Indonesia
is the world’s largest archipelago. After the New Order
Era has ended in 1998, the face of Indonesia has been changed.
The whole nation has to face the economic turbulence and crisis
everywhere. On the order hand, freedom of the press and freedom
of speech are developing. People are more aware and critical
about social, economical and political situation. This is
a part of a learning curve about democratization.
Conflicts between religions or ethnic groups were heating-up
in several regions, such as in Aceh, Maluku, and Poso. Tourists
from all over the world postpone their visit to Indonesia,
because they had watched the news that covered the looting
and the riots of our beautiful country. It is painstakingly
to face this reality, because with the incoming tourists,
it could increase the economy of these people.
Actually, there are lots of beautiful places, which are safe
to visit. If we see the map of Indonesia, this country consists
of many islands for more than 17,000 islands spread across
5,120 km of the tropical ocean. Indonesia’s position
is between Asia and Australia and this country is as wide
as the European continent. Fourth-fifths of the area is occupied
by the sea, with the major islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi and Papua. Even Papua and Kalimantan rank as the
second and third largest island in the world after Greenland.
This country is the world’s 14th largest nation.
Unity
in Diversity
250-300
ethnic groups live in this country. Most of them have their
own language and dialects, but Bahasa Indonesia is the national
language and is spoken throughout the archipelago. The major
ethnic groups are: Minangkabaunese, Malay, Javanese, Sundanese,
Maduranese, Balinese, Buginese, Makassarese, Minahasan and
Ambonnese. Besides these ethnic groups, other races such as
Arabs, Chinese, and Indians living side by side with the local
people.
Major ethnic groups in Sumatra are Acehnese, Minangkabaunese,
Batak and Malay. More than 200 Dayak tribes live in the island
of Kalimantan. They are the true ‘people of the jungle’.
Buginese , Makassarese, and Toraja live in Sulawesi.
Islam is the largest religion in the nation, following with
Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddha and Confucianism. Since
2001, the government has opened the door for Chinese cultural
influences since being banned in 1965.
The
Nature
Java and Bali have the most fertile islands and rice plantations
are concentrated in these two regions, whereas Sumatra, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua are the place of the tropical rainforest,
and open savannah grassland is in the Nusa Tenggara.
Indonesia’s tropical climate tends to be very humid.
Rainy season will be around on October to April and dry season
will be on April to October. Volcanoes dominate the landscape
in many islands and about 70 still remains active.
Various animal species comes from three different sources.
Asian mammals are from the west, Australian marsupial species
and birds are from the east and the endemic species are in
the middle of the archipelago. Orangutans, tigers, one horned
rhinos, elephants, dugongs, anoas, komodo dragons are the
proud of Indonesia. Besides on land, deep down the sea, there
are more than hundred marine species as a part of the archipelago’s
treasure. Local people together with the government and international
organization have contributed to preserve the diversity of
the flora and fauna, by developing national parks throughout
the nation.
IMMIGRATION
All
visitors to Indonesia must be in possession of passports valid
for at least six months with proof of onward passage, either
return or through tickets.
Visas are required except for the nationals of Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Darussalam, Canada,
Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldive, Malta,
Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zeeland, Norway,
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great
Britain), United Arab Emirates, Unites States of America,
Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA/M passports.
The visa requirement is also waived from other nationals from
friendly countries, attending a conference which has received
official approval.
Visa free entry is for maximum od 60 days and is not extendable.
Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia
(Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing
(Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung),
Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar),
Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak), Sepinggan (Balikpapan),
Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanuddin (Ujung
Pandang), Selaparang (Mataram) and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak),
and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang
(Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang),
Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung
(North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku) and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan).
There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan.
For other port of arrival or departure, visitors must have
visas.
For other, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained from
any Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required
and a small fee is charged.
HEALTH
International
certificates of valid small-pox, cholera and yellow vaccinations
are required only from travelers coming from infected areas.
CUSTOMS
Customs
allow on entry a maximum of one litre of alcoholic beverages,
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a
reasonable amount of perfume per adult.
Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders,
binoculars and sport equipment are admitted provided they
are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs.
Prohibited are firearms, narcotic drugs, pornography, transceivers
and cordless telephones. For the Chinese traditional medicines
must be registered by Depkes RI. Films, pre-recorded video
tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreigh currencies
and travelers cheques, however, the import and export of Indonesia
currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited.
AIRPORT
TAX
An
airport tax of Rp. 100,000 is levied by the airport authority
for travellers on international routes and Rp. 20,000 for
those on domestic routes.
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