Travel to Indonesia

Indonesia is a truly vast and beautifully diverse country of more than 17,000 islands spread across 5,000 kilometers of tropical Equatorial Ocean. Spanning the seas between Asia and Australia, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. The major islands of Indonesia are Sumatra, Jawa, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. (Map of Indonesia)

Superimposed on the map of the Europe, Indonesia impressively stretches from London all the way to Moscow, a distance as far as Ireland to the Caspian Sea. Within this stretch of lands and sea are hundreds of smoldering volcanoes that gave birth to the rich agricultural lands of the archipelago. Verdant rice terraces clothe the loaming mountains and dazzling white beaches line the deep azure seas. Vast rain forests and dense mangroves provide refuge for the country's impressive fauna and flora.

Today, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. Within this vast archipelago live over 200 million people, scattered across the country's thousands of islands. More than 300 distinct ethnic groups have found and made their homes here, speaking hundreds of different languages and dialects. The nation's diversity owes much to history and geographic position. Located on major international trade routes for more than two millennia, all of the world's major religions and cultures have brought their influences into the archipelago.

Records show remains of man's earliest relatives, suggesting that Indonesia was not the "backwaters", but possibly a cradle of mankind. Over the years, the archipelago felt the compelling influences of Indianization, followed by the spread of Islam, the arrival of European colonialism and the dawn of a modern and eventually independent Indonesia in the 20th century. Indonesia has freely nurtured its diversity, today choosing a befitting national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, meaning "Unity in Diversity".

Destination

There are almost as many ways of traveling around Indonesia as there are many islands. More than 30 international airlines fly into Indonesia, sea transportation such as speedboats or jetfoil can be used from Singapore to the nearby islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok and other islands in the eastern part of Indonesia.

To enhance policy development in tourism, the government strives to develop the country's tourism industry by creating a more favorable situation, encouraging the improvement of accommodation, and tourism facilities, intensify well-planned programs, building infrastructures and promoting the country as a world class tourist destination. As a maritime country, Indonesia has potential cruise destination with its 80.000 lm coastline and its sea shore four times than landmass.

Indonesian coral reefs are among the most varied and important ecosystems in the world. The best coral reefs are in Wakatobi, while the most diverse fish species are found around Komodo Island, Tomini Gulf and Bunaken. Other best marine tourist places are Pulau Peucang and Pulau Panaitan of Java's western most peninsula in the Ujung Kulon Reserve, coral reefs of the Tangkoko Batuangus reserve in North Sulawesi, Pulau Kasa near Ambon in Maluku Province and reefs of the Bali Barat reserve in Bali. Besides, Borobudur Temple is still one of potential tourist attraction to develop a religious related tourism destination area.

The Government has designated 116 tourist regions, scattered throughout the country. One region is in full operation, 9 regions are in partial operation, 8 regions are under construction, and 83 regions are still in planning. So far, 458 tourist destinations and tourist attractions have been identified and enhanced.

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