Southeast Asia and the world’s largest archipelago: Over 240 million Indonesians inhabit over 18.000 islands, spanning three time zones. 300 languages are spoken, although the lingua franca Bahasa Indonesia, is spoken by almost everybody. Indonesia bore the grunt of over 350 years of colonization by the Dutch. Japanese occupation during World War II ended Dutch rule, but subsequently took over the reins, resulting in four million casualties as a result of famine and forced labor. Two days after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, Sukarno, an influential nationalist leader, declared independence and was appointed president. The Netherlands tried to reestablish their rule, and an armed and diplomatic struggle ended in December 1949, when in the face of international pressure, the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence. The island of Java is the most densely populated, its large, hectic cities attracting labor migrants from far and wide. Bali, the small Hinduistic island to the west of Java, is the main port of call for most tourists. Capital: Jakarta Population: 240 million State religion: Islam Languages: Bahasa Indonesia Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (RP)
Indonesia
Southeast Asia and the world’s largest archipelago: Over 240 million Indonesians inhabit over 18.000 islands, spanning three time zones. 300 languages are spoken, although the lingua franca Bahasa Indonesia, is spoken by almost everybody. Indonesia bore the grunt of over 350 years of colonization by the Dutch. Japanese occupation during World War II ended Dutch rule, but subsequently took over the reins, resulting in four million casualties as a result of famine and forced labor. Two days after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, Sukarno, an influential nationalist leader, declared independence and was appointed president. The Netherlands tried to reestablish their rule, and an armed and diplomatic struggle ended in December 1949, when in the face of international pressure, the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence. The island of Java is the most densely populated, its large, hectic cities attracting labor migrants from far and wide. Bali, the small Hinduistic island to the west of Java, is the main port of call for most tourists. Capital: Jakarta Population: 240 million State religion: Islam Languages: Bahasa Indonesia Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (RP)
Lake Toba, Sumatra’s Gem!
By: Isaac Olson
Coming across the words, “supervolcano” and “largest known explosive eruption anywhere on Earth in the last 25 million years” were enough to spark my interest in Lake Toba. Then again, I’m a little childish in my love of giant explosions.
I came across the above words on Wikipedia after trying to figure out what there was to see and do around Medan, Indonesia and northern Sumatra. In reality, Lake Toba’s days of exploding and plunging humanity into doom are over. Today, it’s a peaceful holiday destination for lovers of mountains, lakes, and tropical environments.
Most people, when first setting eyes on Lake Toba, will be surprised by its immense size. In fact it’s 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide! Samosir Island, in the lake’s center, is the lake’s highlight. This island is not only beautiful but one of the traditional lands of the Batak people who greet you by saying “Horas.”
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