Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Sumatera Wild Trek

3 Days Tour To Bukit Lawang And Tangkahan

For those on a tight schedule join us for an expedition highlighting the main attractions Gunung Leuser National Park. A 3 day, 2 night exclusive tour to Bukit Lawang and Tangkahan. Visit the Orangutan feeding platform in Bukit Lawang and enjoy a 1-3 hour elephant trek through the jungle in Tangkahan. Help out with the elephant washing before returning by river tubing to the jungle lodge accommodation.
ITINERARY :
• Day One
Early morning pick up from Medan and private transportation to hotel accommodation in Bukit Lawang. Lunch and a short trek to the Orangutan feeding platform. Evening meal and over night stay.
• Day Two
Breakfast followed by 2 hour overland open top jeep ride from Bukit Lawang to Tangkahan. Relax at the jungle lodge accommodation. Lunch followed by a 1 or 2 hour elephant trek from Buluh River to the Conservation Response Unit (CRU) elephant camp to help out with the elephant washing. Possible to tube back to Buluh river, close to the jungle lodges. Evening meal and local entertainment.
• Day Three
Relaxing and swimming in pristine clean jungle river. Watch the elephants washing in the river. Barbeque lunch and overland jeep transport back to Bukit Lawang.
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N.B: Itinerary may alter according to how long you wish to elephant trek for. 3 hour treks start at 11am and would need to be arranged for Day three. 1 or 2 hour elephant treks can take place on Day two. Other activities can be arranged in Tangkahan, such as, trekking, caving and river tubing.
For more information please contact us.
Pick up by private transportation from Medan
Return off road jeep ride from Bukit Lawang
Permits and fully licensed guides
1 night accommodation in Bukit Lawang and 1 night accommodation in Tangkahan
Cost :180 euro (Based on two person)

BOOKING NOW!!!

1 Night Camping By The Bohorok river


ITINERARY :
  • Breakfast and set off on overnight  trekking adventure
  • Walk around 6-7 hours into the jungle to searching to and see orangutan and other wildlife .
  • After walking relaxing at the camp and swimming in pristine clean jungle river , preparation jungle dinner .
  • Traditional tube rafting back to Bukit Lawang .
INCLUDES :
  • Licensed guide and  national park
  • All food and water provide during trekking
  • Traditional tube rafting down the river on the
  • Final day back to base in Bukit Lawang
Private transportation from Medan to Bukit Lawang if required
Important note :
An average to high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition , conditions can be hot
And at times exhausting in a tropical rainforest climate
Necessary equipment
  • sturdy walking boots or shoes
  • sport sandals or flip flops for river walking
  • sheet or light weight sleeping bag
  • optional ground /inflatable mat . one will be provided if necessary
  • insect repellent
  • trousers ( not jeans) and if possible long sleeved top
  • ight time /clean clothing for relaxing in
  • head torch or flashlight
NB :  This just a general guide. We will advise you further on necessary equipment during the
Orientation . you  may also be able to borrow some items from us
COST :       70 euro ( based on 2 persons )

BOOKING NOW!!!

Mar 11th, 2011 by orangutan | Comments Off
ITINERARY :
  • Breakfast and set off on overnight  trekking adventure
  • Walk around 6-7 hours into the jungle to searching to and see orangutan and other wildlife .
  • After walking relaxing at the camp and swimming in pristine clean jungle river , preparation jungle dinner .
  • Traditional tube rafting back to Bukit Lawang .
INCLUDES :
  • Licensed guide and  national park
  • All food and water provide during trekking
  • Traditional tube rafting down the river on the
  • Final day back to base in Bukit Lawang
Private transportation from Medan to Bukit Lawang if required
Important note :
An average to high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition , conditions can be hot
And at times exhausting in a tropical rainforest climate
Necessary equipment
  • sturdy walking boots or shoes
  • sport sandals or flip flops for river walking
  • sheet or light weight sleeping bag
  • optional ground /inflatable mat . one will be provided if necessary
  • insect repellent
  • trousers ( not jeans) and if possible long sleeved top
  • ight time /clean clothing for relaxing in
  • head torch or flashlight
NB :  This just a general guide. We will advise you further on necessary equipment during the
Orientation . you  may also be able to borrow some items from us
COST :       70 euro ( based on 2 persons )

BOOKING NOW!!!

