Indonesia with its 17,508 islands, is the world's largest archipelago, the islands includes Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya, Bali, Lombok and many small others, with 1,905,443 square kilometer, stretching over 5,152 kilometers from east to west and 1,770 kilometers from north to south. It is also the world's fourth largest population, approximately 200 million people, spread in 32 provinces. Indonesia is basically of Malay heritage, and has about 300 ethnic groups, with 583 regional languages, while “Bahasa Indonesia” is the national language. The Moslem religion is predominant, embrace by 95% of the people.

Geographically, Indonesia is situated around the equator between 6 degrees northern latitude and 11 degrees southern longitude. It knows only two seasons, namely wet season October to April and dry season from April to October.

Java is the principal island in terms of population and land use, and it is here, in the capital of Indonesia , Jakarta , that the centre of the government is located. It is also the most densely populated island, as 63% of the entire population lives on it.

Republic of Indonesia gained its independence on August 17 th , 1945, extending between two continents: Asia and Australia . It is only in this country where two distinct form and colors of biosphere to be found. The great naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace - who shaped the theory of evolution with Charles Darwin had drowned the line dividing flora and fauna of Indonesia (named to be the Wallace Line). It marks the end of one realm and the beginning of another, “The two great zoological divisions of the eastern hemisphere,” as he put it. Other scientists divide Indonesia into three zones based on the theory that in the Ice Age, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java were joined to each other and shared the Sunda Shelf with the Asia Mainland while Irian Jaya lay on the Sahul Shelf with Australia . There are similarities of Fauna with the continents they belong to, while the region in between has another type of fauna and even a marked difference in the flora and avifauna.

To protect the rare species from extinction, the government has established nature reserves throughout the country, among the rare animals of Indonesia are the Orang Utan primates found in Sumatra and Kalimantan, the Komodo dragon (Giant Lizards) found on small island between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, the one horned Rhinoceros of West Java, the Babi Rusa or Deer Pig and Anoa Dwarf Buffalo of Sulawesi, and many other species of rare animals all over the country.

Lying in the centre of Indo-Pacific marine basin, the country boasts many beautiful sea gardens with an amazing variety of forms and colors. Corals are growing on an extensive reefs provide a haven and nourishment for whole communities in marine life. Indonesia 's coral reefs harbor a multitude of ornamental fish, species, combined with the extraordinary variety of the coral; they offer some of the most unforgettable experiences for snorkelers and scuba divers. Best snorkeling and diving spots can be found at most of Indonesia 's islands but yet lots are still undiscovered. Marine tourism has made great strides in Indonesia in the past years, and professional dive centre with certified dive masters and guides are available at most major marine tourist resorts.

Indonesia 's rich cultural heritage has provided fertile ground for the growth of an equally rich tradition of arts and crafts. Indonesia art forms known at present are mostly derived from folklore and religious ritual, but many have been developed in the royal and princely courts of extremely high degrees of refinement. The famous dance dramas and shadow plays of Java and Bali are based on Ramayana and Mahabharata epics of Hindu mythology, although infused with a good measure of local tradition. In general Indonesia arts are presented in many ways and mostly related to certain event or character of the event, be in forms of weaving pattern wood carving ornaments on every temple and shrine and even in painting forms. Hand-woven textiles, like everything else in Indonesia , reflect the existing diversity of cultures in the country. Each area has its own yarns, its own patterns and its own techniques and woven into each fabric is the history and culture of its maker. Carving arts are found almost all over the country, performed in woods, stones, silvers, gold or bronzes. Classic and creative artworks enriching the country to become the majestic oriental to be discovered.

The temples, ceremonies, architecture, cultures and religious events in Indonesia can be traced back to the second century, and its scenic displays include vast plains of rice, sugar cane, cassava, coffee, rubber, coral beaches, caves, lakes and lagoons that dispense all the tropical magic you could wish for.