Symbolism
Views of Indonesia
INDONESIA, Republic of Indonesia (Republik Indonesia), a state in Southeast Asia, on the islands of the Malay Archipelago (Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Islands) and the western part of the island of New Guinea (Irian Jaya). It borders Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. Area 1904.5 thousand km2. Population 234.89 million people (2003, 4th place in the world). Capital Jakarta. Largest cities: Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung.
Indonesian government
Unitary republic of presidential type. The head of state and government is the president. The highest body of state power is the People's Consultative Congress. It meets in session at least once every five years. Half of the deputies are appointed by the president. The other half are deputies of the unicameral Council of People's Representatives (parliament). 400 of them are elected by popular vote and 100 are appointed by the president. These are the military (the army does not participate in voting).
Administrative divisions of Indonesia
24 provinces and special administrative units equivalent to provinces - Greater Jakarta (metropolitan area), Yogyakarta, Aceh (2 special units).
Population of Indonesia
97% of Indonesians are made up of more than 150 related peoples who speak more than 1000 different languages and dialects (Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, Batak, Malay, Balinese, etc.). Many tribes still do not know agriculture and live mainly by hunting (for example, the Papuans of New Guinea). There are also Chinese, Arabs, and people from South Asia. The official language is Indonesian.
Indonesia is the world's largest Islamic state. The majority of believers are Muslims, ch. arr. Sunni (87.2%), there are Christians (9.6%), Hindus (mainly on the island of Bali), Buddhists, Confucians; Traditional local beliefs have been preserved.
2/3 of the population lives on the islands of Java and Madura. In some areas of the island of Java, the rural population density reaches 2,500 people per 1 km2 (the highest value in the world for rural areas). 78% of the population lives in rural areas.
Nature of Indonesia. Geographical location of Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's largest island state, ranking 6th in area among the largest countries in Asia. In total, Indonesia includes 13,667 islands, of which just under 1,000 are inhabited (the largest are Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, New Guinea). Most of the other islands are isolated rocks or small atolls. More than half the area of the islands is occupied by mountains (height up to 5029 m, Jaya on the island of New Guinea). The islands contain approx. 400 volcanoes, including St. 100 active. The highest of them is Kerinci (3800 m) in Sumatra. There are especially many volcanoes on the island of Java. In 1883, as a result of the eruption of the Krakatoa volcano, located on a small island between Java and Sumatra, a 20-meter sea wave arose, and volcanic ash covered almost a third of the territory of Indonesia.
Indonesia is located in equatorial latitudes: most of it is in the Southern Hemisphere, and the northern part of the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands is in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate is equatorial and subequatorial, with abundant precipitation, falling in the form of powerful downpours, often accompanied by thunderstorms. In most parts of the country, precipitation falls evenly (up to 4000 mm per year), in the south there is a short dry season. Rivers almost everywhere form a very dense network. The largest of them are: Kapuas and Barito in Kalimantan; Hari, Kampar and Musi in Sumatra; Mamberamo and Digul in New Guinea. Due to the abundant deposition of river sediments in the lower reaches, lowland rivers constantly change channels,
More than 1/2 of the territory is covered with moist evergreen tropical forests with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Along the coasts there are mangroves. In the south there are areas of savannas, in the mountains there are high-altitude zones. Numerous reserves and national parks (Gunung Leser, Komodo Padar Rinko, Ujung Kulon, etc.) protect the Sumatran rhinoceros, elephants, Malayan bear, tapir, crocodiles, giant monitor lizards, and orangutans. A significant part of virgin forests has been cleared for agriculture. land (especially on the island of Java). In western Java, in the city of Bogor, there is a world-famous botanical garden, which displays a wide variety of forms of equatorial flora.
Indonesia is rich in mineral resources. There are large deposits of oil and gas, brown and hard coal, iron ores, copper, nickel, and tin; bauxite, sulfur; medium and small - ores of manganese, chromium, lead, zinc, gold, silver, molybdenum; diamonds, phosphorites, pumice, asbestos, etc.
Economy of Indonesia
Indonesia is an industrial-agrarian country, with the largest plantation economy in Asia and a developed mining industry. GNP per capita fell from $980 in 1995 to $580 in 1999. The fall of the rupee in late 1997 and early 1998 led to a contraction of GDP by 13.7% in 1998. The IMF offered assistance to the country in the amount of $42 billion. in exchange for fulfilling a number of demands. The government initially refused to comply with the IMF's demands, but fearing further capital outflow from the country, it agreed to conclude an agreement. The petrochemical industry is controlled by the state-owned Pertamina. The basis of the economy is the extraction and processing of oil and gas (mainly for export) in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and the western part of Irian Jaya. Main industrial centers: Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Palembang (oil and gas refining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical industry, etc.). 2/3 of the employed are in the food and beverage and textile industries.
Almost 1/3 of cultivated land is irrigated. Main export crops: rubber (one of the leading places in the world), coconut and oil palms, tea, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, pepper, ceiba (kapok), agave (sisal); spices - nutmeg, cloves, etc.; cinchona bark (Indonesia is the main supplier in the world). Main food crops: rice (the main food product of the population), corn, cassava, sweet potato, peanuts, soybeans. Livestock farming is poorly developed. Fishing, lobster, shrimp, and sea cucumber fishing is important. Valuable wood is harvested.
Traditional crafts are preserved: the production of batik (both industrial and handicraft), chased silverware, ceramic vessels, artistic bone carving, weaving mats, hats, etc.). Foreign tourism, which is threatened by terrorist attacks, is of great importance.
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah.
