INDONESIA

BACKGROUND OF THE COUNTRY

NAME: Indonesia
CAPITAL CITY:Jakarta
LARGEST CITY:Jakarta
MONETARY UNIT: Indonesian rupiah
GOVERNMENT: Unitary presidential constitutional republic
FLAG:

Indonesia was formerly known as the Dutch East Indies (or Netherlands East Indies). Although Indonesia
did not become the country’s official name until the time of independence, the name was used as early as
1884 by a German geographer; it is thought to derive from the Greek indos, meaning “India,” and nesos,
meaning “island.” After a period of occupation by the Japanese (1942–45) during World War II,
Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Its struggle for independence,
however, continued until 1949, when the Dutch officially recognized Indonesian sovereignty. It was not
until the United Nations (UN) acknowledged the western segment of New Guinea as part of Indonesia in
1969 that the country took on its present form. The former Portuguese territory of East Timor (Timor-
Leste) was incorporated into Indonesia in 1976. Following a UN-organized referendum in 1999, however,
East Timor declared its independence and became fully sovereign in 2002.
The Indonesian archipelago represents one of the most unusual areas in the world: it encompasses a major
juncture of Earth’s tectonic plates, spans two faunal realms, and has for millennia served as a nexus of the
peoples and cultures of Oceania and mainland Asia. These factors have created a highly diverse
environment and society that sometimes seem united only by susceptibility to seismic and volcanic
activity, close proximity to the sea, and a moist, tropical climate.
 TOP THREE ATTRACTIONS/DESTINATIONS IN INDONESIA

BOROBUDUR
Location:Magelang, Central Java

The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and
was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The
monument is located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the centre of the
island of Java, Indonesia.
The main temple is a stupa built in three tiers around a hill which was a natural centre: a
pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular
platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine
low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,520 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72
openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.
The vertical division of Borobudur Temple into base, body, and superstructure perfectly accords
with the conception of the Universe in Buddhist cosmology. It is believed that the universe is
divided into three superimposing spheres, kamadhatu, rupadhatu, and arupadhatu, representi ng
respectively the sphere of desires where we are bound to our desires, the sphere of forms where
we abandon our desires but are still bound to name and form, and the sphere of formlessness
where there is no longer either name or form. At Borobudur Temple , the kamadhatu is
represented by the base, the rupadhatu by the five square terraces, and the arupadhatu by the
three circular platforms as well as the big stupa. The whole structure shows a unique blending of
the very central ideas of ancestor worship, related to the idea of a terraced mountain, combined
with the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.
BALI
Location: East of Java and West of Lombok

Bali is the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago. The island’s home to an
ancient culture that's known for its warm hospitality. Exotic temples and palaces set against stunning
natural backdrops are some of its top attractions. Dining in Bali presents endless choices of local or far-
flung cuisine. After sunset, famous nightspots come to life offering exciting clubbing and packed dance
floors. Inland, towering volcanoes and pristine jungles greet you with plenty to see and do. Most can't
stay away from the beach for long, though. Enjoy amazing beach resorts and luxury resorts in any of
Bali’s famous areas. These include Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran where most of the great hotels and
villas are right on the beach. They’re also home to most of Bali’s exciting surf spots. For tranquil
seascapes and sunrises, the eastern beach resorts are your best bets. These include Sanur, Nusa Dua and
the remote coast of Candidasaare your best bets.
Some of Bali’s monikers may come out as cliché, but they still hold some truth. There’s “island of the
gods”, and “land of a thousand temples” (though there’s more than that). Just like its ancient landmarks,
you can encounter cultural vibes and festivities that have lived on since centuries. Natural beauty awaits
you all around the island, from down at the coastlines to up in its green mountains and valleys. The most
famous beach resorts are in the island’s more crowded south, while the central highlands offer you
tranquil escapes amongst lush green rice field panoramas.
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
Location:Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Komodo National Park, located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of
Sumbawa and Flores, is composed of three major islands (Rinca, Komodo, and Padar) and numerous
smaller ones, all of them of volcanic origin. Located at the juncture of two continental plates, this national
park constitutes the “shatter belt” within the WallaceaBiogeographical Region, between the Australian
and Sunda ecosystems. The property is identified as a global conservation priority area, comprising
unparalleled terrestrial and marine ecosystems and covers a total area of 219,322 ha. The dry climate has
triggered specific evolutionary adaptation within the terrestrial flora that range from open grass-woodland
savanna to tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest and quasi cloud forest. The rugged hillsides and dry
vegetation highly contrast with the sandy beaches and the blue coral-rich waters.
The most remarkable inhabitant of Komodo National Park is the Komodo Lizard, Varanuskomodoensis.
These giant lizards, existing no-where else in the world, are of great scientific interest, especially for their
evolutionary implications. Most commonly known as 'Komodo Dragons', due to its appearance and
aggressive behavior, the Komodo Lizard, is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average
length of 2 to 3 meters. The species is the last representative of a relic population of large lizards that
once lived across Indonesia and Australia. As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park
provides a refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an
endemic rat, and the Timor deer. The rich coral reefs of Komodo host a great diversity of species, and the
strong currents of the sea attract the presence of sea turtles, whales, dolphins and dugongs.
REFERENCES

 Indonesia Retrieved February 27, 2019 from https://www.britannica.com/place/Indonesia

 Top Three Tourist Attractions Retrieved February 27, 2019 from
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 The Borobudur Temple Retrieved February 27, 2019 from https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592
 About Bali, Indonesia Retrieved February 27, 2019 from http://www.bali-indonesia.com/,
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