Indonesia - overview
Stretching over 3000 miles, Indonesia comprises
six main islands, plus 30 smaller archipelagos
which house most of the population, and contain
more than 300 largely extinct volcanoes due
to their geographical location on a volcanic
belt. The fourth most populous country in
the world, Indonesia comprises more than
13,000 islands in total. Two thirds of Indonesia
consists of forests, woodland and mangrove
swamp and the islands support a wide variety
of flora and fauna. The landscape of the
composite parts of Indonesia varies from
island to island, from spectacular high mountain
ranges and plateaux to coastal lowlands,
from rainforests to pristine beaches.
The nation's capital, Jakarta is the main
gateway to Indonesia. It is a contrast of
modern western architecture and traditional
Indonesian culture. Its rapid growth into
a metropolitan city reflects the economic,
political, social and industrial development
of the nation. Sumatra has a wealth of natural
resources and wildlife, massive rivers and
some interesting architecture. Sumatra is
the second largest island in Indonesia and
is largely covered in rain forests and swamplands.
Way Kambas National Park is a haven for wild
elephants, and gives visitors the chance
to see these animals up close.
Bali is relatively small, it is densely populated
and culturally and economically one of the
most important islands of Indonesia. The
Balinese people have a unique ritualistic
culture, and the island's scenic beauty,
has made Bali one of the great tourist attractions
of East Asia. Legian and Kuta beaches are
the most commercialised and crowded part
of Bali. Nusa Dua is known as a more luxurious
area in Bali and Ulawatu, the ancient Hindu
cliff temple, is not far from here. |