Mar 11th, 2011 by orangutan | Comments Off
ITINERARY :
  • Breakfast and set off on overnight  trekking adventure
  • Walk around 6-7 hours into the jungle to searching to and see orangutan and other wildlife .
  • After walking relaxing at the camp and swimming in pristine clean jungle river , preparation jungle dinner .
  • Traditional tube rafting back to Bukit Lawang .
INCLUDES :
  • Licensed guide and  national park
  • All food and water provide during trekking
  • Traditional tube rafting down the river on the
  • Final day back to base in Bukit Lawang
Private transportation from Medan to Bukit Lawang if required
Important note :
An average to high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition , conditions can be hot
And at times exhausting in a tropical rainforest climate
Necessary equipment
  • sturdy walking boots or shoes
  • sport sandals or flip flops for river walking
  • sheet or light weight sleeping bag
  • optional ground /inflatable mat . one will be provided if necessary
  • insect repellent
  • trousers ( not jeans) and if possible long sleeved top
  • ight time /clean clothing for relaxing in
  • head torch or flashlight
NB :  This just a general guide. We will advise you further on necessary equipment during the
Orientation . you  may also be able to borrow some items from us
COST :       70 euro ( based on 2 persons )

BOOKING NOW!!!

Mar 11th, 2011 by orangutan | Comments Off
ITINERARY :
  • Breakfast and set off on overnight  trekking adventure
  • Walk around 6-7 hours into the jungle to searching to and see orangutan and other wildlife .
  • After walking relaxing at the camp and swimming in pristine clean jungle river , preparation jungle dinner .
  • Traditional tube rafting back to Bukit Lawang .
INCLUDES :
  • Licensed guide and  national park
  • All food and water provide during trekking
  • Traditional tube rafting down the river on the
  • Final day back to base in Bukit Lawang
Private transportation from Medan to Bukit Lawang if required
Important note :
An average to high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition , conditions can be hot
And at times exhausting in a tropical rainforest climate
Necessary equipment
  • sturdy walking boots or shoes
  • sport sandals or flip flops for river walking
  • sheet or light weight sleeping bag
  • optional ground /inflatable mat . one will be provided if necessary
  • insect repellent
  • trousers ( not jeans) and if possible long sleeved top
  • ight time /clean clothing for relaxing in
  • head torch or flashlight
NB :  This just a general guide. We will advise you further on necessary equipment during the
Orientation . you  may also be able to borrow some items from us
COST :       70 euro ( based on 2 persons )

BOOKING NOW!!!

8 – 10 DAYS TO KUTA CANE (SOUTH EAST ACEH )


