General information about Indonesia
- The Republic of Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17.000 islands, makes Indonesia as the largest archipelagic state. She is strategically located at the crossroad between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and Australia and Asia continents.
- Indonesia is highly diverse, consisting of multiple ethnic identities, cultures and languages. With an estimated 240 million people, it is the fourth largest country in the world, the third most populous democracy and contain the world's largest Muslim population, Indonesia is a perfect synthesis that Islam and democracy can coexist peacefully.
- A former Dutch colony, Indonesia became officially independent on 17 August 1945. Following independence, Indonesia was ruled by successive authoritarian regmies that centralized control of the country. Upon the collapse of military rule in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, a rapid an wide-scale process of reform and decentralization began, reversing the decades long consolidation of central control. Decentralization saw provincial, district and city governments begin to play an increasingly vital role in the delivery
- The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade route and region since the 7th century, when Srivijaya and Majapahit traded with China and India. Further story can be read here at Wikipedia. Further information about Indonesia can be found at the portal of the Republic of Indonesia.
Recent Development
- Indonesia recently attained Middle Income Country status, and is a Member of the G20. It's GDP is US $834 billion, with per capita income of around US $4.700. in general, Indonesia has experienced positive economic performance over the past decade. The country weathered the most recent financial crisis relatively well, and the economy is expected to grow around 6.7% in 2012. Indonesia ranks fourth in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Index in terms of the most rapid improvements in human development.
Fundamental Documents of Indonesia
Indonesia's Presidents
- Ir. Soekarno, 1945-1966
- Soeharto, 1966-1998
- Dr. Ing. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, Dipl. Eng., 1998-1999
- K.H. Abdurrachman Wahid, 1999-2000
- Megawati Soekarnoputri, 2000-2004
- Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, 2004-present.