History of Indonesia
The historical core of Indonesia is the islands of Java and Sumatra, on which since the 7th century. Vast rival empires arose. Active trade with the Arabs, for whom Indonesia was an important intermediary on the way to the Far East, became an important impetus for the adoption of Islam. In the 16th century The Portuguese appeared, then the Dutch. In the 17th century The Indonesian islands were colonized by the Portuguese and the Dutch. Europeans gave them the name Spice Islands. K ser. 18th century The Dutch captured almost all of Java, in the 19th century. 20th centuries completed the conquest of Indonesia. To the beginning 20th century Almost the entire territory of modern Indonesia became a zone of Dutch colonies called the Netherlands (Dutch) East Indies. In 1942, Indonesia was captured by Japan. On the eve of its collapse, the founder of the National Party, Sukarno, who collaborated with the Japanese, proclaimed the independence of Indonesia on August 17, 1945, and himself as its president. In September 1945, British troops landed in Indonesia, followed by Dutch troops, but they were defeated in the fight against Sukarno's army. In 1949, the UN recognized the independence of Indonesia. In August 1950, Indonesia was declared a unitary republic. Many foreign enterprises, plantations and banks were nationalized. Sukarno was guided first by the USA, then by the USSR, and was the main initiator of the Bandung Conference, from which the movement of the “third world” countries began. In 1965, a group of army officers attempted to organize a military coup, possibly with the knowledge of Sukarno, who wanted to deal with the top military leadership. General Suharto suppressed the plot, put Sukarno under arrest and became president in 1968. The Indonesian Communist Party was defeated, hundreds of thousands of its supporters (or those declared as such) were executed and arrested. Suharto set a course for industrialization and accelerated development, but the “Indonesian miracle” was carried out largely on unsecured loans given under the guarantee of an anti-communist course. An economic collapse followed in 1998, aggravated by the extremely uneven distribution of income between different segments of the population and nations (2% of the Chinese owned 75% of the national wealth).
As a result of mass popular uprisings, President Suharto resigned on May 20, 1998 and was replaced by B. Yu. Habibie. Under the influence of the ongoing struggle for the independence of East Timor and under the pressure of world public opinion, a referendum was held on August 30, 1999, in which 78.5% of the population of the territory spoke in favor of the independence of East Timor, which was the impetus for a new outbreak of violence. On September 12, 1999, international UN forces were brought into the former province, and Indonesian troops left the territory. On October 20, 1999, the leader of the Islamic National Awakening Party A. Wahid became the new president of the country, and Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of the country’s first president and leader of the Indonesian Democratic Struggle Party, became the vice president. Since 2001, as a result of the impeachment of Wahid, Sukarnoputri became president.
National holiday - August 17 (Independence Day).
Indonesia is a country located on many tropical islands. Each Indonesian island has its own unique culture, architecture, people and traditions. Indonesia has it all - jungles, tropical forests, lakes, active volcanoes and, of course, heavenly beaches. In Indonesia you will meet friendly people, and you will also be able to see the sunrise over the most beautiful Buddhist temples.
Geography of Indonesia
Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of more than 17.5 thousand islands of the Indian and Pacific oceans, including Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, and New Guinea (only 6 thousand of them are inhabited). Indonesia borders Malaysia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Other nearby countries are Singapore, Philippines, Palau and Australia. The total area of this country is 1,919,440 square meters. km.
A significant part of the territory of the islands that make up Indonesia is occupied by mountains. The largest local peak is Mount Puncak Jaya on the island of New Guinea, whose height reaches 4,884 meters.
The geographical location of Indonesia means that this country has very strong seismic and volcanic activity. those. Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. However, special services can already predict all these disasters. In general, there are now about 150 active volcanoes in Indonesia, including the “famous” Krakatoa and Tambora.
The island of Kalimantan has the three largest rivers in Indonesia - Mahakam, Barito and Kapuas.
Capital
The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, which is now home to more than 9.7 million people. Archaeologists claim that human settlement on the site of modern Jakarta already existed in the 1st century AD. However, the city itself was officially founded in 1527.
Official language
The official language in Indonesia is Indonesian, which belongs to the Austronesian language family.
Religion
More than 88% of Indonesia's population is Muslim (mostly Sunni Muslim). About 8% of the population of this country consider themselves Christians.
Indonesian government
According to the current Constitution of 1945, Indonesia is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected for 5 years.
The parliament in Indonesia is bicameral - the People's Consultative Congress, consisting of the Council of People's Representatives (560 deputies) and the Council of Regional Representatives (132 deputies). The country's parliament has the right to impeach the president.
The main political parties in Indonesia are the Democratic Party, the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Struggle Party, the Justice and Welfare Party, and the National Mandate Party.
Climate and weather in Indonesia
The climate in Indonesia is equatorial with subequatorial elements. In general, Indonesia is very hot and humid. The average annual air temperature is +27.7C. The average annual precipitation is 1,755 mm. The rainy season in this country is from October to April. However, it also rains in the so-called. "dry season".
Some travelers like to vacation in Indonesia during the rainy season (October-April). At this time, it usually rains in Indonesia in the evening for no more than 2 hours. The rest of the time, Indonesia is very hospitable. During this season, as a rule, hotel prices in Indonesia are much lower than during the dry season.
In Sumatra and Java, the rainy season lasts from November to March (rains fall in the afternoon). The best time to travel to Java or Sumatra is May-September.
On the island of Bali, the rainy season is from October to March. However, in Bali, between the rain showers there is a lot of sun and bright blue skies. Therefore, you can relax in Bali even during the rainy season. The best months to travel to Bali are from May to August.
The island of Sulawesi, an amazing destination for a beach holiday, has two opposing climate zones. In the southwest of this island, the monsoon period lasts from October to March, and in the north - from June to July. On the coast of Sulawesi the air temperature can reach +34C, and in the middle of the island, at higher elevations - +24C.
Average air temperature on Bali:
January - +26C
- February - +26C
- March - +27С
- April - +27С
- May - +28C
- June - +27C
- July - +27С
- August - +27C
- September - +27С
- October - +27C
- November - +27C
- December - +27C
Ocean in Indonesia
The shores of the Indonesian islands are washed by the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Average sea temperature near Bali:
January - +29C
- February - +29C
- March - +29C
- April - +28C
- May - +28C
- June - +28C
- July - +27С
- August - +27C
- September - +27С
- October - +27C
- November - +27C
- December - +27C
Rivers and lakes
Some Indonesian islands have many rivers. The largest rivers flow through the island of Kalimantan (these are the Mahakam, Barito and Kapuas rivers). The largest volcanic lake on Earth is located on the island of Sumatra - Lake Toba.
