Indonesia Geography

The Republic of Indonesia is situated between the mainland of South-East Asia and Australia and is washed by the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world’s largest archipelago state. Five major islands comprise Indonesia. They are Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Kalimantan (part of the island of Borneo) and Irian Jaya (the western half of New Guinea). There are also about 30 smaller islands. Indonesia bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This fact has always influenced the cultural, social, political and economic life of the country. The landscape of Indonesia varies from high mountains and plateau to coastal lowlands and alluvial belts.