Indonesiana

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a nation of about 17,500 islands[2] in South East Asia, and the world's largest archipelagic state. With a population of over 200 million, it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation. With a democratically elected parliament and president, Indonesia is considered the world's third largest democracy (after India and the United States).[3] Its capital is Jakarta, and the country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia and by sea Indonesia neighbours Singapore, The Philippines and Australia.

The Indonesian archipelago, home of the Spice Islands, has been an important trade destination since at least the time of the Srivijaya Kingdom with whom seventh century Chinese sailors traded.[4] Indonesia's history has been influenced by numerous foreign powers that were drawn to the archipelago by its wealth of natural resources; these have included Indians, under whose influence Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished beginning in the early centuries CE, Muslim traders who spread Islam from the thirteenth century,[5] and Europeans who fought for monopolization of the spice trade during the Age of Exploration. A Dutch colonial presence existed in Indonesia for over three centuries; however, Indonesian independence was declared in 1945, which received official international recognition four years later. Indonesia's post-independence history has been turbulent, with political instability including separatism and corruption, periods of rapid economic growth and decline, natural disaster, and a democratization process since 1998.

Indonesia is a unitary state consisting of numerous distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups spread across its numerous islands that have not always been united. However, a shared history of colonialism, rebellion against it, a national language, and a Muslim majority population have helped to define Indonesia as a state and nation.[6] Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika" ("Unity in diversity", derived from Old Javanese), reflects the amalgamation of a myriad cultures, languages, and ethnic groups that shape every aspect of the country.[7] Sectarian tensions and separatism, however, have threatened political stability in some regions, leading to violent confrontations.

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