History of Indonesia
On the territory of Indonesia, the ancestors of modern people lived already during the Lower Paleolithic (Javanese ape man and Flores man). About 45 thousand years ago, Homo sapiens appeared on the territory of modern Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia was inhabited by representatives of the Negroid and Mongoloid races.
The first states in Indonesia existed already in the 4th century AD. - Kutai and Taruma, and later – Srivijaya. All these states were greatly influenced by India and Buddhism.
In the 13th century, the Majapahit Empire reached its peak. At the same time, Islam began to spread in Indonesia.
Europeans arrived in Indonesia at the beginning of the 16th century. These were Portuguese sailors. Then the Dutch began to lay claim to Indonesia, forming the Netherlands East India Company in 1602. At this time, there were several states on the territory of modern Indonesia, among which the Sultanate of Mataram should be highlighted. Gradually these states became a colony of the Netherlands.
In 1811, Indonesia became a British colony. However, after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Great Britain returned Indonesia to the Netherlands.
In the first half of the 20th century, Indonesians formed several political parties (for example, the Indonesian Communist Party and the National Party).
In the spring of 1942, Indonesia (Netherlands East Indies) was captured by Japanese troops. The Japanese occupation of Indonesia continued until August 1945. It was in August 1945 that the independence of Indonesia was declared. However, the Netherlands did not want to part with their colony and launched hostilities. The fighting ended only in 1950. Sukarno was elected president of the country.
In March 1968, the People's Consultative Congress elected Sukarto, who had previously commanded the ground forces, as President of Indonesia.
Since 2004, the President of Indonesia has been elected by direct universal suffrage.
Culture
Modern Indonesian culture is the result of the interaction of traditions of different peoples who live in this country. In addition, Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists had a significant influence on Indonesian culture.
In everyday life, Indonesians are guided by the principles of mutual assistance (“gotong royong”) and exchange of opinions (“musyawarah”), which helps to reach agreement (“mufakat”).
Indonesian art is under very strong religious influence. The traditions of the famous dance dramas of Java and Bali go back to Hindu mythology (influences of the Hindu epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” can be seen in them).
In Indonesia, we recommend that tourists definitely see local festivals, which are held everywhere and almost every month. The largest of them are the Galungan festival in Bali, performances of the Ramayana ballet in Java, the Festival of Silence in Bali, the Vesak Buddhist festival in Borobudur, and the Easter parade on the island of Larantuka.
Kitchen
The staple food in Indonesia is rice, but potatoes, corn, sago and cassava are common in the eastern part of the country. Naturally, a very large part of Indonesian cuisine is occupied by fish and various seafood (oysters, shrimp, lobsters, crabs, squid). In addition, it is impossible to imagine Indonesian cuisine without coconut (oil is made from it, and the pulp is added to many dishes).
As for meat, beef and poultry are popular in Indonesia. Pork can only be found in Chinese restaurants or in areas where few Muslims live.
Traditional Indonesian dishes include nasi goring (fried rice), mie goring (fried noodles), and gado-gado (vegetables with eggs in peanut sauce).
Indonesia has a wide variety of exotic fruits (jackfruit, durian, papaya, pineapple and mango).
A traditional alcoholic drink in Indonesia is tuak wine, which is made from red palm sugar. However, most Indonesians drink black tea because... Islam prohibits alcohol.
Sights of Indonesia
Rest assured that travelers will not get bored in Indonesia. Of course, relaxing on the beaches under the Indonesian sky is a great pleasure. But sometimes you want to visit interesting places. There are a lot of such interesting sights in Indonesia. In our opinion, the top ten best Indonesian attractions may include the following:
- Jing Yuan Temple in Jakarta
- Wayang Dolls and Ritual Objects Museum in Jakarta
- Kebun Raya Botanical Garden in Bogor
- Palace complex Sultan Kraton in Yogyakarta
- Temple complex Pura Besakih on the island of Bali
- Royal Tombs and Palace of Samosir Island
- Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta
- Orchid garden in Melak village on Kalimantan island
- Royal Tomb of Gunung Kawi on Bali
- Temple of a Thousand Buddhas in Yogyakarta
Cities and resorts
The largest Indonesian cities are Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Tangerang, Bekasi, Depok, Palembang, Semarang, Makassar, and, of course, Jakarta.
Due to its geographical location, Indonesia offers excellent holiday conditions. Tourists have long appreciated islands in Indonesia such as Bali and Lombok. However, some other Indonesian islands offer just as great holiday opportunities. We advise you to pay attention to the islands of Papua, Lembongan, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java.
Almost every hotel in Indonesia offers spa services. In general, many argue that the best spa treatments are done in Indonesia. Spa programs on the island of Bali are especially varied.
Traditional Indonesian spa services include milk bath ("Mandi susu"), which is considered the beauty bath of the princesses of Java, "Mandi luhur", "flower baths" (jasmine, gardenia, hibiscus, magnolia petals are added to warm water), which, As a rule, they are the final stage of a spa session.
In addition, Indonesian spas use herbal wraps (used to remove impurities from the body and treat skin blemishes) as well as traditional massage.
Souvenirs/shopping
Products made from bamboo and coconut (for example, baskets, rugs), wooden spoons, bowls, figurines, painted ceremonial masks, batik and ikat fabrics (as well as, for example, tablecloths made from these fabrics) are usually brought as souvenirs from Indonesia. , Wayang dolls, traditional Indonesian musical instruments (gamelan, drums, bamboo flutes), tea.
Office hours
Government agencies:
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00
Geographical position
Indonesian territory is 1,919,440 km² (14th largest in area among the countries of the world and first among the countries of Southeast Asia). Situated on both sides of the equator on the islands of the Malay Archipelago and the western part of the island of New Guinea and washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, it is the largest island nation in the world. The country includes at least 17,508 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited; the area of controlled marine waters (inland sea, territorial and archipelagic waters, exclusive economic zone) is 7.9 million km². A significant part of the islands belongs to the Sunda Islands, which in turn are divided into the Greater Sunda and Lesser Sunda Islands. The Greater Sunda Islands include the largest islands of Indonesia - Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan - on the latter, in addition to Indonesian territory, there is part of the territory of Malaysia and the entire territory of the state of Brunei Darussalam.
Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia (on the island of Kalimantan), Papua New Guinea (on the island of New Guinea) and East Timor (on the island of Timor). Moreover, the border with East Timor exists in two different sections: with the main territory of this country in the central part of the island of Timor and with the East Timorese exclave of Oecussi-Ambeno, surrounded by the territory of the Indonesian province of the Eastern Lesser Sunda Islands. There are maritime borders with the countries mentioned, as well as with Singapore, the Philippines and Australia.
How to get there
Buy direct air tickets to Indonesia from Russia and CIS countries, at the moment, is impossible. Most European and Asian airlines offer flights with connections in various countries. The most optimal flights in terms of price and quality are considered to be flights of the Middle Eastern airlines Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines. Travel time is about fifteen hours. In addition, when purchasing tours to Indonesia, you can enter the country from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It is from here that many budget airlines offer flights directly to Indonesia. Many charter flights operate from Russia to the Indonesian resort island of Bali; once you get there, you can easily travel to any corner of the country using ground transport.
Also, ferries depart daily from Singapore and Malaysia to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Visa
A visa is required for Russians to visit Indonesia.
To receive it you must provide the following documents:
1. Original passport, the validity of which expires no less than six months before the date of entry into the country;
2. Completed and signed application form;
3. Original and copy of the air ticket;
4. 1 photo.
It is now possible to obtain a tourist visa directly from Jakarta Airport.
For children, Those with their own passport must provide the same documents as for an adult. For children under 9 years old, if the child is included in the parents’ passport, a visa is issued free of charge.
Children over 9 years old, pay the full cost of the visa (regardless of whether you have a passport).
Upon arrival in Indonesia, an immigration card is filled out, which must be kept until the end of the trip. Upon arrival, an airport tax of approximately 10 US dollars is charged. The fee is charged in Indonesian Rupiah. An airport tax is also charged when departing the country.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
It is allowed to import into the country 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, as well as a reasonable amount of perfume.
The import of weapons, electronics, drugs, explosives, pornography, printed publications in Chinese, and Chinese medicines is prohibited.
The export of rare animals and birds is prohibited. It is strictly forbidden to export turtle shells (the penalty for attempting to do so will be a large fine).
The export of wood carvings and antiques is prohibited from the island of Bali. To obtain an export permit, you must contact the relevant Export Office.
This does not apply to souvenir products.
Climate
Indonesia has equatorial and subequatorial maritime climates. In the southern and eastern regions of the year, in a subequatorial climate, there are two seasons: rainy (from November to February) and dry (from March to October). However, in many places it is difficult to distinguish seasons; dry and wet weather alternate spontaneously . In general, for most of the country, the wet season lasts from November-December to March-April (the monsoon blows from the northwest), from May-June to September-October the dry season lasts (the monsoon blows from the south and east, i.e. side of Australia). However, for North Sumatra and for the northern and central parts of the Moluccas Islands (Seram, Ambon, Buru) the picture is exactly the opposite. The picture becomes even more complex when one considers the variety of local microclimates that characterize different areas of Indonesia.
It is worth noting that Indonesia is quite humid: during the rainy season the relative humidity reaches 90%, and during the rest of the year it reaches 80%. In general, about 3000 mm of precipitation falls here annually, and most of all in the foothills. In the south of the island of Sulawesi, more than 700 mm of precipitation is recorded in January, but in August - only 15 mm. On the more northern islands, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with about 200-300 mm falling monthly. On the flat areas of these islands all year round during the daytime the air warms up to +28..+30 degrees, in the mountains it is a little cooler - about +20 degrees, and at night there are sometimes frosts here. Coastal waters in all areas have a temperature of at least +26 degrees. The least amount of precipitation falls on the islands of the Nusa Tenggara group, located between Australia and Java. The air in Indonesia is humid, with relative humidity ranging between 70 and 90%. Typhoons and strong storms are not typical for the Indonesian seas.
Altitude above sea level has a great influence on temperature distribution. In general, the temperature drops by about 1 degree. for every 100 m of ascent. Indonesia's highest peaks are subject to night frosts, and some of the Irian Jaya mountains are constantly covered in snow.
The length of daylight in Indonesia is almost the same throughout the year. The difference between the shortest and longest day is 48 minutes.
Climate of Bali Climate of Bali is equatorial-monsoon, instead of the usual division into 4 seasons, only two are distinguished here: dry (June-October) and wet (November-March), the greatest amount of precipitation falls in January-February. In some areas of Bali the difference between the two is almost imperceptible. During the wet season, precipitation falls locally, usually at night in the form of short-term (1-2 hours) thunderstorms.
Average annual temperatures fluctuate slightly around 26°. In the lowlands and resort areas it is warm both day and night; The nights in the mountains are quite cool, and generally fresher than in the rest of the area. The water temperature in the ocean is 26-28°.
Best time to visit:
The best time to holiday in Bali is May, June, July, August. These months have the least rainfall, fewest rainy days and are not very hot. Twice a year Bali experiences an influx of tourists. In December - January, Australians come to Bali on vacation. And the Indonesians themselves prefer this time of year. July and August are the traditional holiday season for Europeans in Bali. Prices are skyrocketing. On the other hand, July and August are the time of entertainment, holidays and lack of rain. The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, which starts in May and lasts until October. Those who prefer to take a vacation in July-August will experience dry and “cool” weather. There are also disadvantages - hotels are filled to capacity and their prices rise sharply. In our opinion, the best time to holiday in Bali is May and June. And there are at least two reasons for this. Firstly, with some luck there is a complete absence of rain, and secondly, prices are quite reasonable.
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Population
Population of Indonesia: 97% of Indonesians are made up of more than 150 related nations who speak more than 1,000 different languages and dialects (Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, Batak, Malay, Balinese, etc.). Many tribes still do not know agriculture and live mainly by hunting (for example, the Papuans of New Guinea). There are also Chinese, Arabs, and people from South Asia. The official language is Indonesian.
Indonesia is the world's largest Islamic state. The majority of believers are Muslims, ch. arr. Sunni (87.2%), there are Christians (9.6%), Hindus (mainly on the island of Bali), Buddhists, Confucians; Traditional local beliefs have been preserved.
2/3 of the population lives on the islands of Java and Madura. In some areas of the island of Java, the rural population density reaches 2,500 people per 1 km2 (the highest value in the world for rural areas). 78% of the population lives in rural areas.
Nature
The richest nature of Indonesia includes about 35,000 species. Forests, covering almost 53% of the country's territory, are unevenly distributed. If in Kalimantan and West Irian they occupy about 80% of the area, then in Java they occupy only 10%. The original plant formation of the largest islands of Indonesia is evergreen tropical forests. In places with a drier climate (in Java, Celebes (Sulawesi) and Sumba Island), monsoon forests have formed where teak wood grows. The coastal strip is characterized by mangroves and swamps. In the mountains, the altitudinal layering of the vegetation cover is clearly expressed, and in the elevated areas plants of the temperate zone predominate. The main threat to the nature of Indonesia is poaching and the capture of rare animals for sale, as well as predatory deforestation and overexploitation of the wealth of coral reefs.
Rivers of Indonesia
Quite short rivers in Indonesia originate in the mountains and carry their waters to the coast. The longest of them flow in Kalimantan - Kapuas (1040 km), Barito (880 km), Mahakam (740 km).
Volcano Krakatoa
Krakatoa is not only a volcanic islet in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, but also the most famous Indonesian volcano, or rather the ruins remaining from its gigantic predecessor. The old volcano Krakatoa collapsed on August 27, 1883 in one of the most powerful eruptions in human history. The tsunami wave caused by the explosion killed 36 thousand lives, and new islands rose from the ocean.
Hotels, hotels, prices
Ahimsa Beach Jimbaran 5*
The 5* Ahimsa Beach Jimbaran hotel is located on the Jimbaran coast, a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai Airport. In this small hotel you will find an elegant atmosphere, tranquility and the splendor of nature - everything you need for a measured, respectable holiday. The hotel consists of villas only. Opened in 2006.
Alila Ubud (ex. The Chedi) 5*
The 5* hotel is located in the Ubud area, 1.5 hours drive from the airport. A great place to restore harmony and mental strength. An exquisite hotel in the heart of mystical Bali. You are guaranteed complete relaxation - there are no TVs in the rooms! The hotel opened in 2002.
Amanwana 4*
Location:
On the west coast of Moyo Island, surrounded by serene turquoise waters and white beaches, 15 km from Sumbawa and an hour's flight from Bali, stands the secluded luxury Amanwana Hotel.
Adhi Jaya Hotel 3*
The Adhi Jaya Hotel, category 3*, is located in the center of Kuta, just a 5-minute walk from the beach and the central shopping district. Facilities include: garden, safe, luggage storage, air conditioning, conference room/banquet room, laundry, car rental, parking, wireless Internet, restaurant, bar, conference room, outdoor swimming pool, tour desk.
Abian Boga Guesthouse and Restaurant 2*
Situated in the center of Sanur, just a short walk from the white sandy Semawang Beach, Abian Boga Guesthouse & Restaurant offers modern rooms decorated in Balinese style.
The third largest island in the world, divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The equator line runs through the city of Pontianak, dividing the island in half. Guests can take a souvenir photo at the Equator sign. In addition, in Pontianak there is the Abdurrahman Mosque of the 18th century, the Sultan's Qadriah Palace, and the City Museum with collections of ceramics and Chinese porcelain.
In the west of the island live the primitive Dayak tribes, who reject civilization and preserve the way of the Stone Age. Tourists have the opportunity to take part in an excursion to a Dayak settlement, spend the night in a traditional hut and admire the original dances of the aborigines.
A rehabilitation center for orangutans has been created. The island is home to the touching tarsier - the world's smallest monkey with large round eyes.
In the town of Banjarmasin, the floating markets and the Sabilal-Mukhtadin Mosque are worth visiting. Kinabalu National Park is famous for its hot springs, the magnificent Kipungit and Langanan waterfalls, and the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia.
Every guest of the capital of Indonesia strives to visit the Orchid Garden, famous for its collection of exotic flowers, the most beautiful and rare of which is the black orchid. The Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was built in 1945 to commemorate the country's independence from Holland. During prayer, tourists are strictly prohibited from entering the mosque. The Vihara Dharma Bhakti Buddhist temple, built in the 17th century, is dedicated to the goddess of mercy Guan Yin.
Jakarta's Sea World Aquarium, with a water volume of 500 million liters, introduces visitors to 4,000 species of fish, which can be admired while walking through an 80-meter tunnel. There are 120 volcanoes in Java, 30 of which are active.
All attractions Indonesia
Culture
The culture of a people is history embodied in stone, feelings expressed through music and dance, thoughts and images laid down on canvas and the pages of books.
The culture of Indonesia is colorful and diverse, like birds chirping in the jungle. Its “creators” are Buddhism, Hinduism, Christian trends brought from Europe, Muslim traders and preachers, as well as local beliefs and ideas about beauty.
Traditional architecture is retreating under the onslaught of glass and concrete, but the feast of its forms can still be observed today.
The wooden houses of the Batak and Minang Kabao with their high saddle-shaped roofs, decorated with buffalo horns, are puzzling. Maybe there, among the rafters and columns stretching into the sky, spirits gather?
The temple complexes erected at the dawn of the Middle Ages are amazing. Borobudur and Prambanan in Java, Besaki in Bali, Padang Lewas in Sumatra - it seems that the gods themselves erected these monuments to glorify man, decorated them with carvings and sculptures.
Colonial buildings and entire neighborhoods built by Europeans make you lose yourself in space and time. Dutch forts in Bukittinggi and Bengkulu, lush Empire-style palaces in Jakarta and Bogor, modern buildings of the Institute of Technology in Bandung and the Stavia School in Jakarta - you are in Europe, but why is it so hot and there are palm trees around?!
The strict domes of mosques and the spiers of minarets pacify and subjugate. All of them, from the oldest wooden one in De Mak to the gigantic size of the Istiqlal Mosque in the center of Jakarta, make a diverse audience bow their heads in respect, because 94% of the local residents are Muslim. Bow your head before the majestic walls of “Raya Baturrahman” in the city of Banda Ache, and may Allah forgive you your sins.
