Indonesia

With more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian archipelago spans 5,120 km across the equator, situated between the Asian and Australian continents. Four-fifths of the area is sea with the major islands of Java, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Sulawesi and Papua.

There are about 300 different ethnic groups that exist, offering an array of cultures and fascinating people. Indonesia's festivals are steeped in traditions, frequently featured in these events are dances, wayang theatres and other performing arts. A cultural heritage offers a wealth of traditional arts and crafts. Batik, wooden carvings, weavings, silverworks only names a few of what’s on offer.

Indonesia's landscape is greatly varied. Java and Bali have the most fertile islands. Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua are still largely covered with tropical rainforest. Open savannah and grassland can be found in Nusa Tenggara.

The lowland of Indonesia has a typically tropical climate with plenty of rainfall, high-temperatures and humidity. The plant and animals in Indonesia's western region signify that of mainland Asia while those in the eastern region are distinctive of Australia. Common species exist in the central region, such as orang-utans, tigers, one-horned rhinos, elephants, dugongs, anoas and komodo dragons. The warm tropical waters of the archipelago take care of a rich marine environment that holds a wide range of fish, coral species and marine mammals.

Understanding the Culture

Indonesians are a polite people and adopting a few local conventions will go a long way to smooth your stay.

When meeting someone, be it for the first time ever or just the first time that day, it is common to shake hands, just a light touching of the palms, often followed by bringing your hand to your heart. Meetings often start and end with everybody shaking hands with everybody! However, don't try to shake hands with a Muslim woman unless she offers her hand first. It is respectful to bend slightly (not a complete bow) when greeting someone older or in a position of authority.

Never use your left hand for anything! It is considered very rude. This is especially true when you are shaking hands or handing something to someone. It can be hard to get used to, especially if you are left handed. However, sometimes, special greetings are given with both hands.

Remove your shoes or sandals outside before entering a house, unless the owner explicitly allows you to keep them on. Even then, it might be more polite to remove your shoes. Do not put your feet up while sitting and try not to show the bottom of your feet to someone, it is considered rude.

If a guest finishes any drink all the way to the bottom of the glass, this will indicates that you would like more. Instead, leave about a half of an inch/2cm in the bottom of your glass and someone will most likely ask you if you would like more.

And if all this seems terribly complex, don't worry about it too much, Indonesians are an easygoing bunch and don't expect foreigners to know or understand intricacies of etiquette.

Understand the, Geography

Indonesia is vast. Provinces are usually grouped under main big islands and their surroundings, as listed below

Sumatra

• Sumatra, wild and rugged, the 6th largest island in the world has a great natural wealth.
• Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
• North Sumatra
• West Sumatra
• Riau, on mainland Sumatra
• Riau Islands, including the popular getaways of Bintan and Batam just off Singapore.
• Jambi
• Bengkulu
• South Sumatra
• Bangka and Belitung
• Lampung

Kalimantan

• Kalimantan (Borneo), uncharted jungles, mighty rivers, home of the orang-utan, a paradise for the adventurer.
• West Kalimantan
• Central Kalimantan
• East Kalimantan
• South Kalimantan

Java

• Java, the country's heartland, big cities and a lot of people packed on a not-so-big island.
• Jakarta,the congested capital
• Banten
• West Java
• Central Java
• Yogyakarta, providing an access point to the mighty temples of Prambanan and Borobudur
• East Java

Sulawesi

• Sulawesi, strangely shaped, this island houses a diversity of societies and some spectacular scenery.
• North Sulawesi, stunning scenery, scuba diving, resort hotels.
• Gorontalo
• Central Sulawesi
• West Sulawesi
• East Sulawesi
• South East Sulawesi
• South Sulawesi

Nusa Tenggara

• NusaTenggara (Lesser Sunda Islands), The "Southeast Islands" contain scores of ethnic groups, languages and religions.
• Bali, the tourist centre of Indonesia, but still picturesquely beautiful with surfing being the number one attraction.
• West Nusa Tenggara, Lombok and Sumbawa.
• East Nusa Tenggara,Sumbawa, Flores, Komodo and West Timor.

Maluku (Moluccas)

• Maluku (Moluccas), the historic Spice Islands, largely unexplored, and almost unknown to the outside world.
• North Maluku
• South Maluku

Irian Jaya

• Irian Jaya, the western half of the island of New Guinea, with mountains, forests, swamps, an almost impenetrable wilderness in one of the remotest places on earth.
• West Irian Jaya
• Papua