Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world and Southeast Asia's largest economy. It is spread across a chain of thousands of islands between Asia and Australia.
With more than 300 regional languages, it has a very diverse ethnic population. Hunter-gatherers in the countryside coexist with an urban elite of the present.
Before the Dutch arrived and colonized the archipelago, there were sophisticated kingdoms. The Dutch eventually renounced their colonial rule in 1949.
Despite facing demands for independence in several provinces and an increase in attacks by armed Islamist groups, Indonesia has emerged as one of the world's leading emerging economies.
- with capital letters. Jakarta.
- Area:. 1,904,569 sq km.
- Population:. 275.2 million.
- Languages:. regional tongues in addition to Indonesian.
- Typical lifespan: 68 years for men and 72 years for women.
Joko Widodo is the leader.
One of a new breed of politicians that emerged in the developing democracy, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, won the elections in July 2014.
Because of his humble upbringing—he was a furniture maker and his father sold wood—many people believed he was largely untainted by the country's pervasive corruption and in touch with ordinary Indonesians.
Since taking office, he has concentrated on advancing infrastructure, economic expansion, and a comprehensive health and education program. He defeated Prabowo Subianto in his reelection bid in 2019 for a second five-year term.
Although television is still the dominant medium, online media are catching up.
The most active Twitter users worldwide are from Indonesia, and Facebook is enormously popular.
Because of laws governing online content and blasphemy, according to Reporters Without Borders, many journalists self-censor.
Dates that are significant in Indonesian history include:.
1670-1900. - Dutch colonists establish the Dutch East Indies, a single political entity that governs all of Indonesia.
1942 . – Japan controls the Dutch East Indies.
1949 . Following four years of guerrilla fighting, the Dutch recognize Indonesian independence. The leader is Sukarno.
1950s. - Maluku (Moluccas) renounces Indonesia and launches an unsuccessful secessionist campaign.
1962 . - West Papua, controlled by the Netherlands, is handed over to the UN's administration and subsequently occupied by Indonesian forces.
1963-66. - The Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, also known as Konfrontasi; an armed conflict between Malay, British, and Commonwealth forces and Indonesian troops that started because Indonesia was against the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. The conflict is resolved in 1966 after Indonesian president Sukarno is ousted from office.
1965. - Failed coup: Thousands of suspected Communists are killed in a leftist purge that turns into vigilantism as a result.
1966. - General Suharto receives emergency powers from Sukarno and takes office as president in March 1967.
1969. - Indonesia formally incorporated West Papua.
1975. - Portugal grants East Timor independence. The following year, Indonesia invades and takes control of it as a province.
1997. - Indonesian rupiah value falls as a result of the Asian financial crisis. The following year, Suharto is overthrown by protests and rioting.
1999. In Indonesia, free elections are held. After declaring independence, East Timor is placed under UN control.
2002 . 202 people, the majority of them tourists, are killed in a jihadist bombing in Bali's Kuta Beach nightclub district.
2004 . – The very first direct presidential elections.
2004 . December - A strong undersea earthquake off Sumatra causes enormous tidal waves, leaving more than 220,000 people dead or missing in just Indonesia. Communities in the Indian Ocean are destroyed as far away as Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Somalia.
