Indonesia (The Republic of Indonesia)

The flag of Indonesia has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white Red symbolizes courage White represents purity.

Capital is Jakarta.

Early History During the Age of Exploration, the Dutch took control of the islands that make up Indonesia. They were colonized and their spices and other natural resources—rubber—were harvested and sent back to Europe. Indonesia got its independence in 1949.

Government The government of Indonesia is a republic. Indonesia is the world’s 3 rd largest democracy. Executive branch President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono President elected by general vote

Legislative branch Bicameral—has an upper and lower house Representatives are elected by general vote Judicial branch Judges are appointed, not elected

Religion and Ethic Groups Religious Groups include Muslim 86.1% Protestant 5.7% Roman Catholic 3% Hindu 1.8% other or unspecified 3.4% Ethnic Groups include Javanese 40.6% Sundanese 15% Other smaller groups 44%

Languages include Bahasa Indonesian (official, modified form of Malay) English Dutch local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese) Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population!

Economy Indonesia has a market economy.

Major Industry –petroleum and natural gas – textiles & apparel – footwear –mining –cement –chemical fertilizers –plywood –rubber –tourism Natural Resources –petroleum –tin –natural gas –nickel –timber –bauxite –copper –coal –gold & silver

Geography & Climate Climate tropical; hot, humid more moderate in highlands Geography mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited) straddles equator strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean

Environmental Issues deforestation water pollution from industrial wastes sewage air pollution in urban areas smoke and haze from forest fires

Literacy Rate –Total 90.4% –Male 94% –Female 86.8% Life Expectancy –Total 71 –Male 68.5 –Female 73.7 GDP –$4,000 per capita Population 242,968,342 4 th largest population in world Below Poverty Level –17.8%