About Indonesia

At a glance

Capital city:	Jakarta (population 9.2 million)
Population:	242.9 million
Language:	Indonesian
Currency:	IDR
Time zone:	(GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
Electricity:	Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth) Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)
Dialing code:	+62

Best time to visit Indonesia

Indonesia’s close proximity to the equator ensures consistently hot and humid weather in all seasons; however, its tropical climate means many areas are prone to periods of heavy rainfall. The wet season takes place from May to October and flooding can make road travel difficult at times. Popular holiday spots like Bali tend to receive large crowds during Christmas and school holidays but are significantly less crowded in shoulder seasons. Also worth keeping in mind are Indonesia’s various religious holidays. With a large population of practising Muslims, Ramadan results in the closure of many services, so expect a quieter experience when travelling during Ramadan.

Geography and environment

An archipelago of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia works its way across several oceans, beginning with the island of Sumatra in the West and stretching to Irian Jaya in the East. In between, Indonesia includes a sizeable part of Borneo, as well as larger islands such as Java, Bali and Sulawesi. With such a broad selection of islands, Indonesia encompasses a variety of landscapes such as: thick tropical jungle, fertile rice fields, grasslands and volcanic mountain ranges. Indonesia’s ecosystems are full of a rich variety of flora and fauna including the very rare Sumatran tiger and elephant, the Javan rhino and the fierce Komodo Dragon. Indonesia is also famous for its incredible beaches and marine life. With thousands of kilometres of reefs, beaches, bays and lagoons, Indonesia is a diver's paradise.