Republic of
NAME
Indonesia
LOCATION Asia
GOVERNMENT Republic
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language which is a modified form of Malay.
English, Dutch, and local dialects are also spoken, the most widely of which is
Javanese
MAJOR RELIGION(S) Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu
2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1%
MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays
7.5%, other 26%.
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The history of Indonesia
dates back to the pre-historical ages. The archeological excavation and
researches have given evidence of the per-historic people called the Java Man.
The Java Man also known as Homo Erectus had settled in this
south East Asian country at least half million years ago. After the prehistoric
era the presence of Indonesia in the ancient times of the world is noticed. The
historical annals of the ancient age refer to Indonesia as a 'Jawa Dwipa'.
This south East Asian country played a major role in the trade and business which was carried out in Asia during this time. The trade accounts and trade contracts of the different countries of Asia mentions the name of Indonesia. This commercial mingling had also influenced the culture and tradition of Indonesia significantly.
The medieval history of Indonesia is also very significant. It is during this period Islam began to influence the Indonesian people. Within two centuries almost the whole island was converted to Islamism. After the muslin invasion all the relics of Hinduism was destroyed from the face of this country and Indonesia was transformed to one of largest Islamic nations of the world.
Indonesia became famous in the western world especially Europe when the Portuguese traders got to know about exotic spices in the sixteenth century. The traders not only limited themselves to trading but set up colonies there. The Dutch East Indian Company began to cultivate sugarcane and coffee in this country which is still now major crops of Indonesia. During the Second World War the country went under the possession of Japan. After the end of the war Indonesia became independent and was declared the Republic of Indonesia.
This south East Asian country played a major role in the trade and business which was carried out in Asia during this time. The trade accounts and trade contracts of the different countries of Asia mentions the name of Indonesia. This commercial mingling had also influenced the culture and tradition of Indonesia significantly.
The medieval history of Indonesia is also very significant. It is during this period Islam began to influence the Indonesian people. Within two centuries almost the whole island was converted to Islamism. After the muslin invasion all the relics of Hinduism was destroyed from the face of this country and Indonesia was transformed to one of largest Islamic nations of the world.
Indonesia became famous in the western world especially Europe when the Portuguese traders got to know about exotic spices in the sixteenth century. The traders not only limited themselves to trading but set up colonies there. The Dutch East Indian Company began to cultivate sugarcane and coffee in this country which is still now major crops of Indonesia. During the Second World War the country went under the possession of Japan. After the end of the war Indonesia became independent and was declared the Republic of Indonesia.
History & Culture
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As early as the seventh
century, powerful Buddhist and Hindu empires challenged each other for
supremacy in Indonesia: the Buddhist Srivijaya were centered in Sumatra, while
the Hindu Mataram located their capital on Java. The rich architectural and
cultural legacy that remains from that time forms the basis for Indonesia's
national identity. In the thirteenth century, the Hindu Majapahit of Java faced
a strong challenge from Muslim forces, which spread south from the Malay
peninsula. Slowly losing ground, the Hindus retreated to Bali, where they
remain today. The rest of the islands became Muslim, and various sultanates
were established.
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The sixteenth century marked the arrival of the Portuguese, the first
Europeans in Indonesia. Although the Portuguese broke the Islamic hold on
Indonesia, they were eventually displaced in turn by the Dutch, who named the
area the Dutch East Indies. Although a revolt led by Javanese Prince Diponegoro
in 1825 briefly threatened Holland's empire, Dutch rule continued until W.W.II
and invasion by the Japanese. The Indonesian revolutionary nationalist
movement, led by Sukarno, welcomed the Japanese as a potential force of
liberation, and at the war's end the movement embarked upon a bloody war of
independence against the restored Dutch rule. Although the war dragged on for
four long years, from 1945-1949, the independence movement was ultimately
victorious. Turmoil characterized the first decade of Indonesian independence, until in 1957 Sukarno unified power in his own person. An attempted coup against Sukarno in 1965 brought renewed turmoil; however, the army led by General Suharto restored order and initiated a purge of communists. Eventually Suharto eased Sukarno out of the presidency and assumed office himself. Suharto's rule ushered in a period of stability and economic development.
Indonesia's varied past has produced a remarkable array of vibrant cultures,making it one of the world's most diverse and fascinating travel destinations. Today, Indonesia is the fifth most populous nation on Earth, with over 180 million citizens comprising over 300 ethnicities. Most Indonesians are of Malay or Polynesian descent, though the country's history has produced minority populations from India, China, Arabia, and Persia, as well as from European colonial powers such as Portugal, Holland, Spain, and England.
Although primarily a Muslim nation, Indonesia is marked by wide religious tolerance. Hinduism thrives on Bali, and Christianity has a significant presence on Flores, Timor, and several other islands. Indonesians speak numerous languages and dialects, but the common language is Bahasa Indonesia. English and Dutch are also widely spoken.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia
