Land of a thousand islands
Indonesia, often referred to as the "Land of a Thousand Islands", is an archipelago that occupies a prominent place in the geographical and cultural landscape of Southeast Asia. Bordering Malaysia in northern Borneo and Papua New Guinea in central New Guinea, it stands out as the world's largest archipelago, stretching over a distance comparable to that between London and Moscow. In fact, if you were to visit a different island every day in Indonesia, it would take you almost 50 years to see them all!
Scattered across the vastness of the Indian and Pacific oceans, Indonesia is made up, according to the latest official count, of more than 17,000 islands, ranging from tiny islets to imposing land masses like Sumatra and Java. Among these treasures, five islands stand out for their importance: Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan (Indonesian part of Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes) and Papua (Indonesian part of New Guinea). Java, the most densely populated, is the beating heart of Indonesia with over 145 million inhabitants, and is home to Jakarta, the capital, as well as cultural gems such as the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Sumatra is Indonesia's largest island, stretching from the northwest to the southeast of the archipelago. Its tropical forests, notably those of Gunung Leuser National Park and Kerinci Seblat National Park, are world-renowned biodiversity reserves. Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo (the4th largest island in the world), is famous for its dense forests, rivers and rich wildlife, including orangutans. The island of Sulawesi, also known as Celebes, is known for its "K" shape and biodiversity. It is made up of four large peninsulas and is home to unique species thanks to its isolated evolution. Finally, Indonesian Papua is divided into two provinces: Papua and West Papua. It covers an area of around 785,753 km2, making it the country's largest province, and is home to an incredibly rich flora and fauna, many species of which are endemic to the island. Bali, meanwhile, is the queen of tourism, charming over 6 million visitors a year with its bewitching beaches and lush tropical forests. It lies between the islands of Java and Lombok.
Indonesia's geography is intrinsically linked to its tectonic position. It lies at the convergence of two major tectonic plates: the Eurasian Plate and the Indo-Australian Plate. This location places it directly on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an area known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity. For thousands of years, the movement of these tectonic plates has led to the formation of islands through volcanic activity and sedimentary deposits, and continues to shape the archipelago dynamically.
Yet despite the vastness of the archipelago, only a fraction of the islands are inhabited. Many islands, because of their isolation, remain devoid of transport or supply infrastructures, thus retaining their pristine character. For example, Papua, the largest island with a surface area of 785,753 square kilometers, remains a largely unexplored territory, attracting mainly intrepid adventurers.
Sleeping giants
Indonesia is remarkable for its constellation of volcanoes, an essential component of the Pacific "Ring of Fire". This geological chain includes some 130 active volcanoes, making up a dynamic and formative element of the national landscape. Mount Bromo, located in the center of the island of Java, is particularly emblematic. Characterized by a vast, arid plateau reminiscent of a lunar landscape, it is frequently shrouded in morning mist, providing a spectacular visual aesthetic. The local population, deeply attached to this geoformation, commemorates its importance during the Yadnya Kasada festival, when offerings are placed in the volcano's crater, symbolizing wishes for prosperity and protection.
Similarly, Krakatoa, located between the islands of Java and Sumatra, is remembered as one of the most destructive volcanoes to date. Its eruption in 1883 caused the island itself to disintegrate, producing a sound so violent it was heard thousands of kilometers away. The sound intensity of this detonation was estimated at nearly 310 decibels, setting a record as the most powerful acoustic phenomenon ever documented. The eruption also caused a catastrophic tsunami, resulting in the death of at least 36,000 people.
If you're planning a visit to Indonesia, volcanoes are more than just a tourist attraction. In fact, they are an integral part of local daily life. These majestic peaks are often in "standby mode", quietly belching sulphurous fumes. So don't be surprised if you see clouds of ash in the distance; it's quite common here and can sometimes even affect flight schedules.
Every year, there's always at least one volcano in the news, moving from a state of somnolence to more lively activity. For example, the eruption of Mount Semeru in December 2021, the highest peak on the island of Java, was particularly spectacular. That's part of the thrill and appeal of visiting such a geologically active country. So make sure you've got your camera handy and your adventurous spirit sharpened!
An ocean paradise
A vast archipelago, Indonesia owes its nickname to the omnipresence of water: " Tanah Air Kita ", which means "Our land and our water" Communication remains a major challenge in this archipelago. According to author Pramoedia Ananta, the key to overcoming Indonesia's economic and political challenges lies in modernizing its maritime transport network, which could strengthen links between the various islands. Although densely populated islands lack major rivers, in regions such as Kalimantan and Papua, rivers are the main arteries of communication, crossing expanses of mostly tropical forest to connect different places.
Indonesia's maritime geography, representing approximately 62% of its total territory, is an essential component of its physiography. As the world's largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is framed by major bodies of water: the China Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west. It also has seven distinct seas - including the Java, Banda, Bali, Flores, Timor, Celebes and Arafura Seas - as well as two strategic straits, the Makassar and Malacca Straits. The country's coastal areas, covering some 55,000 km, boast a remarkable ecological diversity, combining lush mangroves and heavenly sandy beaches.
This vast maritime territory is home to an extraordinary biodiversity, including approximately 20% of the world's coral reefs.
Indonesia's oceanographic configuration is therefore of crucial importance, not only for local ecosystems, but also for the biological balance of the world's oceans and seas. This wealth imposes a heavy responsibility in terms of sustainable management and conservation, particularly in the face of current environmental challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution and the degradation of marine habitats.
Between tropical forests and snow-capped peaks
After Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia ranks third in terms of primary tropical forest area, covering more than 840,000 square kilometers. It is also home to the world's largest expanse of tropical peatlands, covering a remarkable 14.9 million hectares. In addition, the country is home to the world's most extensive mangroves, occupying an area of 3.31 million hectares. These natural wonders don't just dazzle; they play a crucial role in capturing and storing large quantities of carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. They are also vital to the well-being and sustainable development of Indonesian communities. But all is not rosy. Agricultural expansion, particularly palm oil plantations, is putting these natural treasures at risk. Forest fires, often induced by irresponsible agricultural practices, also threaten these ecological sanctuaries. National parks such as Gunung Leuser in Sumatra and Tanjung Puting in Borneo are attempting to counter these threats, but the battle is far from won.
Finally, Indonesia is home to several vertiginous peaks, three of which stand out, all in Papua. Puncak Jaya, with its icy crown despite its equatorial latitude, is the highest tropical mountain on the planet. This Papuan colossus is part of the famous "Seven Summits" mountaineering challenge, and dominates Oceania with an altitude of 4,884 meters. Yes, that's right, a snow-capped peak in a tropical land - a true geographical oxymoron! Not far behind, Sumantri peaks at 4,870 metres, closely followed by Ngga Pulu at 4,862 metres. All in all, these dazzling peaks are the perfect illustration of the striking contrasts and geographical richness that Indonesia has to offer.
