INDONESIA - FACTS AND FIGURES

For more information, try these web sites:
Access Indonesia Online
Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa

Area: 1, 904, 443 km2
Indonesia consists of 13,000 islands straddling the equator between the South Eastern tip of the Asian mainland and the North Western coast of Australia.

Population: 196.6 million (1995 estimate)

Population Growth: 1.8% (1995 estimate)

Capital: Jakarta

Official Name: Republic of Indonesia

System of Government: Unitary Republic

Head of State: President General Suharto

Vice President: General Try Sutrisno

Key Government Ministers: Ali Alatas, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tungky Ariwibowo, Minister of Industry and Trade; Mar'ie Muhammad, Minister of Finance

Languages: Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, but, there are about 250 regional languages and dialects. English is the most common second language and is widely used in the government and businesses.

Literacy Rate: 77%

Ethnic Background: No precise data is available but there is a considerable degree of ethnic homogeneity; mainly Malay stock with the rest mainly of Melanesian or Chinese origin.

Religion: Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country with Muslims accounting for 85% of the population and Christians accounting for 7.5%. The remaining population includes Hindus, Buddhists and animists. Despite the prevalence of the Muslim religion nationally, religion in Indonesia tends to be quite regionally based. It is possible to find areas of Christian majority, and Hinduism is the majority religion in Bali.

Currency: Rupiah; C$ 1.00 = 1, 696 Rp (week ending September 27, 1996)

Venturing to Indonesia for some business? Here are some tips that could help you...

• Handshakes are a good start for introductions. Call women by their first names and the title "Ibu." Address men by their first names and then by the title "Bapak."
  
  
• If you enter a sacred place, remove those shoes. If you are sitting, do not point your feet at anyone and do not touch anyone's head or hair. (Got all that?)
  
  
• Get this one...the left hand is considered to be "unclean." In that case, do not use your left hand to eat or touch someone with. (For all you left-handed people, you may have some problems!)
  
  
• Always make appointments and be on time, even though Indonesians are not big on punctuality. Even if they arrive late, Westerners should always be on time. (Does this sound fair or what?!)
  
  
• A calm, quiet manner is greatly appreciated. Do not talk loudly or embarass anyone in public because it is considered to be very rude.
  
  
• Being able to talk about your personal life is a bonus and is expected before "business dealings" get underway. Meetings tend to take a very long time..hint: wear comfortable clothes!
  
  
• Presents are not expected, but, a small token from your country is always appreciated.
  
  
• Show a lot of respect towards elders and senior business associates.
  

Some of this information was taken from the Information Series published by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. It is available in print format.