Join us for a spectacular trek across the jungle border between Aceh and North Sumatra. View stunning scenery off the tourist trail and feel a true sense of achievement on completing our most physically challenging expedition so far.
Ascending a mountain on day one is just the beginning of this adventure. Experience true remoteness and abandonment in beautiful primary rainforest as far as the eye can see. Leave all cares and worries behind you and absorb nature at its purest.
Our highly experienced guides are alert to the tracks and signs of wildlife. You may be lucky enough to see the Sumatran Elephant in the wild as well as wild orangutans, gibbons, various monkeys, wild pig and deer regularly spotted in this region. We can extend the number of days spent on the trek to build in time for relaxing and soaking in the jungle tranquillity.
ITINERARY :
(The route and duration of the trek may vary according to the time of year and weather conditions)
• Day One
Trek orientation in Medan / Bukit Lawang. Travel by private transportation through Berastagi to Kutacane in Aceh. Stop for lunch in Berastagi. Arrive around 8pm in Kutacane for dinner and accommodation with our local village friends.
• Day Two
Wake early for breakfast and ascend Lumut Mountain. Arrive late afternoon 500 metres below the summit for our river camp in the valley below. Get into warm, cosy clothes for evening camp meal and spectacular views of Southern Aceh and the winding Alas river below.
• Day Three
Trek to the summit of Lumut Mountain in wondrous misty mountain views. Descend the mountain to camp next to the Berkail river.
• Day Four–Seven
Trekking alongside and through the Berkail river with the help of our guides. Take lunch by waterfalls, catch fish for dinner, play cards and scrabble in the evenings. Camping out under the stars makes for an authentic jungle experience.
• Day Eight
Final day of trekking. Ascend the Meranti mountain before reaching our expedition base. Put on some clean clothes, enjoy a local massage and prepare for a well deserved end of trek party.
Who is this trek suitable for?
As well as a sense of adventure, an average to high level of physical fitness is required for this expedition. Conditions can be hot and at times exhausting in a tropical, rainforest climate. The terrain is sometimes steep and deeply forested.
This is not an expedition for the faint hearted or those looking for jungle luxury.
We camp together every night under the same tent and you will be washing in the river to keep clean. Don’t expect to return with any clean clothes!
You might find it useful to do a short 1 day practice trek before you embark on this expedition. Please allow extra days if you wish us to organize a practice trek.
Contact us for more information.
Necessary Equipment:
  • Sturdy walking boots or shoes
  • Sports sandals or flip flops for river walking
  • Sheet or light weight sleeping bag
  • Optional ground/inflatable mat. One will be provided if necessary.
  • Insect repellent
  • Trousers (not jeans) and if possible long sleeved top(s)
  • Night time / camp clothing for relaxing in.
  • Head torch.
If you are hoping to contribute directly to the plight of the Sumatran orangutan then please read on.
Includes :
All private transportation from Bukit Lawang or Medan to the starting point of the trek in Kutacane, Aceh
Licensed guides and permits
All food and refreshments whilst trekking
NB : This is just a general guide we will advice you further on the necessary equipment during the orientation. You may also be able to borrow some items for us.
Cost : 500 euro ( based on two person )

BOOKING NOW!!!