But what are stone and wood before the inexorability of millennia? Only music is eternal, and the leisurely tune of the traditional gamelan orchestra will outlast the strongest citadels. Its numerous bodangs, baluzhans, rebabs, sleptems and chelempungs put you into a trance just by their names, so what can we say about hearing? Often performances are accompanied by kris and kecak dances, especially popular in Bali, which depict stories from the Indian epic "Ramayana" and fights between all kinds of evil spirits. By the way, the Ramayana and another epic, the Mahabharata, became the basis of national literature and the famous Wayang kulit shadow theater. The performances of this theater last all night and serve not only as entertainment, but also as a kind of ritual. The puppeteer, called a dalang, skillfully manipulates puppets made from buffalo skin, their shadows cast on a white screen illuminated by a lamp. A good dalang makes you believe that at least several people are participating in the performance. This art is especially developed in Bali and Yogyakarta.
And yet, the most recognizable and sought-after form of national cultural heritage has been and remains painting, including batik, and wood carving. It is not without reason that in the 50-60s of the last century, higher educational institutions were opened in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, graduating famous abstract and realist artists, and in Ubud (Bali island) there is an entire academy of painting and carving. The results of her creations can be appreciated and purchased in countless art shops in this artist village.
Batik painting as an art form emerged in the second half of the 20th century and reached particular heights in Jogyakarta, where there are galleries and exhibitions dedicated exclusively to it. Growing demand from foreign tourists only spurs the painting and carving industry, although it also makes it more standardized and primitive. But even among the countless amounts of outright consumer goods put up for sale, if you wish, you can find real pearls at a completely bargain price - that’s what makes the search process so exciting.
Speaking about local culture and customs, it is impossible not to mention kris daggers, which occupy a special place in the life of every man in Java and Bali. Their history goes back 2 thousand years. The dagger protects its owner and his family from evil spirits and has magical powers.
The process of making real kris takes from several years to an entire human life. There were craftsmen who made just one dagger, and its cost exceeded all reasonable limits. The blade was forged from meteorite iron in several layers and could hit the enemy even at a distance. Of course, the vast majority of kris are devoid of such strength and are made of ordinary steel, but they enjoy no less love and respect from their owners. At the entrance to the house there is always a shelf with a scabbard, where a wavy blade with a carved handle performs its honorable service.
Calendars
Indonesia uses calendars of various systems and eras. The most widely used is the modern solar Gregorian calendar.
Along with it, the lunar hijri is used, the month in which is the period between two new moons. There are twelve months in the Muslim calendar, as in the European one. Their names are the same as in the ancient solar-lunar Arabic calendar. Length of months: Muharram - 29 days, Safar - 30 days, Rabi Awwal - 29 days, Rabi Sani - 29 days, Jumada Awwal - 29 days, Jumada Sani - 30 days, Rajab - 29 days, Sha'ban - 30 days, Ramadan - 30 days, Shawwal - 30 days, Dhul-Qaada - 29 days, Dhul-Hijjah - 30 days. 12 months form a lunar year (354 days). Every third year is a leap year (355 days). 33 Hijri years are approximately equal to 32 solar years. There are special tables for converting Hijri dates to the European solar calendar.
Among the Javanese, the lunisolar Javanese calendar, created on the basis of the lunisolar calendar of Ancient India of the Shaka era (chronology from 78 AD) in correlation with the Hijra, retains its significance, especially in ritual practice. This calendar was introduced by Sultan Agung in 1633. The beginning of the year coincides with the beginning of the Hijri year. The months were named as follows: suro/sura, sapar, mulud, bakdomulud, jumadil aval, jumadil akhir, rejeb, ruwah, pasa, sawal, hapit, rayagung, and the days of the week were minggu (Sunday), senin (Monday), selasa (Tuesday). ), rebo (Wednesday), kemis (Thursday), jamuah (Friday), setu (Saturday). The usual names of the days of the week are combined with “bazaar” ones: klivon, legi, paing, pon, vage. These combinations (neptu) are of great importance, since they determine favorable or unfavorable days. For example, the following are considered bad for travel: Sunday-Paing, Saturday-Mon, Friday-Wage, Tuesday-Klivon, Monday-Lehi, Thursday-Wage. Eight years form the Windu calendar cycle.
In addition to astronomical ones, there are priestly calendars based on observations of the cycles of natural phenomena. These include, for example, the Javanese Wuku calendar. The year consists of 30 seven-day weeks, or 210 days. The years are combined into cycles of 7, 8, 12 and 32 years. The years of the 12-year cycle are named after animals borrowed from the Hindu calendar, and the years of the 7-year cycle are named after the day on which the year begins. The priests count the days that alternate in parallel weeks of different numbers of days.
The Balinese also have a similar calendar called pawukon. With its help, the dates of temple holidays, other celebrations, various works, as well as days favorable or unfavorable for any undertakings are determined. The year consists of 30 weeks (wuku) of 7 days each. There are 6 special seven-day cycles (ingkel) in a year, repeating every 54 days. Along with a seven-day week, calculations use weeks consisting of a different number of days (from one to ten). Dates are flexible and are set depending on the intersection of these weeks. A day is considered favorable when, for example, the day “Kliwon” from a five-day week coincides with the day “Kajeng” from a week of a three-day cycle. But the most successful day is the one that is at the intersection of favorable days of three different weeks. Mastering the calendar with its favorable and unfavorable intersections requires special knowledge, which, as a rule, only priests possess.
Official holidays
Only three official holidays have a fixed date in Indonesia:
- New Year (January 1),
- Independence Day (August 17),
- Christmas (December 25).
