Indonesia offers endless options for travelers, from the snow-capped mountains of Irian Jaya to the jungles of Sumatra and Borneo, exotic adventures are guaranteed. The lure of Java's powerful volcanoes and the gracious traditions of the Balinese people take hold of the visitor, commanding a deep respect for the peoples and nature of Indonesia's islands. The world's largest archipelago, consisting of over 13,000 islands skirting 4,000 miles along the equator, Indonesia is home to a myriad of intriguing cultures and stunning landscapes. The Indonesian people often describe their country as Tanah Air Kita , "Our Land and Water", an expression of their love and respect for their powerful and diverse ecosystem. Within the Ring of Fire -a string of active volcanoes that extends throughout Southeast Asia into the South Pacific-Indonesia's major eruptions average 10 per year, bringing destruction and renewal to the islands. Always hot and humid, Indonesia's equatorial climate can be simply characterized by two seasons: the wet (November-April) and the hot (May-October). However, even during the wet, the sun shines most days with perhaps a short afternoon deluge.

A turbulent geological history is obvious in a rugged landscape supporting a wide range and variety of eco-habitats at the crossroads of the Indo-Malay and Austral-Asian flora and fauna. As a result of this critical position during the shifting of the earth's plates and the breakup of Gondwanaland , this string of islands and volcanoes contains the richest mix of plant and animal species in the world. Moreover, these historic movements of earth and recent volcanic activity are reflected in the striking natural contrasts, from the alpine environs of Irian Jaya to the volcanoes of Java and the lowland tropical rainforest covering most of the islands. Indonesia is also blessed with fertile marine eco-systems that harbor vibrant coral reefs, strange and colorful fish and the most extensive system of mangroves in the world. The world's only black orchid can be found in the jungles of Borneo, while the Glory of the Sea, a crab that climbs coconut trees, snips the stem of the nut and opens them on the beach, can only be found on these islands.

Some of the world's oldest fossils of Homo Erectus have been found on the island of Java, most notably Java Man discovered in 1891. Today, the people of Indonesia are the descendants of successive migrations of seafaring groups from all over the Middle East, South & East Asia and the Pacific beginning about 40,000 years ago. The earliest inhabitants developed close relationships with their surrounding environment and consider themselves guardians of the land and sea. Some theories suggest a number of land bridges existed during the separation of the continents that brought the smaller negritos or orang asli ("original peoples") to these lush oases of the sea. Most coastal zones are home to vibrant fishing villages and the descendants of the ancient seafarers. Most notable are the Bugis and Makassarse of Sulawesi, which still craft boats entirely from timber, according to traditional techniques.

The majority of these seafaring ethnic groups evolved and flourished in relative isolation for centuries. The Hindu period, which began approximately 2500 years ago, was influential up until the 16th century, when Islam was brought to Indonesia, and became the dominant religion in the region. Hindu migrations brought a written language, healing techniques, textile dyeing, spiritual art and architecture as well as political and economic systems of governance.

The Majapahit Empire , considered the Golden Age of Indonesia, flourished during the 14th century with revitalized native folk arts and traditions dating back to their seafaring ancestors.

Hindu traditions faded quickly as Islam converted the masses island by island with only the Balinese refusing to give up their Indian beliefs. From Sumatra to Irian Jaya, Arab merchants began their conquest in the 4th century promoting egalitarian ideals and revolutionary zeal that appealed to the general population subjugated to vagaries of the feudal system. Arabic styles and language dominated the arts during the 15th and 16th centuries.

During the 17th, the Portuguese and then the British vied for control of the islands, with neither attaining much lasting influence. The Dutch colonial period, characterized by the plantation economy and forced labor, lasted for more than 100 years.

The twentieth century has been a turbulent time for Indonesia, with nationalists movements in the beginning, the Japanese occupation during World War II, and the post-independence democracy of Sukarno and its overthrow in 1965 by the military leader Suharto. Indonesia has now entered its next phase of profound transition, with the democratic election of Abdulurrahman Wahid as President, and the populist leader Megawati Sukaparno, Sukarno's daughter, as Vice President.

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