10 Day Sumatra Wild Expedition

Mar 11th, 2011 by orangutan | Comments Off
Join us for a 6 days overnight trekking adventure through the wild orangutan territory of Gunung Leuser National Park. inclusive of 4 nights hotel accommodation in Bukit Lawang to relax before and after the trek and a short practice trek to visit the semi wild rehabilitated orangutans at the Bukit Lawang Feeding platform .
At the time trekking learn key jungle skills, such as building camps jungle style . finding and cooking jungle vegetables , fishing for dinner and finding and preparing jungle medicine .
The Gunung Leuser National Park is the best place to see many kinds of species , including orangutans, Sumatran tiger , white handed gibbon , siamang ,Thomas leaf monkey and 285 species birds . 3500 plants species and 60-130 tree species .
This expedition last for 10 days , but we can offer more activities if you still have a time . This expedition is ideal for single travelers looking for like minded people to share experiences. With alternatively we can arrange for you to do the trek alone with our guides at a date fitting in into your travel schedule.
TYPICAL ITINERARY :
(may very according to weather conditions )
Day one
Only afternoon pick up from Medan and private transportation To hotel accommodation hotel in Bukit Lawang orientation with head guide
Day two
Breakfast followed by short practice trek to orangutans feeding Platform and the surrounding jungle area .
Day three
Breakfast and set off on 6 day trekking Adventure . overnight camping and dinner .
Day four
Continuing trek to next camp looking  for Signs of wild orangutan nests or noise And other wildlife tracks, instruction in Making a jungle camp followed by late. Afternoon fishing by the river and instruction in preparing a jungle dinner.
Day five
Day spent looking for sign or wildlife In the surrounding area. At the same time Collecting jungle vegetable for dinner
And use full jungle medical remedies. instruction in how to prepare the jungle,Vegetables and demonstration in preparation of jungle medicine and its uses .
Day Six
Continue trekking and observing wildlife.
Opportunity for guests to help with setting
Up the jungle camp and preparation of dinner.
Day Seven
Further trekking and tracking of wildlife .
Final night of camping in the jungle .
Set up the camp and prepare jungle dinner
Day eight
Trek to tubing pick up point for
Exhilarating traditional tube rafting
Back to Bukit Lawang and accommodation .
Evening BBQ and party .
Day nine
Stay one more night in Bukit Lawang and
Early afternoon walk around to the village
And to see rice field .
Day ten
Private transportation back to Medan .
Includes
  • Private return transportation from Medan to Bukit Lawang and the starting Pont of the expedition .
  • 4 nights hotel accommodation in Bukit Lawang  before and after 6 days trek
  • Highly experienced and licensed guides
  • National park permits
  • All food and water provided during trekking
Important  note!!
An average to high level of physical  fitness is required for this expedition . condition can be hot and At time exhausting in a tropical rainforest climate
Necessary equipment
. Sturdy walking boots and shoes
. Sport sandals of flip flops for river walking
. Sheet or light weight sleeping bag
. Optional ground /inflatable mat , one will be provided if necessary
. Insect repellent
. Trousers ( not jeans) and clothing for relaxing in .
. Head torch or flashlight
NB : this is just a general guide , we will advice you further on the necessary equipment during
The orientation . you may also be able to borrow some items for us
Cost : 500 euro (based on two person)

BOOKING NOW!!!

Bukit Lawang


Orang Utan Sumatera
Bukit Lawang is a small tourist village at the bank of the Bahorok River in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
The village of Bukit Lawang provides the main access point into the Gunung Leuser National Park, one of only two remaining natural habitats for the Sumatran orag-utan.
Bukit Lawang is located approximately 80km North West of the city Medan. The easiest and cheapest way to get to Bukit Lawang is by bus from Pinang Baris Bus Station in Medan. Get a taxi to drop you off at the station (which is often just a collection of buses at the side of the road) and ask for the bus to Bukit Lawang. The journey takes approximately three hours and the bus attracts jungle guides seeking to sell jungle trips to tourists/backpackers.
Bukit Lawang is well known for the Bohorok Orang utan Sanctuary. The centre has a successful track record of reintegrating orang-utans into the wilderness. Visitors to Bukit Lawang can take the short walk to the orang-utan feeding platorm, located just inside the National Park, which provides an amazing opportunity to view semi wild orang-utans.

Tangkahan

Tangkahan is a small village on the border of Gunung Leuser National Park located in North Sumatra. It is situated at the junction of 2 rivers, the Buluh River and the Batang River. Tangkahan specialises in eco-tourism activities like jungle trekking and Elephant trekking.
There are 7 trained elephants at Tangkahan which are available for jungle trekking though their primary role is to patrol and protect the National Park from illegal activities like animal poaching and illegal logging. These elephants were original troublesome elephants that were involved in destroying fields and houses in surrounding villages. Now they serve to protect not only the villages but other elephants in the wild.
When you arrive at Tangkahan you need to pay 2000Rp at the Visitors Centre to go down to the river. Then to cross the river it is 10,000Rp per person for 3 days, you can cross as many times as you like.
Tangkahan River Crossing
Buluh River Tangkahan
Elephant camp
The Elephant camp is a 15 – 20 minute walk up river from the visitors centre in Tangkahan. They bathe the elephants everyday at 9am and 4pm. You’ll need to purchase a ticket at the visitors centre for 20,000Rp per person before you go to the elephant camp.
Elephant Washing in Tangkahan
Elephant trekking
There are various options for experience trekking in the jungle on the back of an elephant. There is a minimum of a 1 hour trek up to a 4 day trek through the Gunung Leuser National Park to Bukit Lawang.
Elephant Trekking in Tangkahan
Trekking to Bukit Lawang is possible and will take 4 days.
Hot spring
Just across from the Jungle Lodge is a small cave with a hot spring pouring hot water into the river. There is a large log tied up at the river bank which allows you to lay back and enjoy the mixture of the hot spring waters and cold water flowing down the river.
Waterfall
Just before the Buluh River meets the Batang River there is a small waterfall. You have to walk up a small creek about 100 meters to reach the waterfall. Great for sitting under to get a jungle massage!
There is also another larger waterfall about an hours trek up the Buluh River. Most of the way you need to walk in the river as there are no jungle trails and some sections you need to swim up river

