Indonesia, Archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia is an island nation in Southeast Asia that stretches across thousands of islands between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The territory includes forested mountains, coastal lowlands, active volcanoes, and coral-rich waters that surround the scattered landmasses.
Maritime kingdoms controlled spice trade routes through the region from the 7th century onward, connecting Asia with the Middle East and Europe. The territory gained independence in 1945 after more than three centuries under colonial administration.
The name comes from the Greek word for 'Indian islands', reflecting early European perceptions of the region. Local markets across the islands display batik cloth, hand-carved wooden masks, and offerings prepared for daily temple ceremonies.
The rupiah serves as the national currency, and time zones shift from west to east across the islands. Major gateways include airports in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya, with visa rules depending on the traveler's nationality.
Komodo dragons live only on a few eastern islands and can grow to about 10 feet (3 meters) in length. The 9th-century Borobudur temple on Java was built using around 2 million stone blocks, making it the largest Buddhist monument in the world.
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