five BRICS nations, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a host of invitees, gather here for the BRICS Summit March 26-27, Africa will be the focus at the 5th edition.
Jakarta, March 25 (IANS) India hopes the Indonesian government will undertake policy reforms that will enable Indian companies to invest in the South-East Asian nation's pharmaceutical sector.
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Can mosquitos be injected with a vaccine to prevent them from transmitting the dengue virus to humans? That's what Australian scientists are working on.
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA) is to be held April 6 in Bangalore during the Davis Cup Group I Asia/Oceania first round play-off between India and Indonesia April 5-7.
Bangalore, March 22 (IANS) In a first of its kind, the Asia Oceania Davis Cup tie between India and Indonesia will be played under lights April 5-7 at the KSLTA Tennis Stadium here.
New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) The UNHRC resolution passed Thursday in Geneva fails to seek an independent international probe into human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.
Geneva, March 21 (IANS) The UN Human Rights Council Thursday adopted a US resolution on human rights violations in Sri Lanka during the war against the Tamil Tigers. India voted in favour.
Kuala Lumpur, March 21 (IANS) The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should further boost investment to weather uncertainties of the current global economic climate, said its deputy secretary-general Lim Hong Hin Thursday.
Jakarta, March 20 (IANS) A volcano erupted in Indonesia Wednesday.
Bali, March 19 (IANS) The contribution of India's higher education system in the academic and intellectual growth of Indonesia was highlighted at the first-ever gathering of alumni of Indian universities and academicians, that included senior government officials, and prominent representatives of Balinese art and culture here.
Surabaya (Indonesia), March 15 (IANS) India would like to expand bilateral business and trade relations by investing more in Indonesia, Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh said here at a business roundtable where opportunities in various sectors like infrastructure, mining, energy, oil and gas, and food processing were discussed.
Bangkok, March 14 (IANS) The Indian archery team collected a haul of eight medals, including two gold, two Silver and four bronze, in the first Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship here Thursday.
Subic Bay (Philippines), March 14 (IANS) Youth World Championships silver medallist Narender Berwal (+91kg) and bronze medal winner in 2012 Lalitha Prasad (49kg) continued their winning streak at the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championship here Thursday as they marched into the semifinals.
Nagpur, Mar 13 (ANI): Forest officials have arrested six persons for selling tiger and leopard skins worth Rs.80 lakhs.
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) The Indian men's compound team comprising Sandeep Kumar, Abhishek Verma, Jignas Chittibomma clinched the gold medal in the Asian Archery Grand Prix in Bangkok Tuesday.
Birmingham, March 11 (IANS) Before the All England Open, if Liu Xiaolong and Qiu Zihan walked in a street few would recognise them.
Ankara, March 10 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Warships from 13 countries have completed an anti-piracy and counter-terror naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.
Beijing, March 9 (IANS) China will be more actively involved in international affairs and play its due role to make the international system more just and equitable, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Saturday.
Jakarta, March 8 (IANS) A special 'Visit India' package has been devised for Indonesian tourists who want to stop over and visit shrines and monuments on their back from Haj, according to Indian ambassador Gurjit Singh.
Saina Nehwal defeated Indonesia's Belaetrix Manuputi by 21-16, 21-11 in All England Open Badminton Championships at The National Indoor Arena, Birmingham on Thursday.
New Delhi, Mar. 8 (ANI): In the first gender benchmarking study of its kind, researchers have found that number of women in the science, technology and innovation fields are alarmingly low in the world's leading economies, and are actually on the decline in many, including the United States.
Moscow, March 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100) plane made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport due to an undercarriage door problem, the civil defence and emergency situations ministry said.
Birmingham, March 8 (IANS) World No.3 Saina Nehwal reached the women's singles quarterfinals of the All England Open Badminton Championships after beating Indonesia's Belaetrix Manuputi in straight games here at The National Indoor Arena Thursday.
Birmingham, March 7 (IANS) Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu went down in the second round of women's singles to German fourth seed Juliane Schenk here at the All England Open Badminton Championships Thursday.
Los Angeles, March 7 (IANS) Singer Lady Gaga is reportedly being sued for cancelling her Indonesia tour last year by the organisers.
London, March 7 (ANI): Two University of Cambridge scientists believe the world's tiniest monkey could unravel the mysterious origins of Homo floresiensis, the "hobbit" human relative.
Sydney, Mar 1 (IANS) Two new shark species discovered in Australia will help scientists script a better understanding of the species.
London, Mar 1 (ANI): The New York-based Human Rights Watch has urged the Indonesian government to make efforts to protect religious minorities from growing intolerance and violence in the country.
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 28 (IANS) Former Churchill Brothers striker Akram Moghrani is among the 24 Lebanese players who have been suspended by the Lebanese Football Association (LFA) in a match-fixing case.
Washington, Feb 27 (ANI): Seven of India's restaurants have been included in the top 50 best restaurants list from Asia for the year 2013.
Washington, Feb 27 (ANI): Seven of India's restaurants have been included in the top 50 best restaurants list from Asia for the year 2013.