Being Indonesian, let me introduce you to 12 Unique Facts About Indonesia
- With over 17,000 islands – approximately 6000 of them still inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world.
- Over 580 languages and dialects, Bahasa Indonesia is the formal language (I only knows several traditional languages and dialects)
- Rice is the main food staple in Indonesia. That’s why most Indonesians will say they haven’t had their meal before they had rice even after they had eaten pizza or hamburger!
- Indonesia is home to one of the previous 7 Wonders of the world – The Borobudur Temple. It’s the biggest Buddhist temple in the world built in 9th century. Still one of the huge tourism spot in Indonesia. Sadly, on the new 7 Wonders of The World, Indonesia fell off the list.
- The only dragon in the world can be found in Indonesia at the Komodo Island where the Komodo dragon resides.
- One of the largest Muslim population in the world but Indonesia IS NOT a Muslim country. The government only recognized 6 religions here: Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu and Konghucu.
- One of the world’s unique funeral procession takes place in a Toraja, a small town in Sulawesi island. Funeral procession will took around 7 days and cost a fortune. That’s why families usually save up their money for years before they can buried their loved ones. Where do they keep the body? In their house! Traditional embalming involved.
- Bali has been famous for years but Lombok is the most happening place among others beautiful places in Indonesia. Remember, being a country with so many islands there are plenty of beautiful beaches scattered all over Indonesia.
photo credit: java tourism
- The Dutch (or was known back then as the Dutch East Indies) colonized Indonesia for 350 years. That’s why many older Indonesians speak fluent Dutch and plenty of Indonesian word derived from their language.
- Java island where Jakarta is situated is as big as New York State
- Indonesia is home to the largest flower in the world called The Rafflesia aka The Corps flower. Reaching 5ft high and 4ft wide, it only blooms for 3 days and for 8 hours of these 3 days, the flower gives out the rotting flesh smell.
photo credit: NeilsPhotography
- Indonesian loves spicy foods! Order a pizza or hamburger here, you will get some chili packages!
#6. One of the largest Muslim population in the world but Indonesia IS NOT a Muslim country. The government only recognized 5 religions here: Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu.
-> The Government recognizes 6 (six) religions here: Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Hindu, and Konghucu (this is the latest one)
Boy, thank you for the correction! Appreciate it because I didn’t know about Konghucu being eecognized already. Will edit the post as soon as I get my internet running again. Byar pret mulu saingan sama pln nih hehehe
I’ve always wanted to go to Indonesia, especially Lombok which I’ve heard wonderful things about – reading this post has inspired me to definitely make a trip!
Lombok is definitely a beautiful place, Rose. Hope you’ll make that trip and blog about it
Wow, I really want to come visit now. That plant is bigger than I am!!
Plus, now you have me craving spicy pizza
CMcKane´s last [type] ..Word of the Week- Jocoserious
Thanks for the visit and yes you should visit and experience the different cultures here
What a beautiful and interesting place . . . but I think I’ll avoid that flower.
Thanks for sharing about your homeland. I feel smarter now!
Thank you so much
Oh yeah that flower is only pretty in pictures LOL. Good to see you back online again. I have missed your blog!
I didn’t realize they changed the 7 wonders of the world.
Some amazing facts there and that beach looks divine!
Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds´s last [type] ..AG Bell Session- Humor
Yeah apparently the new one override the o one because they did a whole voting online. I think it was announced on July 7, 2007.
Thanks Joey!
Such a gorgeous country– and I learned something new! That flower is pretty wild- too bad it stinks- haha.
That temple is AMAZING too- too bad it’s off the list!
Melissa {adventuroo}´s last [type] ..7 Non-Insane Tips to Capture Family Memories
Hi Melissa, thank you
Yeah, I wish the temple is still on the list but too bad the new list were from online voting and it didn’t make it.
My best friend is in Indonesia, and has been for over a year. She loves it so much I don’t think she’ll ever come home!
Wow really?
My husband loves it here too I doubt he wants to live somewhere else LOL. Thanks for the visit!
