• Indonesia
• Information
• History
• Weather
• When to go
• Good to know
• Culture
• Visa and Passport
• Food
• Nightlife
• Glossary
• Traveler Advice
• Forums

48HourVisit.com

Planning a short visit? Check out 48HourVisit.com, your online guide for short stays and weekend getaways.

Ad

The Glossary

ojek - "motorcycle taxis"

From Indonesia Glossary

In a nutshell

The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia has many contrasting wonders. It is bordered by two oceans (the Indian and the Pacific), its land plunging deep only to rise again into volcanic peaks. The green carpet of rainforest gives way to the white sheet of snow at the Jayavijaya mountain range. Outside the capital of Jakarta, where skyscrapers and neon-lit bars signal its modernity, are hundreds of mosques and temples, the most astonishing of being Borobudur in Java-the country's single most visited attraction.

Cultural melting pot

About 300 ethnic groups comprise Indonesia's 17,508 islands. Each of these tribes has its distinct dialect, ethnicity, cuisine and culture shaped by centuries of trade and colonialism with Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Europeans, and Malays. Traditional Balinese and Javanese dances, for instance, contain fragments of Hinduism, as seen in wayang kulit (shadow puppet) shows. Although Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in terms of population, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Protestant traditions are observed. Bali is a different case since 93 percent of its inhabitants are Hindus. Despite the differences, Indonesians are united by one mother tongue, Bahasa and the motto: "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity).

Land of the dragon and the early human

The second highest biodiversity in the planet (after Brazil) is home to the world's biggest monitor lizard, the komodo, which thrives in Komodo Island. The country's white-sand beaches, dive spots, surfing destinations and wildlife reserves are considered as among the best in the world. Borneo, an island shared with Malaysia, contains the world's last remaining Asian orangutans. Indonesia is also home to the two-million-year-old Java Man or Homo Erectus. Relics of an 18,000-year-old hominid species, fondly called "hobbits," were found in the island of Flores.

User blogs:

Travel and Inspire

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.”  - Jack Kerouac     ... Read full Blog post

Bohol and Cebu.. sweeter the second time

As soon as I found out that my twin brother Dennis is coming for a vacation, I was very excited and so happy that after 15 years of being away from him, I’d be spending time with one of the most important person of my life. The one I grew up with… and not only that, I get to meet the love of his life, Steph. Eventhough Cebu and Bohol will bring me back memories of the good times and bad ... Read full Blog post

Baguio: City of Pines

This is SM City Baguio. The biggest mall in the city. I never imagine to live here in Baguio for a long time. But becuase of studies, I prefer to take my college course here than in Manila. After a two year long of staying in here I am learning to appreciate what Baguio has to offer to its tourists and locals. But seeing its changes from its foundation last 1909, Baguio grew a lot faster ... Read full Blog post