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The name Indonesia was derived from "indos nesos", meaning islands near India, The country is in fact the largest archipelago in the world with a thousand islands, 17,508 to be precise, spread in an area between the Asian continent and Australia, and between the Pacific and the Indian oceans.
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The islands are inhabited by many tribes with diverse culture and languages, although there is a national language spoken throughout the country, namely Bahasa Indonesia. It is thus appropriate, that the country's motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means: Unity in Diversity. Our state philosophy is Pancasila, or the Five Principles. This year is the country's fiftieth anniversary of independence.
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| Area |
1,904,000 sq km |
| Land Area |
1,010,443 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical |
| Average temperature |
21 - 33 oC |
| Mean annual rainfall |
700 mm |
| Population |
216 million (growth rate 1.5%) |
| Capital city |
Jakarta (pop 9.3 million) |
| People |
There are 365 ethnic and tribal groups. The principal ones are Acehnese, Bataks, Minangkabaus (Sumatra); Javanese, Sundanese (Java); Balinese (Bali); Sasaks (Lombok); and Dani (Irian Jaya) |
| Language |
Bahasa Indonesia (plus 583 dialects), English |
| Religion |
87% Muslim, 9% Christian, 2% Hindu |
| Life expectancy |
62 years |
| GDP |
US$67 billion |
| GDP per head |
US$550 |
| Annual growth |
-4% |
| Inflation |
0.02% |
| Major products/industries |
Oil, gas, textiles, timber, coffee, rubber, coal, tin, copper, rice, pepper, palm oil |
| Major trading partners |
Japan, USA, Singapore |
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| (Source http://www.tourismindonesia.com) |
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| Travelling To Indonesia |
| Entering Indonesia
Nationals of Israel will be refused entry unless they have applied to the Immigration Office in Indonesia, prior to travelling, to obtain a special permit.
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all.
Visas
The Indonesia Minister of Justice and Human Rights has announced that the VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA) will be introduced on February 01, 2004 for foreign visitors arriving by air in Jakarta (SOE-HAT), Bali (Ngurah Rai), Medan (Polonia), Manado (Sam Ratulangi), Surabaya (Juanda), and Padang (Tabing), as well as sea ports of Batam, Tanjung Priok, Belawan, Jayapura, Benoa, and Tanjung Perak. In short VoA eligible visitors will pay an entry fee upon arrival.
The Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) is required for nationals of 20 countries and one Administrative District:
The nationals of the United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, Taiwan, Austria, Belgium, Egypt, India, Ireland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, People's Republic of China, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Spain will be able to apply for a VoA valid for either 3 or 30 days upon arrival in Indonesia. A 7-day visa will cost $USD10 while a 30-day visa will cost $USD25.
The 11 countries that retain visa-free status and need not purchase a VoA are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Chile, Morocco, Peru, and Vietnam.
Citizens of countries not on the VoA or Visa Free lists are required to apply for a visa at the nearest Indonesian embassy, consulate or foreign mission.
Process for Obtaining a Visa on Arrival (VoA)
Visitors from countries with Visa-On-Arrival status will go to new 'VoA Counters' to have their passports stamped with the on-arrival visa before going to the Immigration Clearance Desk. An official bank will be attached in the VoA counters. Payment can only be made in US dollar bank notes or Indonesian Rupiahs equivalent. Payment by Credit-Card is under discussion and to be determined. In the bigger airports, like Jakarta and Bali, several rows of VoA counters will be provided.
Overstaying your Visa? - DON'T!
Overstaying a tourist visa (or any visa) is a serious offence in Indonesia. Fines, blacklisting, confinement and deportation are all possible penalties for infractions. Please take this seriously! If you inadvertently overstay your visa go immediately to an immigration office, once you realize it, and explain the circumstances. Delaying the report will only make the situation worse. There are only a few
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