OK, that flower is bizarre and gigantic! I had no idea about the funeral process either. And the number of islands – WOW!
liz´s last [type] ..From Womb to World- Madelyn Rose
Yeah so much island but still so remotely I think there are people still living a very traditional lifestyle there. I never been to the funeral procession but I’ve seen it on TV and it’s like a huge party LOL
Hey Mo, the number of the islands reached some 16-17000 … I think you’ve mised a “0″ there ..
Yep .. it’s that much, and it’s that much unexplored. Have you heard of Raja Ampat Islands over the West Papua? I dream of going there someday … mmm… I met this lady once, who owned a tiny restaurant in Timika, she said (while pointing to the cuttlefish I ate), “This is Sorong Cuttlefish .. nice isn’t it?! While we were there, we had sashimi on the boat! It has never tasted that good … ” Oh gee … imagine you’re on a boat, fishing and serving sashimi on the spot! Heaven!!
For me, that must have been the best cuttlefish I’ve tasted in my life! Tender, sweet & juicy … and cooked perfectly. Boy oh boy … If you want to see how it looked like .. http://www.sotrek.in/cuttlefish-o-cuttlefish it’s there
Asta´s last [type] ..Baby Jan is Officialy A Boy!
Wow, I never knew how beautiful Indonesia really is. thanks for sharing.
Ramona´s last [type] ..Special Grace verse
Thank you for your kind comment, Ramona!
I’d heard of that flower, but hadn’t known it was in Indonesia – great list of facts!
Thanks, Megan. The flowers are so rare they can only be found in two places here
Lovely post, Taught me a lot that I never knew about Indonesia
Gemma´s last [type] ..10 Important things to remember when going on holiday
Hi Gemma, thank you. I’m happy to hear that
Wow! I would love to travel to Indonesia…I didn’t know more than half of that!
Mama Kat´s last [type] ..Stylish Kids
Your comment made my day, Mama Kat!
Thank you!
#7 and #11. Gross.
#8 so beautiful.
Kim @ Money and Risk´s last [type] ..14 Coffee Recipes and 7 Other Ways to Use Leftover Coffee
LOL Thanks, Kim!
LOL! I can’t help it but here I am smiling by myself! Why? I just saw your blog on comment luv site!
are originally from Indonesia but living in Europe. Except the time they lived in Egypt as expats of course 
Yesterday I saw you on SITS challenge page…
I had to subscribe you feed and see how your empire is growing – you’re so active! (That’s the way to do it if you want readers, I know!) I wish you luck!!!
I’ve been to Bali, many years ago. I had a super good time.
In Egypt our neighbors, became our friends
That flower…I’m so sorry but I don’t want to go even near to it. My imagination is far too wild!
Have great day,
see you soon, again!
BLOGitse´s last [type] ..less women…
LOL you’re too funny! I guess I had too much free time on my hands well until yesterday that is.
That’s so wonderful to hear you have Indonesian friends.
Wow! This makes me want to come visit you! So beautiful and such an interesting history and culture! I think I might be a bit in love!
Katie´s last [type] ..I Saw the Signand It Opened Up My Eyes
You are so welcome, any time, Katie!
I can show you around if you are here. Thanks, girl!
Hello – Thanks for stopping by my blog today and Linking Up!
Very nice job on your list post. I like how you incorporated the pictures in. Indonesia looks and sounds like a beautiful place. I would love to visit someday.
I love flowers – and WOW that’s a BIG one – probably not one I would want to get too close to. Yuck.
Good luck on your challenges.
brenda
Hi Brenda, thank you for visiting me back and left such a wonderful comment.
I hope one day you can come for a visit and enjoy the beauty Indonesia have to offer
Wow!! Talk about unique!! I loved reading all this, especially that HUGE flower. So weird that it only blooms for such a short time and that awful smell it emits, I don’t think I’d love that, but still very interesting!!
Hi Loni, yeah I know it’s so weird indeed bout that flower
Thanks for your visit!
Great blog! What a timely discovery! A dear Indonesian friend has been inviting me to for visit for AGES, I think I may finally make it for this New Year’s Eve celebrations.
I’ll keep an eye here for tips on how to tackle such a long trip with a toddler – I have taken my baby to Europe, but that’s only half the distance!
Ofthesea´s last [type] ..Reason 44 – It takes an act of violence to make me spend time with my son
Wow how exciting! Hope you will have a great time on your visit to Indonesia. Where’s your friend at? Jakarta?