Lake Toba

(Danau Toba) is the largest volcanic lake in the world and is in Sumatra, Indonesia. Samosir island within the lake is the island within the island of Sumatra.

World famous is the crater Toba Lake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, ‘the most beautiful place on earth’. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.
Orangutan Expedition
The centerpiece of North Sumatra, Lake Toba’s bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind
and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba’s attraction. Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation.
Toba Lake is a 100kms x 30kms volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Toba Lake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist.
Samosir Island (Lake Toba)

Medan

Medan (Indonesian: Kota Medan; pronounced [meˈdan]) is the capital of the North Sumatra province in Indonesia. Located on the northern coast, Medan is the fourth largest city in Indonesia(behind Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung), and the largest Indonesian city outside Java. The city is bordered by the Deli Serdang Regency to the east, south and west, and the Strait of Malacca to the north. It is close to the volcano Sinabung, which erupted in August 2010 after a 400 year dormant state.
From 2005 Medan was governed by a mayor, Dr. H. Abdillah Ak, MBA (appointed for the period 2005-2010). However, Abdillah and his vice mayor were caught by Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission in 2008. Syamsul Arifin, the Governor of North Sumatra Province, then appointed Affifudin Lubis to become the acting mayor. In 2009, Affifudin Lubis resigned as mayor, and the Governor then appointed Rahudman Harahap to become the mayor. Because Rahudman wanted to be a candidate in the 2010 mayor election, he resigned as mayor. Then Syamsul Arifin became the acting mayor. In the 2010 mayor election, Rahudman Harahap is elected mayor. Medan is divided into 21 districts (kecamatan) and 151 subdistricts (kelurahan)

History


Governor-General Dirk Fock visiting the Great Mosque, 1925
Medan started as a village called Kampung Medan (Medan Village). Kampung Medan was founded by Guru Patimpus around the 1590s. Because Kampung Medan sits on Tanah Deli (Land of Deli), Kampung Medan is also referred as Medan-Deli. The original location of Kampung Medan is an area where the Deli River meets the Babura River.
Based on the diary of the Portuguese merchant in early 16th century, it stated that the name of Medan was actually derived from Medina which is actually a holy city in the western of Saudi Arabia. However, other sources indicated that the name of Medan actually came from Indian Hindi language word "Maidan" meaning "ground" or "land"(like in Pragati Maidan in Delhi). One of the Karo-Indonesia dictionary written by Darwin Prinst SH published in 2002 wrote that Medan could also be defined as "recover" or "be better".
The first inhabitants of Medan came from the Malay community. It was not until the Sultan of Aceh, Sultan Iskandar Muda, sent his warlord, Gocah Pahlawan Laksamana Khoja Bintan, to be the Sultanate of Aceh's representative in Tanah Deli, that the Sultanate of Deli started to grow. This growth stimulated growth in both the population and culture of Medan. In the second year reign of Sultan Deli (between 1669–1698), there was a cavalry battle in Medan.
Medan did not experience significant development until the 1860s, when the Dutch colonialists began clearing the land for tobacco plantations. Medan quickly became a center of government and commercial activity, dominating development of Indonesia's western region.
The Dutch governed Tanah Deli from 1658, after Sultan Ismail, ruler of the Kingdom of Siak Sri Indrapura, yielded some of his once-ruled land, Deli, Langkat, and Serdang. In 1915 Medan officially became the capital of North Sumatra Province, and officially a city in 1918.
Currently much of Medans historic architecture from the colonial era is rapidly being demolished to make way for modern buildings (malls, garages, etc.).

