For the most current version of this Note, see Background Notes
A-Z. Republic of Indonesia Area: 2 million sq. km. (736,000 sq.
mi.), about three times the size of Texas; maritime area:
7,900,000 sq. km. Cities: Capital--Jakarta (est. 8.8 million).
Other cities--Surabaya 3.0 million, Medan 2.5 million, Bandung
2.5 million plus an additional 3 million in the surrounding
area. Terrain: More than 17,000 islands; 6,000 are inhabited;
1,000 of which are permanently settled. Large islands consist of
coastal plains with mountainous interiors. Climate: Equatorial
but cooler in the highlands. Nationality: Noun and adjective--
Indonesian(s). Population (2004): 224 million. Annual population
growth rate (2004): 1.9%. Ethnic groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese
14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, others 26%. Religions:
Islam 87%, Protestant 6%, Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist and
other 1%. Languages: Indonesian (official), local languages, the
most important of which is Javanese. Education: Years compulsory
--9. Enrollment