Indonesia Country & Tourist Information

Location
South-East Asia.

Area
1,922,570 million sq km (742,308 sq miles).

Population
237 million (2008 estimate).

Population Density
123 per sq km.

Capital
Jakarta (Java).
Population: 13.2 million.

Government
Republic. Declared independence from The Netherlands in 1945.

Language
Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. Altogether, there are an estimated 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. The older generation still speaks Dutch as a second language and English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Religion
There is a Muslim majority of approximately 90%, with Christian, Hindu (mainly in Bali) and Buddhist minorities.

Time
GMT + 7 (West) in Sumatra, Java and Western Borneo; GMT + 8 (Central) in Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, Bali and Eastern Borneo; GMT + 9 (East) in Papua and Maluku.

Electricity
220/250 volts AC, 50Hz but 110 volts is still used in some areas. Plugs used are European-style with two circular metal pins.

Head of State
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono since 2004.

Recent History
In 2004, Indonesia's first-ever direct presidential elections saw Megawati Sukarnoputri replaced by the new president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The president has identified the fight against terrorism as a key challenge. In 2005, Yudhoyono's administration won international acclaim for signing a peace deal with separatist rebels in Aceh province and successful elections were held in December 2006 to elect a governor.

In April 2008 the government put West Papua province on equal footing with the province of Papua, the former having been split from Papua in 2003.

Telephone
Country code: 62 (followed by 22 for Bandung, 361 for Bali, 21 for Jakarta, 61 for Medan and 31 for Surabaya). Many hotel lobbies have public phones which take credit cards and phone cards. State-operated phone booths or offices (Telkom) and privately-owned companies (wartel, warpostel or warparpostel), which work on a pay-as-you-leave basis, can be found in towns and cities throughout the country.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage may be limited to main towns and cities.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist destinations.

Media
Media freedom increased considerably after the end of President Suharto's rule in 1998, during which the now-defunct Ministry of Information monitored and controlled domestic media and restricted foreign media.

Post
Airmail to western Europe, the USA and Australia takes about 10 days. An express service is available.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1300 (hours may be longer in city centers).

Press
• Kompas and Pos Kota are mass-circulation dailies.
• English-language newspapers include The Jakarta Post and the weekly Tempo magazine.

Radio
• Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) is a public broadcaster that operates six national networks, regional and local stations, and the external service, Voice of Indonesia.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Jan Chinese New Year.
26 Mar Nyepi (Hindu New Year). 
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 
10 Apr Good Friday.
8 May Waisak Day (Buddha's Birthday).
21 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
20 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
14 Feb Chinese New Year.
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
16 Mar Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
2 Apr Good Friday.
28 Apr Waisak Day (Buddha's Birthday).
13 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
9 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Islamic New Year.
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.

Note
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and so if dates are given above, they are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur.

Contact Information:

Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of Indonesia
Sapta Pesona Building, Jalal Medan Merdeka Barat 17, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 383 8167.
Website: www.budpar.go.id

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the UK
38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, UK
Consular section: 38A Adam's Row, London W1X 9AD, UK
All post should be addressed to 38 Grosvenor Square.
Tel: (020) 7499 7661.
Website: www.indonesianembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (general and tourist enquiries); 1000-1300 (visa applications) and 1430-1600 (visa collections).

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the USA
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 775 5200.
Website: www.embassyofindonesia.org


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