Geography

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with the total number of 17,508 islands according to the Indonesian Naval Hydro-Oceanographic office. The archipelago is on a crossroads between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian ocean, and bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This strategic position has always influenced the cultural, social, political and economic life of the country.

The territory of the Republic of Indonesia stretches from 6008' north latitude to 11015' south latitude, and from 94045' to 141005' east longitude. The Indonesian sea area is four times greater than its land area, which is about 1.9 million sq. km. The sea area is about 7.9 million sq. km (including an exclusive economic zone) and constitutes about 81% of the total area of the country.

The five main islands are: Sumatra, which is about 473,606 sq.km in size; the most fertile and densely populated islands. Java/ Madura. 132.107 sq. km; Kalimantan, which comprises two-thirds of the island of Borneo and measures 539.460 sq.km; Sulawesi. 189.216 sq.km; and Papua, 421,981 sq.km which is part of the world's second largest island: New Guinea. Indonesia's other islands are smaller in size.

The archipelago is divided into three groups. The islands of Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, and the small islands in-between, lie on the Sunda Shelf which begin on the coasts of Malaysia and Indo China, where the sea depth docs not exceed 700 feet. Papua which is part of the island of New Guinea, and the Aru Islands lie on the Sahul Shelf, which stretches northwards from the Australian coast. Here the sea depth is similar to that of the Sunda Shelf.

Located between these two shelves is the island group of Nusatenggara. Maluku and Sulawesi, where the sea depth reaches 15,000 feet. Coastal plains have been developed around the islands of Sumatra. Java. Kalimantan and Papua.

The land area is generally covered by thick tropical rain forests, where fertile soils are continuously replenished by volcanic eruptions like those on the island of Java.

The country is predominantly mountainous with some 400 volcanoes, of which 100 are active. Mountains higher than 9.000 feet are found on the islands of Sumatra (Mt. Leuser and Mt. Kerinci), Java (Mt. Gede. Mt. Tangkubanperahu, Mt. Ciremai, Mt. Kawi. Mt. Kelud, Mt. Semeru and Mt. Raung), Sulawesi (Mt. Lompobatang and Mt. Rantekombala), Bali (Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung), Lombok (Mt. Rinjani) and Sumbawa (Mt. Tambora). The highest mountain is the perpetually snow-capped Mandala Peak (15.300 feet) in the Jaya Wijaya mountain range of Papua.

Many rivers flow throughout the country. They serve as useful transportation routes on certain islands, for example, the Musi, Batanghari, Indragiri and Kampar rivers in Sumatra: the Kapuas, Barito. Mahakarn and Rejang rivers in Kalimantan: and the Memberamo and Digul rivers in Papua. In Java rivers are important for irrigation purposes, i.e. the Bengawan Solo, Citarum and Brantas rivers.

A number of islands are dotted with scenic lakes, like the Toba, Maninjau and Singkarak lakes in Sumatra; the Tempe, Towuti, Sidenreng, Poso. Limboto. Tondano, and Matana lakes in Sulawesi; and the Paniai and Sentani lakes in Papua.