About Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the largest archipelagos in the world that has 17,508 islands, situated between 6 degrees northern latitude and 11 degrees southern latitude and spreading from 97 degrees to 141 degrees eastern longitude and it is located between two continents – Asia and Australia/Oceania. This strategic position greatly influences the country’s culture, social, politics and economy.

Stretching along 3,977 miles between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Indonesia has a total area of 1.9 million square miles including the ocean waters.

The Flag of Indonesia
The Indonesian national flag is called "Sang Saka Merah Putih." As provided for in Article 35 of the 1945 Constitution, the flag is made up of two colors, red on top of white. Its width is two-thirds of its length, or two meters by three meters. It is hoisted in front of the presidential palace, of government buildings and Indonesian missions abroad. The first flag was courageously flown amidst Japanese occupation forces on the day Indonesia's independence was proclaimed. Since then it has been hoisted at independence day commemorations in front of the presidential palace in the capital city of Jakarta. This historical flag, or "bendera pusaka," was flown for the last time on August 17, 1968. Since then it has been preserved and replaced by a replica woven of pure Indonesian silk.

Color Symbolism
Indonesia's national flag was officially adopted on August 17, 1945, after its independence from the Netherlands. The national flag of Indonesia is also known as Sang Merah Putih in Indonesia. The Indonesia Flag consists of two equal horizontal bars. The horizontal bicolor flag of Indonesia has a red bar on the top side, and white bar on the bottom. The red color of the flag of Indonesia represents human blood or body and the white color interprets the human spirit. The Indonesia's flag is patterned after the 13th century banner of the Indonesian Empire.

Climate
The main variable of Indonesia's climate is not temperature or air pressure, but rainfall. The almost uniformly warm waters that make up 81 % of Indonesia's area ensure that temperatures on land remain fairly constant. Split by the equator, the archipelago is almost entirely tropical in climate, with the coastal plains averaging 28 °C, the inland and mountain areas averaging 26 °C, and the higher mountain regions, 23 °C. The area's relative humidity ranges between 70 and 90 %. Winds are moderate and generally predictable, with monsoons usually blowing in from the south and east in June through September and from the northwest in December through March.

The National Anthem

“Great Indonesia"

Indonesia my native land, the land where I shed my blood.
There I stand, being a soldier of my mother.
Indonesia my nationality, my nation and my country.
Let us exclaim "United Indonesia!"
Live my land, live my state,
My nation, my people, all.
Build its spirit, build its bodies
For Great Indonesia!

Great Indonesia, independent and free,
My land, my country, which I love.
Great Indonesia, independent and free,
Live Great Indonesia!

Indonesia, an eminent country, our wealthy country.
There we shall be forever.
Indonesia, the country of our ancestors, a relic of all of us.
Let us pray for Indonesia's prosperity.
May her soil be fertile and spirited her soul,
The nation and all the people.
Conscious be her heart and her mind
For Indonesia the Great!

Indonesia, a sacred country, our victorious country.
There we stand, guarding our true Mother.
Indonesia, a beaming country, a country we love with all our heart.
Let's make a vow, "Indonesia be there forever!"
Blessed be her people and her sons,
All her islands, and her seas.
Fast be the country's progress and the progress of her youth

For Indonesia the Great!.

Indonesia Raya" or the "Great Indonesia" in English is the national anthem of Indonesia. Adopted on 1945 the national anthem of Indonesia was written and the music was given by Wage Rudolf Soepratman.