Indonesia

Asia

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Indonesia

With a coastline stretching nearly 55,000 km, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. There are 17,504 islands in the country, three of which are among the world’s largest: Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua.

Indonesian seas contribute 18% of the total number of coral reefs worldwide. You can find 75% of the world's coral reef species in the Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua. Other popular diving and snorkeling destinations include Bunaken, Wakatobi, and Komodo national parks.

Lying on the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is home to over 100 active volcanoes. As a result of the eruptions, you can find stunning volcanic lakes like Lake Kelimutu, Lake Batur, and Lake Toba — the world's largest volcanic lake.

Besides its natural beauty, Indonesia is also famous for its cuisine, which features rich spices and flavors. Some of the must-try dishes include fried rice, pempek, rawon, satay, and rendang, which often makes the list of the most delicious foods in the world.

Get to Know Indonesia

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Indonesia

What you need to know before traveling here

Practical Tips for Indonesia

Things to prepare and best way to visit

What are the most popular places in Indonesia?

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is a popular destination with many places of interest from amusement parks to art galleries and luxurious shopping malls. With two international airports and several railway stations, it is also an excellent transit city for those who wish to travel to different parts of Indonesia.

Other world-famous destinations are Bali, a tropical island where you can find dramatic cliffside temples and spectacular natural landscapes, and Yogyakarta, a treasure house of cultural attractions like Prambanan Temple and the Palace of Yogyakarta, as well as a point of departure to Borobudur Temple.

What is Indonesia known for in the world?

As the world's largest archipelagic country with over 1,000 ethnic groups, Indonesia is best known for its biodiversity and cultural diversity. Discover amazing wildlife, including the native orangutans and komodo dragons as well as a plethora of coral reefs, and meet people of various ethnicities who speak hundreds of different languages, as you travel across the country.

What language do Indonesians speak?

The official language of Indonesia is Indonesian. It is a standardized variety of Malay and shares many similarities with the Standard Malay used in Malaysia. Aside from that, most Indonesians speak at least one indigenous language. There are more than 700 unique local languages spoken in Indonesia, with Javanese, Sundanese, and Madurese having the most speakers.

How many islands are in Indonesia?

Indonesia is composed of some 17.000 islands, around 6.000 of which are inhabited. The five main islands are Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea.

What festivals do Indonesians celebrate?

Various cultural festivals are held annually in Indonesia, such as the Baliem Valley Festival in Papua (held for three days in August), the Ogoh-ogoh Festival in Bali (held one day before Nyepi Day), and the Dieng Culture Festival in the Dieng Plateau, Central Java (held in the middle of the year). Schedule your trip to coincide with these fascinating events for an even more unforgettable experience!