Indonesia

Flag

The flag of Indonesia is named Sang Saka Merah-Putih, literally translated as "Red and White Treasure." The red on the upper half of the flag stands for courage and the white on the lower half stands for purity. The flag was used when Indonesia struggled for independence against the Netherlands. In August 1945, during the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, it was finally adopted as the national flag.

Emblem

The bird on the national emblem of Indonesia is the Garuda, a legendary bird in traditional epics that represent Indonesia. The color gold represents the nation's greatness, while black represents nature. The 45 feathers on the neck, 8 on the tail, and 17 on each wings symbolize the date of the proclamation of Indonesian independence, which is August 17, 1945. The escutcheon on the body represents the defence of the country. The five sections inside the escutcheon indicate the Pancasila principles, the foundation philosophy of Indonesia. The golden star, chain, banyan tree, bull, and rice and cotton correspond to "Belief in One Supreme God," "Just and Civilised Humanity," "The Unity of Indonesia," "Democracy that is Guided by the Inner Wisdom in the Unanimity Arising Out of Deliberations Amongst Representatives," and "Social Justice for the Entire People of Indonesia," respectively. The lettering in Old Javanese on the banner reads "Unity in Diversity."

Capital : Jakarta

• Population

  264.16 million
  (2018, IMF)

• Area

  1.9 million ㎢
  (9 times larger than the Korean Peninsula)

• Official name

  Republic of Indonesia

• Climate

  Tropical monsoon climate, high temperature and humidity Average

  annual temperature: 25–28℃ (Jakarta: 32-33℃); humidity: 73–87%

• Religion(s)

  Muslim (87%), Christian (7%), Catholic (3%), Hindu (2%), Buddhist (1%)

• Language(s)

  Indonesian (official language), Javanese, and over 600 indigenous local languages

Indonesia Timeline

• 358
  • Tarumanagara (Hindu Empire)
    Ruled the western parts of Java
• 689
  • Srivijaya (Buddhist Empire)
    Ruled Sumatra, Java, and the Malay Archipelago
• 1292
  • Majapahit (Hindu Empire)
    Built an empire across the former Indonesian territory of today, Malay Archipelago, and the southern Philippines
• 1400
  • Spread of Islam (15th century)
    Established Islam empires in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan coast, Malaka, Bantam, Mataram, and more
• 1602
  • The Dutch established the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
    Commenced colony management
• 1824
  • Colonization of the whole Indonesia under direct control of the Netherlands
• 1942
  • Japanese occupation
• 1945
  • Independence of the Republic of Indonesia and adoption of the constitution Commenced the four years of armed struggle against the Netherlands
• 1949
  • Establishment of the United States of Indonesia
• 1950
  • Converted back to the Republic of Indonesia
• 1965
  • Communist party of Indonesia attempted a coup Suppressed by the Indonesian National Armed Forces
• 1966
  • President Sukarno handed over ruling power to General Suharto
• 1968
  • Suharto inaugurated as president; established a regime with new orders
• 1969
  • Reversion of Irian Jaya
• 1976
  • Annexed East Timor
• 1988
  • With continued insurgency and riots, President Suharto handed over power to Vice President Habibie
• 1999
  • President Wahid and Vice President Megawati elected by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
• 2001
  • The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) removed Wahid from office and swore in Megawati as the new president. Hamzah Haz elected as vice president
• 2002
  • Independence of East Timor
• 2004
  • Instituted the country's first direct presidential election Yudhoyono elected as the 6th president
• 2009
  • Yudhoyono reelected as president
• 2014
  • Jokowi elected as the 7th president
• 2019
  • Jokowi reelected as president