INDONESIA

       

With more than 13600 islands spreading 3000 miles across, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago and home to a myriad of exotic cultures, landscapes, traditions, animals and plants as well as some of the most undiscovered parts of the world. Of its islands, Sumatra is the biggest, followed by Kalimantan, Irian Jaya, Sulawesi and Java. Most of Indonesia lies in the active 'ring of fire belt' meaning the scenery is often dominated by magnificent volcanoes, many of which are still highly active.

  Some 45% of its 220 million people are Javanese while 14% are Sundanese and 7.5% Madurese. Other major groups are the Hindu Balinese and some 6 million resident Chinese. There are also tribal aborigines dominating the island of Irian Jaya. Indonesian culture dates back more than 2000 years when Hindu and Buddhist rulers dominated its main islands.

  Till today, Hindu and Buddhist traditions still play important parts in the culture and customs of the Indonesian people though the majority of them are Muslims. Among its most famous landmark are the Borobodur and the Prambanan temples in Central Java, which are both awarded World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Indonesia is also home to many strange and exotic wild animals that take refuge deep in the forests of the country's' many unexplored islands. Among them are the Obi Cuscus, the strange Maleo bird, Tarsiers and magnificent Birds of Paradise.