Geography
The Republic of Indonesia is in Southeastern Asia between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago consisting of many thousands of islands. The main islands of Indonesia include Bali, Java, Sulawesi and Sumatra. Indonesia's administrative divisions of Kalimantan share Borneo with Malaysia and Brunei, and Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) shares the island of New Guinea with Papua New Guinea.

Jakarta, on the island of Java, is the capital city.

Indonesia's terrain is mainly coastal lowland with mountains on some of the larger islands.

The climate is tropical with high humidity. The rainy season is from October to April.

Environment
The Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra was added to the World Heritage List in 2004. This site comprises of three National Parks: Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Other National Parks on the World Heritage List are Ujung Kulon National Park, Lorentz National Park and Komodo National Park.

Wildlife in Indonesia includes the the one-horned rhinoceros (Java) and the orangutan (Kalimantan and Sumatra), the only great ape living naturally outside Africa. The Komodo National Park is home to the giant lizards known as Komodo dragons. Another interesting lizard found in Indonesia is Draco volans (Flying Dragon) which glides from trees and other high points.

Architecture
Religious buildings on the World Heritage List are the Borobudur Temple Compounds and the Prambanan Temple Compounds.

In 1975 UNESCO assisted with the restoration of the Borobudur Temple and in 1983 the eighth century Buddhist temple was opened to the public. The Prambanan Temple Compounds date from the tenth century. Temples within the compound are dedicated to the Hindu gods, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Population
The population of Indonesia was estimated at 261 million in 2018.

Languages
Bahasa Indonesian is the official language. Local dialects include Javanese. English and Dutch are also spoken.

Religion
Over eighty-five percent of Indonesians are Muslim, others Christian and Hindu (Bali and Lombok).

Food
Cuisines from many countries are available in Indonesia.

Rice, a staple food, is served with vegetables, soybean, chicken and fish. Fish is salted and dried and made into a paste.

Lemongrass, basil, chilli paste, peanut sauce and coconut milk are used in recipes.

Bananas, durians, mangoes, papayas and citrus fruits are grown.

Pancakes are a popular dessert. Green pancakes, often filled with sweet coconut, gain their colour from pandanus leaves.

Drinks include tea, coffee, local beer and rice wine.

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