Indonesia           Introduction        

Background:        The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include: implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption, holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East Timor - now under UN administration - has yet to be formally established.

Indonesia           Geography  

Location:         Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean

Geographic coordinates:        5 00 S, 120 00 E

Map references:         Southeast Asia

Area: total:  1,919,440 sq km

land:  1,826,440 sq km

water:  93,000 sq km

Area - comparative:        slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:         total:  2,602 km

border countries:  Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km

Coastline:         54,716 km