The rest of the holidays in Indonesia are religious, and their dates are determined according to the lunar calendar: Muslim - according to the Hijri, and Hindu-Buddhist - according to the Shaka calendar. These include:
- The night of the miraculous ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to Allah, Mikraj (27 Rajab);
- Nyepi is one of the main holidays in Balinese Hinduism (agama tirtha). Celebrated on the island of Bali annually in March for two days and falls on the New Year according to the Shaka calendar;
- Death of the Prophet Isa - Good Friday (March-April);
- Idul Fitri, or Lebaran - the holiday of breaking the fast after the end of fasting (Turkic - Eid al-Adha) (1 Shawwal);
- Vesak is the Thrice Holy Day, the celebration of the anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. It falls on the full moon of the 6th lunar month (May). Celebrated by followers of Buddhism by making a pilgrimage to the Borobudur Temple;
- Ascension of Isa (April - May);
- Idul Adha - the holiday of sacrifice (Turkic - Kurban Bayram) in memory of the sacrifice of Ibrahim (10 Dhul-Hijjah);
- Muslim New Year (1 Muharram), coinciding with the Javanese New Year (1 Suro);
- Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad - Mawlid an-Nabi (12 Rabi Avwal).
Muslim fasting (puasa) occurs during the month of Ramadan. During this month, during the daytime, before dark, eating and smoking, as well as gambling, all kinds of entertainment and intimate relationships between spouses are not allowed. The fast of Ramadan was established as a reminder that it was in this month that Muhammad was first overshadowed by Divine Revelation. He heard sayings, the meaning of which was the greatness of Allah.
In addition, national holidays (working days) are widely celebrated:
- Day of Kartini - enlightener, National Hero of Indonesia (April 21),
- Pancasila Protection Day (October 1st)
- Armed Forces Day (October 5),
- Youth Pledge Day (October 28),
- Heroes Day (November 10), etc.
Among the traditional holidays:
- Diwali (Deepavali) is the festival of lights. One of the most important holidays of the Indian community. Represents the triumph of good and light over evil, darkness and ignorance.
- Galungan is one of the main holidays in Balinese Hinduism. Celebrated on the island of Bali annually - every 210 days, lasts ten days. Represents the victory of virtue "dharma" over evil "adharma", glorification of the main deity Sanghyang Vidi Vasa. The last day of the holiday is called kuningan - from kuning - yellow, because... The main treat on this day is yellow saffron rice.
- Chinese New Year (Tahun Baru Imlek) is a holiday of the Chinese community (January - February).
- Mantran is a ceremony to welcome the New Year according to the Javanese calendar on the eve of the first day of the month of Suro in Yogyakarta.
- Sadrapan is a traditional festival of Javanese fishermen. Held at the end of the year and aims to “appease” the guardian of the seas, Baurexo. A buffalo's head is offered as a sacrifice to the sea monster.
- Saparan is a traditional ceremony in Java in the Yogyakarta area, designed to ward off troubles and misfortunes from people. Dolls made of rice and stuffed with coconut molasses (“blood”), depicting a married couple (bekakak), are sacrificed.
Kitchen
National cuisine combines the diversity of regional traditions of numerous peoples of Indonesia. Local cooking has a specific taste that is unfamiliar to Europeans. Local aromatic spices make the dishes unusual: tamarind, pepper (black, red, white and green), nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, garlic.
Rice occupies a place of honor in the Indonesian diet; there are many options for preparing it - the grain is boiled, fried, mixed with vegetables, seafood, eggs, and meat.
It should be noted that pork is not eaten in Indonesia, since the vast majority of the population professes Islam.
Equally important on the Indonesian menu is fish, which is served salted, smoked, fried, boiled and dried.
A common ingredient in island cuisine is milk and coconut pulp.
An indispensable accompaniment to every meal are sauces: sweet and sour, nut, soy, which add piquancy and uniqueness to the dishes.
Equally popular in the country are legumes, sago and sweet potatoes. Main dishes are complemented with bamboo shoots, hearts of palm, pickled mango and breadfruit.
The island cuisine offers such delicacies as shark fin soup, baked frog legs, fried swallow's nests, cuttlefish with vegetables.
Local fruits, which in Indonesia play the role of dessert, will help extinguish the fire in your mouth from hot seasonings and sauces. In addition to exotic fruits, Indonesians prepare baked goods based on rice flour with a variety of fillings for sweets.
Traditionally, food is placed on a banana leaf and eaten with the right hand only. Before and after meals, it is mandatory to wash your hands with lemon water. Tourists are served cutlery, except for a knife, which is considered a sign of aggression by local residents.
Popular drinks include freshly squeezed fruit juices, tea, rice wines, and arak palm vodka. Local beer has good taste.
The famous Kopi Luwak coffee is the most expensive in the world. It is produced in a very extravagant way - by extracting digested coffee beans from the excrement of palm marten.
Tourism
The development of tourism in Indonesia is characterized by high rates. The number of local residents traveling around the country reaches 160 million people a year. Particular attention is paid to guests from abroad as an important source of replenishment of foreign exchange reserves. Thus, in 2012, 7.2 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia. The material and technical base for receiving and serving travelers is being strengthened, hotel and restaurant facilities are being improved, historical and cultural monuments are being restored, and the network of national parks and reserves and resort areas is expanding.
Information support includes the publication of guidebooks, maps, brochures in foreign languages, the opening of travel agencies abroad, participation in international and regional conferences and meetings on tourism issues. Seven tourism development centers have been opened abroad (Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, London, Taipei).
Measures are being taken to liberalize visa and customs regimes (in 1993, citizens of 45 countries received the right to visa-free entry for up to two months if they have at least one thousand dollars), and new excursion routes are being developed. Along with recreational tourism, scientific, business, environmental, and health tourism are developing: on the island of Bali there is the only thalassotherapy center in Southeast Asia (healing using sea water, plankton and algae).
Targeted campaigns to attract travelers under the slogan “Visit Indonesia!” are becoming regular. (the first campaign was in 1991, the last one in 2011). The government pins great hopes for the further development of tourism on the implementation of the plan adopted under the auspices of the UN to create a unified transport system uniting all the countries of South and Southeast Asia. In accordance with it, the construction of the trans-Sumatran highway has been completed, and roads are being modernized in Java and other islands. Indonesia is an active member of the World Tourism Organization.
