Indonesia / Republik Indonesia – Let’s explore here

What’s it like in Indonesia?

Indonesia is a stunningly beautiful country in south east Asia. It actually consists of over 17,000 islands, the largest of which are Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Java, New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), Sulawesi, and Sumatra. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

The population of Indonesia is around 282 million people (2024), around 32½ million of whom live in the metropolitan area of the capital, Jakarta. Indonesia is the fourth highest populated country in the world, and almost half the population, about 150 million people, live on the island of Java – the most populated island in the planet.

Indonesia is 3,181 miles (5,120 km) east to west, and 1,094 miles (1,760 km) north to south. Most of the islands are volcanic and mountainous. The highest point is Puncak Jaya, on the island of New Guinea, at 16,024 ft (4,884 m) above sea level – the highest mountain peak on an island on Earth.

There are some ancient cave paintings in Sulawesi and Kalimantan, dating from 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, that are considered to be the world’s oldest known cave paintings.

A bit about the history of Indonesia?

Early History and Ancient Kingdoms

The history of Indonesia dates back thousands of years, with evidence of early human habitation in the region, such as the famous Homo erectus remains found on Java. The archipelago was home to several ancient kingdoms and cultures. Notable early kingdoms included the Srivijaya Empire (7th to 13th centuries) based in Sumatra, which was a powerful maritime and trade empire, and the Majapahit Empire (13th to 16th centuries), which controlled much of south east Asia and spread Hinduism and Buddhism throughout the region.

Islamic Influence and European Colonisation

Islam began to spread to Indonesia in the 13th century through trade, becoming the dominant religion by the 16th century. During the Age of Exploration, European powers, particularly the Portuguese, Dutch and British, began to take an interest in Indonesia’s strategic location and wealth, especially in spices. The Dutch East India Company arrived in the early 17th century, and by the 19th century, the Netherlands had established colonial control over most of Indonesia, calling it the Dutch East Indies.

Colonial Era Under Dutch Rule

The Dutch consolidated control over the Indonesian archipelago, exploiting its resources, particularly spices, coffee, and rubber. Under Dutch rule, the population faced heavy taxation, forced labour and economic hardship, which led to resistance movements throughout the colony. Despite this, the Dutch continued to dominate for nearly 350 years, and Indonesia’s economy grew in export oriented industries, while the native population suffered under colonial policies.

World War II and Japanese Occupation

During World War II, the Japanese occupied Indonesia from 1942 to 1945, following the defeat of the Dutch. The Japanese occupation disrupted Dutch control and provided a backdrop for rising nationalist sentiment. The Japanese also attempted to strengthen local support by offering promises of independence, although they often imposed harsh policies. When Japan surrendered in 1945, the Netherlands initially attempted to regain control, but Indonesian independence movements had gained significant momentum.

Independence and the Struggle for Recognition

On August 17, 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesia’s independence, marking the beginning of a long struggle to secure international recognition. The Dutch resisted independence, leading to a bitter conflict known as the Indonesian National Revolution, which lasted until 1949. After several years of warfare, the Netherlands officially recognised Indonesian independence under the 1949 Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference.

Post-Independence and Political Challenges

Following independence, Indonesia faced political instability, with Sukarno becoming the first president. The country dealt with various internal conflicts, such as the 1950s rebellions and a fragile democracy. Sukarno’s ‘Guided Democracy’ eventually gave way to more centralised rule. In 1965, an attempted coup led to a violent anti-communist purge, followed by the rise of General Suharto, who became the country’s second president in 1967.

The New Order and Economic Growth

Suharto’s regime, known as the New Order, focused on political stability and economic development, including industrialisation, foreign investment and infrastructure projects. Indonesia’s economy grew significantly during the 1970s and 1980s, largely driven by oil exports and government controlled industries. However, the regime became increasingly authoritarian, with corruption, human rights abuses and repression of political dissent.

Asian Financial Crisis and Reformasi Movement

In the late 1990s, the Asian Financial Crisis severely impacted Indonesia’s economy, leading to widespread poverty and social unrest. Amid economic turmoil and political protests, Suharto was forced to resign in 1998, bringing an end to his 31 year rule. This period, known as Reformasi, marked the beginning of democratic reforms, including greater political freedoms, the decentralisation of power and free elections.

Modern Indonesia

Since the fall of Suharto, Indonesia has made significant progress in political, economic and social development. The country transitioned to a stable democracy, with free and fair elections. Indonesia’s economy, the largest in south east Asia, has diversified beyond oil and gas, including growth in manufacturing, agriculture and services. The nation remains a significant player in regional and global geopolitics, with challenges such as economic inequality, environmental degradation and religious tensions. Today, Indonesia is a democratic republic which plays a vital role in south east Asia, and continues to be an influential member of international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and ASEAN.

Indonesia road trip

We haven’t finished our planning for our road trip through Indonesia yet. When we do though, we’ll post it here, and in the blog. 

Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂

Map of Indonesia

What’s it like to drive in Indonesia?

They drive on the left hand side of the road in Indonesia. In the main, roads are quite good, although some are unsurfaced dirt tracks. Driving standards are quite poor however.

Do you require an international driving permit in Indonesia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Indonesia?

We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Indonesia?

A carnet de passages is required to overland in Indonesia. We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.

What currency do they use in Indonesia?

In Indonesia they use the Indonesian Rupiah. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is not widely accepted outside of tourist areas. Travellers cheques are not readily accepted. There are many ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Indonesia?

They speak Indonesian in Indonesia, although there are over 700 languages spoken in the country! Other widely spoken languages include Javanese, Sundanese and Musi. English is also widely spoken in tourist areas, and in large cities.

What time zone is Indonesia in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Indonesia?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

Is wild camping legal in Indonesia?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Indonesia.

What plug / socket type do they use in Indonesia?

In Indonesia they use plug / socket types C and F.

Health issues in Indonesia

Is it safe to drink water in Indonesia?

No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Indonesia. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.

What vaccinations are required for Indonesia?

This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in Indonesia.

Phones in Indonesia

What is the country calling code for Indonesia?

The country calling code for Indonesia is +62

What are the emergency phone numbers in Indonesia?

• The emergency number for police in Indonesia is: 112 / 110
• In Indonesia, the emergency number for ambulance is: 112 / 118 / 119
• The emergency number for fire in Indonesia is: 112 / 113 / 1131

If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!