Btw, love your avatar picture! Baby C is uber cute!
Sounds like an amazing place! I had no idea that flower existed – it’s unbelievable.
Thank you, Mrs. Mayhem
So very beautiful! My husband has been there on surfing expeditions, now he MUST take me!
Jen @ Lita’s World´s last [type] ..Heading to Southbridge
Hi Jen, lol yeah he must definitely take you the next time he’s here for surfing
Wow! This is a stunningly beautiful post. The images in this are amazing!
Thanks for all the information on Indonesia. As an Australian I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know that much about one of our closest neighbours. Think it might be time to rectify that. I’d love to travel over there. That temple alone would make the trip worthwhile!
Thanks for a great post!
G’day mate!
So good to have a bloggy friend from down under visiting my blog here.
I haven’t even visit the temple yet *ashamed* but it’s on my to-go-to list
Thank you for visiting!
I have learned so much from your post! I totally have the travel itch after reading! Stopping by from SITS & 31DBBB!
Jamee´s last [type] ..10 Things I’ve Learned from Chronic Illness
Aww thanks, Jamee
Your comment made my day!
Just hopped over from SITS! And I am now in love with Indonesia…I want to come live there!
You rock, girl! Just like your name
Thank you so much!
I am amazed. I had no idea the extreme number of islands and languages! I can’t even believe it.
awesome facts.
thank you.
Thank you Alexandra. The languages yes it’s coming from so many different tribes scattered here. One island alone can have so many different languages.
Very interesting. I really enjoyed the pictures you included. I had no idea Java was as big as New York state!
Stacy @ Delighting in the Days´s last [type] ..10 ways to fit in exercise with kids underfoot!
I didn’t know about that either, Stacy until Mr. Google told me so
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
What a very well done list post. I have a personal friend who was born in Indonesia, and at first I found it peculiar that her mother lives in Holland, as does one of her daughters. However, that is when I learned that it is very natural b/c they speak Dutch. She also speaks French.
Indonesia is on my ‘someday’ list. And while I would have probably said Bali, I would not have to rethink that because Lombok looks so enticing.
I hope you are enjoying the 31DBBB program with SITS. I’m having fun with it so far.
Your blog is beautiful and I look forward to checking out more of it as time goes on.
Have a lovely day!
P.S. In the spirit of promoting blogs for Day 3, I am going to Stumble this post.
Sara
Sara at Saving For Someday´s last [type] ..Sprouts Weekly Deals 7-21 – 7-28
Hi Sara,
Hopefully you will get to visit Indonesia someday
That’s so cool that your friend was born here. Yes, many Indonesians still have relatives in Holland especially if they are from the island of Moluccas (Ambon) because in the 60s or 70s there were a lot of Ambonese people that moved to Holland.
Thank you so much for Stumbling my post! Really appreciate it and I will go check your blog too. Sorry for being so behind. I’ve been a little busy with real life stuffs LOL.
Have a great day!
Very interesting and it looks beautiful. But, that flower I’m not so sure about! Aren’t flowers supposed to look and smell beautiful?!
LOL I thought so too, Tayarra but not that one apparently. Thanks girl!
Absolutely fascinating! Although I must admit I found the “keeping embalmed loved ones in the house for several years” part disturbing. I started counting up relatives who have passed away during the last five years and I think I’d need a bigger house!
LOL, Angie! Your comment really really crack me up.
From what I heard, they use ‘magic’ to move the smell into nearby jungle or something like that. Creepy enough for me.
Thanks for the visit!
So interesting! #7 is so interesting! I never knew that(or most of this for that matter). I really like this idea for apost! Great job.
I love all these pics too. Beautiful!
BTW, I saw(on the blog frog) you’re using google analytics. I haven’t done that yet. Do you reccomend it? Is it easy to do?
Adrienne´s last [type] ..10 Reasons why it stinks to be a woman!
Hi Adrienne,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Yes I’m using google analytics, so far it’s been great and there’s actually a plugin that will let you see the statistic on your dashboard. Are you on WordPress?
Thanks for the info! I’m not well versed in the wonders and beauty of the East, and this was very helpful.
Barbara´s last [type] ..My Top Ten Jobs
Hi Barbara, thank you for your wonderful respond
Really appreciate it and I’m glad it could open up a little of our culture.
