Nations of the World - Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the world's most diverse nations. It includes more than 17,500 islands scattered over more than 734,000 square miles in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The number of islands is matched by a range of plant and animal life, which includes tigers, white rhinoceroses, and komodo dragons. The Indonesians come from more than 200 ethnic groups and speak 400 different languages and dialects. Indonesians are united, however, by a rich history shaped by the country's position at a crossroads of trade routes between East and West. Modern Indonesian culture reflects influences from East Asia, South Asia, and Europe, and from the Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim religions.