Indonesia...
Stats...
Overview:
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; the islands
were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its
independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of
intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the
Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the world's largest
archipelagic state. Current issues include: alleviating widespread poverty,
preventing terrorism, continuing the transition to popularly-elected
governments after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing reforms of
the banking sector, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, and
holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations.
Indonesia has been dealing with armed separatist movements in Aceh and in
Papua.
Population: 241,973,879
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific
Ocean
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
Total Area: 1,919,440 sq km
Land Area: 1,826,440 sq km
Comparative Area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Capital:
Jakarta
National holiday:
Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
More Indonesia Facts...