Indonezia

Indonezia is the sovereign archipelagic nation commonly known in English as Indonesia. Located in Southeast Asia and Oceania, it comprises about 17,000 islands, 34 provinces, and Jakarta as its capital. It spans the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a tropical climate and rich biodiversity. The country observes three time zones: Western (UTC+7), Central (UTC+8), and Eastern (UTC+9).

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, with numerous regional languages such as Javanese, Sundanese, and Madurese also spoken. The population is about 275 million, making it the fourth most populous country. The largest ethnic groups are Javanese, Sundanese, and Malay.

Indonezia is a unitary presidential constitutional republic. The president is the head of state and government, and the legislature comprises the DPR and DPD. Indonesia declared independence in 1945 and gained wide recognition in 1949. Pancasila, the national philosophy, underpins the state, with the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

Economically, Indonezia has a mixed economy and is Southeast Asia's largest by nominal GDP. Major sectors include manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and services. Key exports are palm oil, coal, petroleum, natural gas, textiles, and electronics. Tourism, including Bali, Borobudur, and Komodo, is a growing contributor. The currency is the rupiah (IDR).

Environmental challenges include deforestation, habitat loss, and air pollution, while the country is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Indonesia is a founding member of ASEAN and participates in global forums such as the G20.