Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It consists of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups. The new figure for the total number of islands is 17,508 according to the Indonesian Naval Hydro-Oceanographic office. This figure is increased from the official figure so far known, that is 13,667. The archipelago is on a crossroads between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian, and bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. This strategic position has always influenced the cultural, social, political and economic life of the country.

The territory of the Republic of Indonesia stretches from 6 08' north latitude to 110 15' south latitude, and from 940 45' to 1410 05' east longitude. The Indonesian sea area is four times greater than its land area, which is about 1.9 million sq. km. The sea area is about 7.9 million sq. km (including an exclusive economic zone) and constitutes about 81% of the total area of the country.

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek Words: “Indos” meaning Indian and “Nesos” Meaning Island. This is an excellent description of the archipelago, as there are an estimated 17,508 islands, something more than tiny outcropping of barren rock, others as California or Spain and covered in dense tropical jungle. Approximately 6,000 of these islands are inhabited, with five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagoes serving as home to the majority of the population. The main islands are Sumatra (473,606 sq.km), Kalimantan (539,460 sq.km), Sulawesi (189,216 sq.km), Irian Jaya (421,981 sq.km), and Java (132,187 sq.km).

The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation in the world, with about 220 million people in 1998. A democratic republic, Indonesia is divided into 33 provinces and special territories. These are classified geographically into four groups: The Greater Sundas, (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Sulawesi) The Lesser Sundas, (The smaller islands from Bali eastward to Timor) Maluku, (all the islands between Irian Jaya and Sulawesi) and Irian Jaya in the extreme eastern part of the country.

The five main islands are: Sumatra, which is about 473,606 sq. km in size; the most fertile and densely populated islands, Java/Madura, 132,107 sq. km; Kalimantan, which comprises two-thirds of the island of Borneo and measures 539,460 sq. km; Sulawesi, 189,216 sq

NATIONAL FLAG
The Indonesian national flag is called”Sang Saka Merah Putih.” As provided for in Article 35 of the 1945 Constitution, the flag is made up of two colors, red on top of white. Its width is two-thirds of its length, or two meters by three meters. It is hoisted in front of the presidential palace, of government buildings and Indonesian mission abroad. The first flag was courageously flown amidst Japanese occupation forces on the day Indonesia’s Independence was proclaimed.
Since then it has been hoisted at Independence Day commemorations in front of the presidential palace in the Capital City of Jakarta. This historical flag, or”Bendera Pusaka,” was flown for the last time on August 17, 1968. Since then it has been preserved and replaced by a replica woven of pure Indonesian silk.

THE COAT OF ARMS
The Indonesian coat of arms consists of a golden eagle, called “Garuda,” that is a figure from ancient Indonesian epics. It is also pictured on many temples from the 6th Century.
The Eagle is a symbol of creative energy. Its principal color, gold, suggests the greatness of the nation. The black color represents nature. There are 17 feathers on each wing, 8 on the tail and 45 on the neck. These figures stand for the date of Indonesia’s independence proclamation: 17 August, 1945.
The motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity), is enshrined on a banner held in the eagle’s talons. This old Javanese motto was introduced by Empu Tantular, a saint of the Majapahit Kingdom, in the 15th Century. It signifies the unity of the Indonesian people despite their diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The shield symbolizes self-defense in struggle or and protection of oneself. The red and white colors on the shield’s background denote the colors of the Indonesian national flag. The five symbols on the shield represent the state philosophy of Pancasila, the foundation of the Indonesian state.
The bar across the center indicates the equator which passes through the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Halmahera. This is a reminder of the fact that the Republic of Indonesia is the only tropical country in which the people have built a free and sovereign state by their own hands.
The golden star on the black background in the center of the shield represents the first principle of Pancasila, belief in the One and Only God. The chain symbolizes successive human generations. The round links represent women and the square ones men. It is the symbol of the second principle, just and civilized humanity. The “Beringin,” or banyan tree, symbolizes the third principal, the unity on Indonesia. The head of the “Banteng,” or wild bull (bos javanicus), which is black on a red background, represents the fourth principle, democracy guided by the inner wisdom of deliberations of representatives. The fifth principle, social justice for all Indonesian people, is symbolized by the gold and white paddy and cotton ears.