From the tip of Sabang in the west to Merauke in the East, with more than 17,000 islands resembling a String of Jewels in the Orient, the Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world spanning 3,198 miles (5,150 km). Nestled between the Australian and Asian continent it divides the Pacific and Indian Ocean at the Equator.

The archipelago has a total land area of 1,919,443 sq km and 7.9 million sq km of sea area. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea and sea borders with Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and The Philippines.

The eight main islands are Sumatra (473,606 sq km), Java (132,107 sq km), Bali (12,150 sq km), Kalimantan (539,460 sq km, also known as Borneo), Sulawesi (189,216 sq km), Maluku (87,100 sq km), Nusa Tenggara and Papua (421,981 sq km, formerly known as Irian Jaya).

Most of the islands in Indonesia are mountainous, some with a line of extinct and active volcanoes with their bubbling, steaming grey mud, bright yellow sulphuric rocks and vast rivers of black gaseous lava. The country is rich with natural resources such as petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver, fish, tropical wood and various flora and fauna.

With over 200 million inhabitants, Indonesia is made up of 300 ethnic groups, each with its own dialect and culture and united by an official national language, Bahasa Indonesia. The country's motto is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", which means Unity in Diversity: "One Nation, One Country and One Language".

Indonesian Language

Although more than 563 official languages and dialects belonging to different ethnic groups are spoken throughout the archipelago, the country is united with one official national language - Bahasa Indonesia. The country's motto is "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", which means Unity in Diversity: "One Nation, One Country and One Language". Bahasa Indonesia is still developing and many foreign words (from English, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, etc) are integrated in the language.

The younger generation (mostly in Jakarta) often use a slang language called "prokem".

Useful Words/Phrases for visitors:

 Travel in Indonesia

Visa:

Generally a foreign national must obtain a visa in order to enter the Republic of Indonesia. Visa application is carried out at the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate to the applicant's domicile. The visa issued is valid for sixty days (not two months).

All visitors are required to have a passport of at least six months validity and return ticket upon arrival. Visa has been waived for citizens of forty six countries for a stay of up to sixty days which cannot be extended. Should visitors wish to stay more than sixty days, he/she has to disembark Indonesia and re-enter. Visa application can be processed at the Embassies and Consulates of The Republic of Indonesia around the world: Africa/Middle-East, America, and Asia/pacific, and Europe.

Money:

Indonesian currency is the Indonesian Rupiah. Other than cash, most of places in tourist areas accept major Credit Cards and Traveler's Check. ATMs can also be found throughout major cities and tourist areas for cash advances. The currency unit in the Republic of Indonesia is called the Rupiah (Rp.).

The Rupiah is issued in coins and bank notes. Coins of 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Rupiah are in circulation in both the old silver-coloured coins and the new bronze and bright silver colour coins. Bank notes are issued in 100, 500, 1.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000 and 100.000 Rupiah denominations (plastic bank notes).

Due to the Asian monetary crisis, new IMF regulation and the political situation within the country, the currency has been fluctuating greatly. Exchange rates can be as low as Rp. 12.000 to US$ 1 although it appears to settle in at around Rp. 8.000 to Rp. 8.500. Although Indonesia is more of a cash-oriented society, major credits card and travellers cheques are widely accepted in the major tourist areas, businesses centres, star hotels, airline offices and travel agencies.

Cash & Traveler's checks: US-dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency throughout the archipelago regions. However, other major foreign currencies, like euro, can be exchanged as well in the main cities and tourist areas. Traveler's Check issued from a major US company such as American Express, Citicorp or Bank of America are widely accepted.

Exchange rates vary between one bank/money changer to another, hence it advisable to shop around prior to exchanging your currency. Banks usually have much better exchange rates, though money changers may offer the best rates for cash. A crisp US $100 note will give you a better exchange rate than the smaller US$ note denomination or Traveler's Check.

