Indonesians

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Map of the Indonesian Diaspora in the World

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A procession with offerings entering a Hindu temple Bali

Indonesians are the citizens or people who are identified with the country of Indonesia. Indonesia is a Southeast Asian country made up of thousands of volcanic islands, known for its beaches, volcanoes, Komodo dragons, and jungles sheltering elephants, orangutans, and tigers. It is the world's largest island country, with more than seventeen thousand islands, and at 1,904,569 square kilometers, the 14th largest by land area and the 7th largest in combined sea and land area. With over 270 million people, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority country.

Ethnic Groups

Indonesia is ethnically diverse, with over 1,300 distinct native ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group is the Javanese, who comprise 40.1% of the population, and are politically and culturally dominant. The Sundanese, ethnic Malays, and Madurese are the next largest groups in the country. The country's considerable diversity is a result of its complex history and a geography that supports a wide range of cultures and peoples.

Language

The official language is Indonesian, a variant of Malay, which was used in the maritime trading networks of the archipelago for centuries. It was declared the official language upon Indonesia's independence from the Netherlands in 1945. While Indonesian is spoken as a mother tongue by only a small fraction of the population, it is the language of education, government, media, and national business, and is spoken fluently as a second language by many Indonesians alongside their native language.

Religion

Indonesia is constitutionally a secular state with Islam being the dominant religion. Approximately 87% of Indonesians are Muslim, making it the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. Other religions practiced in Indonesia include Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, reflecting the country's diversity.

Culture

Indonesian culture is a fusion of indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences, resulting in a complex cultural mixture very different from the original indigenous cultures. Indonesian art forms include music, dance, and the visual arts, especially painting, sculpture, and batik. The country is known for its traditional puppet theatre styles such as wayang kulit and wayang golek. Indonesian cuisine varies by region and is influenced by Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian precedents.

Economy

Indonesia has a mixed economy in which both the private sector and government play significant roles. The country is a member of the G20, reflecting its status as one of the world's major economies. Its economy is heavily dependent on domestic market and natural resources, and agriculture, manufacturing, and services are significant sectors. Indonesia has abundant natural resources like oil and natural gas, coal, tin, copper, gold, and nickel, while palm oil, tea, coffee, and spices are among its key agricultural products.

Politics

Indonesia is a presidential, democratic republic. It has a multi-party system, with the president serving as both the head of state and government. The president is elected by popular vote and has the authority to appoint a cabinet. The country's legislative body is the People's Consultative Assembly, which consists of two houses: the Regional Representative Council, a senate with representatives from the country's regions, and the People's Representative Council, the legislative body. Indonesia's legal system is based on civil law, influenced by Dutch colonial law, and also incorporates customary law.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 270 million, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. The population is young, with a median age of around 30 years. The population density varies significantly across the country, with the majority living on the island of Java, the most populous island in the world.

Challenges

Indonesia faces several challenges, including political corruption, poverty, terrorism, environmental degradation, and a rapid rate of deforestation. The country is also prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire."

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