Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state, spanning roughly 1.9 million km² of land across Southeast Asia and Oceania, with neighbours including Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. Jakarta serves as the current capital, though a new capital, Nusantara, is under active development in East Kalimantan. The official language is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), the currency is the Indonesian rupiah, and the country's cultural identity is shaped by hundreds of distinct ethnic groups, languages, and traditions.

Citizens of many countries can enter Indonesia visa-free for short stays, while others are eligible for a Visa on Arrival at major entry points. Indonesia operates an electronic visa system (e-Visa) for nationalities not covered by those arrangements. Travellers should verify their specific eligibility and current conditions through Indonesia's official Directorate General of Immigration before travel, as policies change.

Borobudur, the 9th-century Buddhist stupa in Central Java, is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Bali's Tanah Lot temple sits on a rocky outcrop in the sea along the island's southwest coast. Komodo National Park, spread across several Lesser Sunda Islands, is the only habitat of the Komodo dragon. Raja Ampat archipelago in West Papua contains some of the most biodiverse coral reefs on the planet. Mount Bromo in East Java offers a stark volcanic landscape of ash plains and active craters visited year-round.

Indonesia has a tropical climate throughout, with high humidity and temperatures generally ranging from 25 °C to 35 °C at low elevations year-round. The country experiences two broad seasons: a wet season roughly from October to April and a drier season from May to September. The drier months are generally the most practical for travel to Bali, Java, and the eastern islands. Higher-altitude areas such as Sumatra's Batak highlands or Sulawesi's interior can be noticeably cooler. Light, breathable clothing and rain gear are advisable regardless of season.

• Home to the world's largest Muslim-majority population.
• Over 700 distinct languages are spoken nationally.
• Krakatau volcano erupted catastrophically in 1883.
• Fourth most populous country on earth by total population.
• Rafflesia arnoldii, earth's largest flower, grows here.

• indonesia.travel — official Indonesian tourism board portal
• imigrasi.go.id — Directorate General of Immigration, visa information
• bmkg.go.id — national meteorology, climatology, and geophysics agency
• kominfo.go.id — Ministry of Communication and Information Technology