Indonesia is named the best surfing destination in the World's Best 100 Waves survey conducted by Australian magazine Tracks. In the list of one hundred surfing beaches, Desert Point on the island is in first place. Lombok. Next come: Grajangan in Java (third place); Padang-Padang in Bali (10th place); Hollow Trees (12), Macaronis (15), Nias (31) in Sumatra; Lakey Peak (33) in Sumbawa; One Palm Point (34) in Java; Periscopes (44) in Sumbawa; Asu (45), Bawa (59) in Sumatra; Canggu (68), Kuta Beach (93) in Bali; Lances Left (100) in Sumatra.
Several Indonesian hotels (including Four Seasons Resort Bali and Amandari on the island of Bali) are included in the list of the top 100 hotels in the world, and Bali itself as a tourist destination is ranked second in the world (after Sydney) and first in Asia.
Currency
The national currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah. There are 100 sen in 1 rupee, but there are no sen in circulation due to high inflation. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 rupees, and coins in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 rupees. Foreign currency can be easily exchanged at any bank or exchange office. Torn banknotes are accepted at a slightly reduced rate at an exchange office in the very center of Jakarta on the street. Durian (Jl. Durian). Rate as of November 2014:
1 Russian ruble equals 300 rupees.
1 US dollar is equal to 12,290 rupees.
Avoid street money changers, suspicious and unauthorized exchange offices (there are cases that “leftist” exchangers themselves write under the sign that they are authorized). They may slip you counterfeit money or “show a trick” as a result of which you will not receive a significant part of the money (from 10% to 50%), be careful!
Shopping
Indonesia is distinguished by high quality goods - both souvenirs and clothing. Handmade products are most valued: jewelry, leather, wicker and textiles; crafts made of wood, stone and silver; homespun carpets; painted porcelain; batik. Guests of the country are happy to buy local honey, Javanese jasmine tea and coffee.
The best fashion stores are located in Jakarta's large shopping malls - Taman Anggrek Mall and Plaza Indonesia, where products from popular world brands are presented. But you won’t be able to save money in such stores, and budget shopping awaits tourists in traditional markets. Bargaining is appropriate here and allows you to reduce the initial price by 2 or even 3 times.
Shops are open daily from 09.00 to 18.00, in tourist areas - until 21.00. In some Muslim areas, shops are closed on Fridays.
Accommodation
Indonesia has an excellent selection of modern hotels of any category that meet international standards and feature a high level of service. The hotels are neat and clean, and guests are provided with free bottled drinking water.
It is recommended to book hotel rooms in advance during the dry season, after the holy month of Ramadan, during the New Year and Christmas holidays, as well as at the end of March, when the New Year is celebrated for the third time in Indonesia (the first is in October, the second is in December along with everything peace).
Hotels of almost all international hotel chains - Ramada, Holiday Inn, InterContinental - are available to vacationers. Accommodation options - bungalows, standard rooms, luxury villas. Hotels offer guests golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and spa centers. Many Indonesian hotels charge tourists a deposit that is returned upon check-out - a guarantor in case of compensation for possible damage. Prices for a room in a 3* hotel start from $50, in a “four” hotel accommodation will cost $100-120 for two, in a five-star hotel rooms cost from $200.
It is easy to find more budget hotels in the country, usually located along noisy streets and providing a minimum set of amenities. A room in a boarding house, losmen or penginapan (inexpensive hotels) can be rented for $10-20 per day.
Transport
Tourists usually travel as part of excursion groups, by taxi, or use the services of local guides with a car.
Public transport in Indonesia is poorly developed, but major cities have buses, bemos, auto rickshaws, motor rickshaws, pedicabs and horse-drawn carriages. When paying for travel, be careful - tourists may be asked to pay much more money than local residents.
Rail transport is available only in Java and Sumatra.
Driving a rented car is not the best way to get around the country. Driving in Indonesia is on the left, country roads are narrow and not of very high quality. Many roads are one-way at various times of the day, but there are no warning signs indicating when travel is allowed. There are few road signs, and they often contain conflicting information.
To travel long distances, it is wiser to use an airplane.
Helpful information
Safety
Indonesia is a Muslim country, so it is necessary to follow some rules of behavior: women should not sunbathe topless, do not wear short shorts or skirts, and cover their shoulders and knees in mosques and institutions. Before visiting temples, it is recommended to wear a sarong (a piece of fabric covering the legs), which can be rented in a shop next to the sanctuary. During religious rituals, you should not talk loudly or clap your hands. You should not touch the heads of local residents or point your finger at them. It is considered offensive to point your lower limb in someone's direction when sitting in a cross-legged position. Also avoid high-pitched conversations and displays of affection in public.
The left hand is considered “unclean” by local peoples, so when communicating with the natives, try not to take or give anything with it, and under no circumstances touch your interlocutor.
During the rainy season, you should avoid visiting the mountainous regions of the country, since at this time of year there are frequent landslides, huge masses of which suddenly fall on populated areas and destroy them.
In Indonesia, it is necessary to wear a hat, sunglasses and use sunscreen at all times, as the level of natural radiation here is significantly higher. Before swimming, wear rubber slippers to avoid getting hurt on the coral or stepping on poisonous underwater creatures.
Do not touch local animals under any circumstances - wounds from their teeth and claws can become seriously infected.
Swim only in designated areas - there are strong undercurrents and high tidal waves around the islands.
Indonesia is a paradise for insects, many of which carry diseases. Try not to leave sweet stains on your clothes while eating and shower as often as possible so as not to attract insects with the smell of sweat. If you decide to visit the country during the wet season, then it would be a good idea to take a course of anti-malarial drugs, stock up on mosquito nets and repellents.
On Komodo Island, stay away from the famous monitor lizard, its attacks are unpredictable, and the poisonous saliva of the huge reptile will not allow the wound to heal for a long time.
You should only drink bottled water. Make sure that ice is prepared only from boiled water. Be careful when eating food from street stalls. Be sure to rinse the fruits thoroughly with running water and scald with boiling water.
Indonesia has a low crime rate, but theft is common in tourist areas, so do not show large amounts of cash or valuables to others.
In Jakarta, smoking in public places can result in a 6-month prison sentence or a fine of around $6,000.
The distribution and use of narcotic substances is punishable by death, or at best by 20 years in prison.
Due to increased activity by Islamic fundamentalists, visiting West Timor and Irian Jaya is not recommended.