Halo Maureen,
Apa kabar? Ketemu blog kamu dari SITS girls. Your pictures remind me of my travel to Borobudur, Bali, Lombok, and Menado. Indonesia is quite a beautiful country isn’t it? Truly hope that they improve the infrastructure so that they can gain a lot more tourist.
Maria
Maria’s rambling is:
http://adventurer101.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/expectations-kill-the-taste/
Halo Maria,
Kabar baik! Senang sekali kamu datang ke blog saya.
WOW I am so impressed you’ve been here before and actually got to see some of our beautiful places. I so agree with you on the infrastructure tho’ some places just have zero to none and it’s too bad because there’s so much potential out there. Thanks for your visit and leaving me such an awesome comment!
Great post! I love Indonesian jewelry so it was fun to see the other aspects of Indonesia. Number 4 is spectacular ~ don’t know how that got bumped off the list. I’ve heard of number 11 but never seen pictures before. It’s kind of pretty in a weird way. Thank you for sharing.
Daenel´s last [type] ..Day 3- Hey! Pay Me Some Attention
Hi Daenel! Thank you for stopping by. Oh I love Indonesian jewelry too especially those beautiful precious gems from Borneo.
Yeah, sadly they didn’t even nominated Borobudur temple for the New 7 Wonders so it’s off the list.
Maureen, these are some VERY interesting facts you gathered! Kudos to you. My mom told me about the “corpse flower” but I thought she was just pulling my leg. She’ll be happy you set me straight. It’s a horrible looking flower, too.
Nami´s last [type] ..The Newest Russo
LOL Nami, your comment really made me chuckle! Thanks, girl!
Great list post. I absolutely love your use of photos in your post.
Ceane´s last [type] ..Top Five Reasons to Visit New Orleans
Hi Ceane, thank you so much
Wow! Maureen,
Do you always get this many comments? “Indonesia” just the sound of it causes so many emotions…beauty, family, love, missing you. A beautiful country so far away.♥
Love you
Mom
Not always Mom, just my luck day (or lucky post, I guess) LOL.
Awww…we miss you so much Mom!
Can’t wait to have you come here for a visit.
Love you!
Hi! I’m following from 31DDD and thought I’d stop by and check out your list. I had to look over my Family Literacy blog to see if I had a list post and I kind of do. I’m doing a giveaway for the Brugo Mug and of course I have a list of ways people can get multiple entries. I wonder if that counts. You can check out my blog at:
http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com/2010/06/brugo-mugs-making-reading-drinking.html
I’d love to stay in touch, you write very well and I loved the lesson on Indonesia. =D
Tina “The Book Lady”
Hi Tina,
Thank you for your visit and your kind words.
I’m heading over to check your post.
Great post Maureen, the content is just really strong, and to the point. I think you get an A+ for the day 2 challenge. Go SITS
Maryline´s last [type] ..Before you join a nanny share…
Maryline, you made my day! Thank you for your awesome comment. Sure am glad that I joined this 31 Days Challenge
Good luck with yours.
Sounds beautiful – I had no idea so many islands were still uninhabited!
Such a shame Indonesia is no longer on the 7 wonders of the world list. I would love to visit that temple one day…
When did I become my Mom´s last [type] ..Waiting to be Wronged
My hubby just showed me that flower a few days ago, exquisite and gross at the same time. I’d love to see one but not sure if I could stand it.
Stopped over from a SITS discussion board to learn more about lists/links for the 31dbbb
Christy, Home♥Mom.com
christy´s last [type] ..Just over-under 200!
Indonesia is full of diverse cultures even more uniqueness in Indonesia one language diversity in each region and one Indonesian
ilmucts´s last [type] ..Hosting Flash dan Photo Gratis
and u didn’t even mention the durian!
tempo dulu´s last [type] ..Spirit of Pink Floyd- Jakarta
Hello..
i’m blogwalking here, and i love your blog..
esp. when you’re talking about indonesia
in my opinion, indonesia is very unique and beautifull too..
grammar
grammar´s last [type] ..Future Perfect Continuous Tense
What a beautiful country! And that flowers is unbelievable! Great list to share… had no idea about the many languages and islands.