Indonesia is derived from “indos nesos”, meaning islands near India. It is the world’s largest archipelago with exactly 17, islands spread between the Asian continent and Australia, and between the Pacific and the Indian oceans.

Air transport is the easiest and most comfortable means of travel in Indonesia. Domestic air service, including the remote areas are provided by Garuda Indonesia, Merpati Nusantara, Sempati Air, Bouraq and Mandala Airlines.

Garuda Indonesia, operates both international and domestic routes and the only airline with an all-jet fleet for domestic Indonesia operations. Garuda serves Honolulu, Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich, Rome, Vienna, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Seoul, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Port Hedland and Auckland.

The country’s second national carrier, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, flies to 110 local destinations and to Australia (Darwin), Brunei Darussalam and East Malaysia (Kuching).

The country’s three main gateways are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Polonia Airport and Ngurah Rai Airport.

International airlines that serve Indonesia are Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines System (MAS), Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and JAL.

ENTRY REGULATIONS

Citizens of most countries can stay 60 days without a visa.

CLIMATE

Indonesia’s climate is tropical, hot, and humid but moderate in highlands.

LANGUAGE

The national language is Bahasa Indonesia (a modified form of Malay), English, English, Dutch, almost 600 local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese.

CURRENCY

The official currency, Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is valued at IDR 9,704.7 per US Dollar.

DOMESTIC TRANSPORT

Domestic rail service is available throughout Java, parts of Sumatra, Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya. There are comfortable sleeper trains that serve Yogyakarta, Solo, and Semarang.

Bus services are also available and ply the Bali – Banda Aceh route; many are air-conditioned with reclining seats as well as TV with video programs. Cars can also be hired, for longer out of town trips, from taxi or car rental companies.

Inter-island ships are comfortable and offer an alternative to flying. There are regular sailing schedules and routes at the main port of Jakarta.

COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

International Direct Dial Country Code = 62

Fixed Lines = 10,000,000

Mobile Cellular = 30,000,000

Indonesia’s telecommunications service is generally good, provided by an inter-island microwave system, HF radio police net, a domestic satellite communications system and satellite earth stations.

Indonesia’s GSM cellular service providers are Telkomsel, PTT Saleti Palapa, Excelcom and PT Indosat.

Several prepaid calling card and phone card companies are available to call both to and from Indonesia.

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