Most star hotels, department stores and expensive shops accept Traveler's Check at poor rates. Make sure prior to exchanging Traveler's Check you ask any commission that might apply. Do not be tricked with the "incredible" signboard rates. Remember to always count your Rupiah before you hand over your money.

Credit cards and Atm:

Though Indonesia is more of a cash-oriented society, major credits cards are widely accepted in the major tourist areas, businesses centres, star hotels, airline offices and travel agencies. MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted. 2.5 % to 3% commission is commonly added for any purchase made using major credit cards. Cash advances can also be obtained through money changers (with a steep six per cent commission) or major banks.

ATMs are becoming a more common place way to obtain cash advances or withdrawals from overseas savings accounts. Many Indonesian banks have ATMs linked to the international banking networks, i.e.: Cirrus, Maestro, and Plus. Make sure to check with your bank at home if you can use ATMs facilities in Indonesia and check the charges that might apply.

Tipping and Bargaining:

Tipping is not a common practice; however, it is often expected for certain services such as someone who carries your bag, hotel porters or a local person who guides you around a tourist attraction. Tipping a taxi is unnecessary, the driver usually rounds the fare to the next Rp. 1.000. Most posh restaurants or cafés have adapted the western style by including the service charge in their billing.

Bargaining is something that you have to practice when you visit an open market. Bargaining can be fun - it's a game won by strategy and should be done leisurely and not with hostility. Don't show too much interest in any item that you wish to purchase while bargaining.

It is advisable for you not to make an initial offer and let the seller quote the price for you. Try to bargain as low as two-thirds of the quoted price, until you get an acceptable price. If an acceptable price is not reached pretend that you are walking away, most often the seller will call you back and offer you a lower price and sometimes will sell to you at the price you were asking.

Most shops in the big shopping malls, supermarkets, posh boutiques, restaurants and hotels adapt the western style offering goods at a fixed price and with no bargaining.

Time:

Indonesia has three time zones. West Indonesia Standard Time (Sumatra, Java, Western half of Kalimantan) is GMT plus seven hours; Central Indonesia Standard Time (Eastern Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Lombok, and Nusatenggara) is GMT plus eight hours; and East Indonesia Standard Time (Maluku and Irian Jaya) is GMT plus nine hours.

Climate:

Tropical, temperatures range from 68 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (26 - 32 degrees Celsius) with humidity of 60 to 90 per cent. The temperature is cooler in the highland regions. Indonesia has a typical equatorial climate: Dry and Wet seasons.

Health:

Health risks include Dengue Fever, Cholera, Diarrhoea, Malaria, Polio and Typhoid. Since most bacterial infections can be transmitted by contaminated food and water, it is advisable not to drink local fresh milk and food sold by the street vendors. It is advisable to drink the dairy products labelled pasteurised and drink sealed-bottle mineral water. Make sure that the vegetables and fruits are thoroughly washed, rinsed and peeled if eaten raw. Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and salt deficiency that might lead to heat exhaustion.

Electricity:

Previously, current has run under 110 Volts, 50 Hz, but most major cities are changing over to 220-240 Volts, 50 Hz. It is advisable to make sure which current is running before plugging in your electrical appliances. An adapter might be needed if your electrical equipment's plug is not the European two-pronged type plug.

Weight & Measurement:

Metric System.

Transportation:

Public transportation is available by air, train, sea, and other land transportation such as bus, taxi, motorcycle, bicycle, becak (tricycle), bajaj, helicak, bemo, oplet and mikrolet.

Phone Service and Internet Access:

All domestic and International calls (IDD) can be placed from hotel rooms, local telephone offices or in a privately run telephone service shop, locally called WARTEL (Warung Telpon, literally means Telephone Office).

Public telephone booths as well as telephone cards are available for local and domestic calls to other cities only. Internet access is available in posh hotels, business centres in major cities or a WARNET (Warung Internet/Internet Cafe) which also provide the services of a WARTEL.