|
It
is the world's fourth most populous country and the
most populous Muslim-majority nation; however, no reference
is made to Islam in the Indonesian constitution. Indonesia
is a republic, with an elected legislature and president.
The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares
land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia.
Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines,
Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. Across its many islands, Indonesia
consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious
groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically
dominant ethnic group. As a unitary state and a nation,
Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by
a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism
within a majority Muslim population, and a history of
colonialism and rebellion against it.
Across
its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic,
linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the
largest—and the politically dominant—ethnic
group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined
by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious
pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a
history of colonialism including rebellion against it.
Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika"
("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many,
yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes
the country. Despite its large population and densely
populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness
that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity.
The country is richly endowed with natural resources,
yet poverty remains widespread in contemporary Indonesia.
|