Medan









North Sumatera

North Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Utara) is a province of Indonesia on the Sumatra island. Its capital is Medan. It is the most populous Indonesian province outside of Java. It is slightly larger than Sri Lanka in area.

 Geography and population

The province of North Sumatra stretches across the island of Sumatra between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. It borders Aceh province on the northwest and Riau and West Sumatra provinces in the southeast. It has an area of 70,787 km². The province contains a broad, low plain along the Strait of Malacca on which the provincial capital, Medan, is located. In the south and west, the land rises to the mountain range that runs the length of Sumatra; the mountains here are dominated by Lake Toba, formed from the caldera of an ancient volcano. Several large islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sumatra are part of North Sumatra, most notably Nias, and the Batu Islands.
North Sumatra recorded a population of 11.48 million in the 2000 national census. An Intercensal estimate for 2007 shows a population of 12,834,371, 2010 census recorded 12,985,075 people, a sex ratio of 99.59 men per 100 women.

Agriculture and economy

Sumatra Mandheling and Sumatra Lintong coffee beans are grown in North Sumatra and largely exported to the United States. Mandheling is named after the similarly spelt Mandailing people located in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The name is the result of a misunderstanding by the first foreign purchaser of the variety, and no coffee is actually produced in the "Mandailing region". Lintong on the other hand, is named after the Lintong district, also located in North Sumatra.

Tourism

Besides Lake Toba and Orang Utan conservatory at Bukit Lawang there are also Taman Hutan Raya at Berastagi which declared by Keputusan Presiden RI Nomor 48 Tahun 1998 tanggal 19 November 1998. Seaports
North Sumatra has international seaport at Belawan, Medan and now to prepare a new seaport at Kuala Tanjung, Batubara regency for about Rp.1 trillion ($114 million) budget.
North Sumatera Map

Sumatera

Sumatra was known in ancient times by the Sanskrit names of Swarnadwīpa ("Island of Gold") and Swarnabhūmi ("Land of Gold"), due likely to the gold deposits of the island's highland.The first word mentioning the name of Sumatra was the name of Srivijayan Haji (king) Sumatrabhumi ("King of the land of Sumatra"), who sent an envoy to China in 1017. Arab geographers referred to the island as Lamri (Lamuri, Lambri or Ramni) in the 10-13th centuries, in reference to a kingdom near modern day Banda Aceh which was the first landfall for traders.
Late in the 14th century the name Sumatra became popular, in reference to the kingdom of Samudra Pasai, which was a rising power, until it was replaced by Sultanate of Aceh. Sultan Alauddin Shah of Aceh, on letters written in 1602 addressed to Queen Elizabeth I of England, referred himself as "king of Aceh and Samudra". The word itself is from Sanskrit "Samudra",  meaning "gathering together of waters, sea or ocean".
European writers in the 19th century found that the indigenous inhabitants did not have a name for
the island.
Sumatran Map

INDONESIA

Indonesia or , officially the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands and thirty three provinces. With over 238 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and has the world's largest population of Muslims. 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, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia is a founding member of ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies. The Indonesian economy is the world's eighteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and fifteenth largest by purchasing power parity.
The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the 7th century, when Srivijaya and then later Majapahit traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually absorbed foreign cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers brought Christianity and fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia's history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.
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.

Indonesian Map