The Islands of Indonesia
Indonesia is a unique archipelago country. It stretches along the equator, and its southern islands are standing exactly along the ring of fires where hundreds active volcanoes reside and ready to be awakened anytime. The unique features of this country makes it full of excitements, thanks to its widely varied geographical structures, ocean and sea barriers, and particular location.
Five big islands and thousands small others
Although the listed number is varied in different surveys, Indonesia has been confirmed to be the largest or the biggest archipelago in the world, with around 18.000 islands scattered within its territory. Among those islands, these five major islands are the most well-known: Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and West Papua. Besides those infamous main islands, there many more small islands which gain their reputation among savvy travelers. Let’s say Bali as one of the samples, which has been a second home to many (from all around the globe) and an international melting pot for generations.
Different people with different languages
Living in thousands of different islands with sea barriers and mountainous area to settle in, the people of Indonesia are unsurprisingly different. They live different ways of life. They believe in different faith. They share different cultures and traditions. This fact makes Indonesian society uniquely bind into each other as people in the communities complete and support each other. Another unique fact is, these people of Indonesia speak hundreds of different languages (languages, not dialect). Some may be have close relation to each other (as in Javanese and Balinese), but most of them are completely different languages. That’s when Indonesia language takes its important role as lingua franca among the Indonesians. A language easily picked up by people, adapted to their own cultural roots, and understood as a bridge of communication when the local language failed.
Three time zones in Indonesia
Traveling within Indonesia area can be a bit tricky when it comes to time. Indonesia territory is divided into three regional time zone: Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), Central Indonesia Time (WITA), and Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Therefore, whenever you plan to have a meeting or traveling across the country, make sure that you’ve adjusted your watch or phone time settings in accordance with your travel destination.
How long have you been living in Indonesia? What are other interesting facts you’ve figured out about Indonesian islands and its people? Leave your comment!