Stretching between the Australian and Asian continental mainlands and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator lay the exotic islands that make up Indonesia.

 

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago (the world’s largest), as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands of which only about 6,000 are inhabited.

 

Five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagoes are home to the majority of the population. The main islands are Sumatra,  Kalimantan,  Sulawesi,  Irian Jaya  and last but not least Java, home to 70 percent of the country's population.  Indonesia shares Irian Jaya with Papua New Guinea and two thirds of the island of Kalimantan with Malaysia and Borneo.

 

Indonesia is at the heart of the triangle of the world's greatest marine biodiversity, boasting more amazing diving destinations than anywhere else on earth. Not only is diving in Indonesia on every semi-serious diver's 'Must do' list but there are also many great places for less experienced but no less enthusiastic divers. Areas like Komodo and Raja Ampat are becoming known as among the world's best live-aboard destinations, adding to places such as Sulawesi and Wakatobi which are already established as world class.

 

Indonesia also offers many delights for non-divers. Visitors can marvel at the spectacular Prambanan temples in Java: enjoy ancient music while watching traditional dancers in spectacular costume: visit animated floating markets: experience a close ecounter with the famous Kamodo dragons, spend time with enigmatic orangutans in their natural habitat: hike volcanic cones, forests and mountains.

Visual Tour: Indonesia

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