Transcript Indonesia
Indonesia (The Republic of Indonesia) • The flag of Indonesia has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white • Red symbolizes courage • White represents purity. Capital is Jakarta. Early History • During the Age of Exploration, the Dutch took control of the islands that make up Indonesia. • They were colonized and their spices and other natural resources—rubber—were harvested and sent back to Europe. • Indonesia got its independence in 1949. Government • The government of Indonesia is a republic. • Indonesia is the world’s 3rd largest democracy. Executive branch •President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono •President elected by general vote Legislative branch • Bicameral—has an upper and lower house • Representatives are elected by general vote Judicial branch • Judges are appointed, not elected Religion and Ethic Groups Religious Groups include • Muslim 86.1% • Protestant 5.7% • Roman Catholic 3% • Hindu 1.8% • other or unspecified 3.4% Ethnic Groups include • Javanese 40.6% • Sundanese 15% • Other smaller groups 44% Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population! Languages include • Bahasa Indonesian (official, modified form of Malay) • English • Dutch • local dialects (the most widely spoken of which is Javanese) Economy • Indonesia has a market economy. • Major Industry – petroleum and natural gas – textiles & apparel – footwear – mining – cement – chemical fertilizers – plywood – rubber – tourism • Natural Resources – petroleum – tin – natural gas – nickel – timber – bauxite – copper – coal – gold & silver Geography & Climate Climate • tropical; hot, humid • more moderate in highlands Geography • mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains • archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited) • straddles equator • strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean Environmental Issues • • • • • deforestation water pollution from industrial wastes sewage air pollution in urban areas smoke and haze from forest fires • Literacy Rate – Total 90.4% – Male 94% – Female 86.8% • GDP – $4,000 per capita • Below Poverty Level – 17.8% • Life Expectancy – Total 71 – Male 68.5 – Female 73.7 • Population 242,968,342 • 4th largest population in world