LocationSouth-East Asia.
Area1,922,570 million sq km (742,308 sq miles).
Population245 million (CIA estimate 2006).
Population Density127 per sq km.
CapitalJakarta (Java).
Population: 13.2 million (UN estimate 2005).
GovernmentRepublic. Declared independence from The Netherlands in 1945.
LanguageBahasa Indonesia is the official national language. Altogether, there are an estimated 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. The older generation still speaks Dutch
as a second language.
ReligionThere is a Muslim majority of approximately 90%, with Christian, Hindu (mainly in Bali) and Buddhist minorities.
TimeGMT + 7 (West) in Sumatra, Java and Western Borneo; GMT + 8 (Central) in Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali and Eastern Borneo; GMT + 9 (East) in Papua and Maluku.
Electricity127/230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs used are European-style with two circular metal pins and British-style with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade.
Head of StatePresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since 2004.
TelephoneCountry code: 62 (followed by 22 for Bandung, 21 for Jakarta, 61 for Medan and 31 for Surabaya). Many hotel lobbies have public phones which take credit cards and phone cards. State-operated phone booths or offices (
Telkom,
wartel, warpostel or
warparpostel), which work on a pay-as-you-leave basis, can be found in towns and cities throughout the country.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage may be limited to main towns and cities.
InternetThere are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist destinations.
MediaMedia freedom increased considerably after the end of President Suharto’s rule in 1998, during which the now-defunct Ministry of Information monitored and controlled domestic media and restricted foreign media.
PostAirmail to western Europe, the USA and Australia takes about 10 days. An express service is available.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1500, Sat 0800-1300 (hours may be longer in city centers).
Press• Kompas and
Pos Kota are mass-circulation dailies.
• English-language newspapers include
The Jakarta Post.
Radio• Radio Republik Indonesia (
RRI) is a public broadcaster that operates six national networks, regional and local stations, and the external service,
Voice of Indonesia.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
18 Feb Chinese New Year.
20 Mar Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
31 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
6 Apr Good Friday.
2 May Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday).
17 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
11 Aug Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
13 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
20 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
7 Feb Chinese New Year.
Mar* Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
21 Mar Good Friday.
May* Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday).
1 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
30 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.
Note(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and so if dates are given above, they are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur. (c) * Dates are to be confirmed.
Contact Information:Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of IndonesiaSapta Pesona Building, Jalal Medan Merdeka Barat 17, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 383 8167.
Website:
www.my-indonesia.info Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB)Wisma Nugra Santana Building, 9th Floor, Jalan Jend Sudirman Kav 7-8, Jakarta 10220, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 570 4879.
Website:
www.tourismindonesia.com Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the UK38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, UK
Consular section: 38A Adam’s Row, London W1X 9AD, UK
All post should be addressed to 38 Grosvenor Square.
Tel: (020) 7499 7661.
Website:
www.indonesianembassy.org.ukOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (general and tourist enquiries); 1030-1300 (visa applications) and 1430-1600 (visa collections).
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the USA2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 775 5200.
Website:
www.embassyofindonesia.org
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