Traveling to Indonesia: visa information, requirements and tips for tourists

Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands. However, more than 6,000 of them have no official name because they have never been inhabited. Islands such as Sumatra, Bali and Java are very popular with tourists.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world with over 270 million people. At the same time, the total area of the islands is 1.9 million square kilometers.

The standard of living varies greatly from island to island. Java is the most economically developed island, while many of the eastern islands are just beginning to enjoy the benefits of civilization.

Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, which is widely used in the production of cosmetics, food and medicines.

Only here there is a unique breed of chicken known as Ayam Cemani, which is characterized not only by black plumage, but also by black innards and bones.

Theisland of Borneo is the only island in the world that is divided between three countries: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. 73% of the island belongs to Indonesia (Part of the island is called Kalimantan), 26% belongs to Malaysia (Sarawak and Sabah regions), and less than 1% belongs to Brunei (Sultanate).

The island of Java is home to the Kawah Ijen volcano, which has the largest acid lake on earth. The lake is made up of sulfuric acid that has dissolved into the water. The acidity creates the lake's stunning colors, from turquoise to bright green, making it a breathtakingly beautiful place, but it is also dangerous.

The flag of Indonesia and Monaco are very similar: they are both horizontally divided into two equal parts, with the top half red and the bottom half white. The main difference between the Indonesian flag is its width, which is slightly larger than the Monaco flag. The flag of Poland is also similar to theirs, only the colors are in a different order: white on top and red on the bottom

Lake Toba is the world's largest natural lake of volcanic origin, located inside a volcano in the north of Sumatra Island. The size of the lake is impressive: it is about 500 meters deep, 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide. This lake is associated with the largest explosive eruption on Earth, which occurred about 70,000 years ago.

Only in Indonesia can you find the Komodo dragon in its natural habitat. It is the largest lizard species in the world, measuring up to 3 meters long. Komodo dragons are only found on five islands in the country - Komodo, Padar, Gili Motang, Flores, and Rinca. These creatures inspire fear with their venomous bites, impressive size and carnivorous lifestyle.

The largest flower in the world, the Arnold's Rafflesia, also known as the “corpse lily ” because of its foul odor after blooming, can be found in the rainforest. After months of bud development, they bloom for only a few days. The parasite flower has orange-red petals, has no stem or leaves, reaches up to 3 feet tall and weighs up to 10 pounds. These flowers are very hard to find.

Indonesia is known as the “Lost World of Asia ” - it is home to more than 100 endangered animal species. It is home to rare, exotic and amazingly beautiful animals that are gradually being threatened with extinction. These include the Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, Komodo dragon, orangutans, anoa (the world's smallest buffalo), merak or baboons, sea turtles and Tarsius tarsier, a small big-eyed primate.

The country is famous for its active volcanoes, there are more than 130 of them. This phenomenon is due to the state's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates collide. While most eruptions are common and minor, some can have a serious impact on locals and the environment.

Because of the country's cultural and religious diversity, superstitions play a significant role in Indonesian culture, where many people believe in mystical forces, spirits and traditional practices. They affect daily life, from observing certain rituals to seeking advice from spiritual leaders. Often these beliefs are intertwined with religious practices, combining Islam, Hinduism and indigenous spiritual traditions.

Different forms of family relationships prevail in different regions of Indonesia . In some places there is matriarchy, where married men continue to live in a shared house and are subordinate to their wives. In other areas, patriarchy prevails, where power and authority are held by men and women are often restricted.