Indonesia
Background
The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East Timor - now under UN administration - has yet to be formally established.
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The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East Timor - now under UN administration - has yet to be formally established.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
Geographic coordinates
5 00 S, 120 00 E
Area
total: 1,919,440 sq km
land: 1,826,440 sq km
water: 93,000 sq km
slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Border countries
Malaysia, Papua New Guinea
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain
mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Puncak Jaya 5,030 m
Natural resources
petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Land use
arable land: 11.03%
permanent crops: 7.04%
other: 81.93% (2005)
Note
archipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
People
Population: 245,452,739 (July 2006 est.)
Population growth rate
1.41% (2006 est.)
Birth rate
20.34 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate
6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate
34.39 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 69.87 years
male: 67.42 years
female: 72.45 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.4 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Nationality
noun: Indonesian(s)
adjective: Indonesian
Ethnic groups
Javanese: 45%
Sundanese: 14%
Madurese: 7.5%
coastal Malays: 7.5%
other: 26%
Religions
Muslim 88%
Protestant 5%
Roman Catholic 3%
Hindu 2%
Buddhist 1%
other 1% (1998)
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.9%
male: 92.5%
female: 83.4% (2002 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia
conventional short form: Indonesia
local long form: Republik Indonesia
local short form: Indonesia
former: Netherlands East Indies; Dutch East Indies
Government type
republic
Capital
Jakarta
Independence
17 August 1945 (proclaimed independence; on 27 December 1949, Indonesia became legally independent from the Netherlands)
National holiday
Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
Economy
Overview
Indonesia, a vast polyglot nation, faces severe economic problems, stemming from secessionist movements and the low level of security in the regions, the lack of reliable legal recourse in contract disputes, corruption, weaknesses in the banking system, and strained relations with the IMF. Investor confidence will remain low and few new jobs will be created under these circumstances. Growth of 4.8% in 2000 is not sustainable, being attributable to favorable short-term factors, including high world oil prices, a surge in nonoil exports, and increased domestic demand for consumer durables.
GDP by sector
agriculture: 13.1%
industry: 46%
services: 41% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line
17.8% (2006)
Inflation rate
13.2% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 99 million (1999)
agriculture: 43.3%
services: 38.7% (2004 est.)
industry: 18%
Unemployment rate
12.5% (2006 est.)
Communications
Telephones: 12.772 million (2005)
Mobile Phones: 46.91 million (2005)
Radios: 31.5 million (1997)
Televisions: 13.75 million (1997)
Internet users: 16 million (2005)
Transportation
Railways: total: 6,458 km
Highways: total: 368,360 km
Waterways: 21,579 km total
Airports: 662 (2006)
