Indonesia: Archipelago of Diversity

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands, is the fourth most populous country and has the largest Muslim population globally. Stretching across three time zones between Asia and Australia, Indonesia encompasses extraordinary linguistic, cultural, and biological diversity.

Indonesia's biodiversity includes orangutans, Komodo dragons (found nowhere else), and countless endemic species. Bali, with its Hindu temples, rice terraces, and beaches, attracts millions of tourists. Java, the most populous island, contains Jakarta, the capital, and ancient Buddhist temple Borobudur. Indonesia's volcanoes, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, shape landscapes and occasionally cause devastating eruptions.

Over 700 languages are spoken across Indonesia, with Bahasa Indonesia serving as the unifying national language. Indonesian cuisine varies by region, with dishes like nasi goreng, satay, and rendang. Indonesia has Southeast Asia's largest economy, with resources including palm oil, coal, and natural gas. The nation balances modernity with traditions across its diverse cultures.