Indonesia is a country that is about four times the size of the state of Texas, covering approximately 2 million square miles. The world’s most populous island belongs to this country with approximately 124 million people living on the small island of Java. Indonesia is forth in size in the world if measured by population alone.
Five hundred and fifteen types of mammals make Indonesia their home, making it the country with the most diverse amount of mammals in the world. Fifty percent of all the worlds’ fish breeds can be found in the waters surrounding Indonesia. However Indonesia also has more endangered species then any other place in the world as well. One hundred and forty seven types of mammals on the endangered list come from this country. This does not include the endangered birds, or types of plants.
Indonesia is home to fifteen critically endangered species as well, including the silvery gibbon with only four percent of its natural habitat remaining untouched. The orang-utan is also native to Indonesia, and although its numbers are not known exactly it is feared to be critically low. The numbers of this endangered animal has declined over sixty percent in the last ten years. The most common reason of death in this animal was people capturing the young for pets, which meant killing the mother.
Illegal animal trade is a major problem in Indonesia, and it is also responsible for destroying some of the precious amounts of endangered animals that are left. Most of the smuggled animals die in transport due to the injury inflicted to them during capture, or the inadequate food and water, or the stress from small cramped cages. Over one hundred thousand parrots each year are trapped and smuggled out of Indonesia. Turtles are being smuggled and used for a meat delicacy, or their shells used for tourist ornaments.
Indonesia’s overall climate is a tropical one, however temperatures can vary greatly from one part of the country to another at any given time. Rainstorms occur all year, but the western monsoon season from December to March brings the heaviest rainfalls.
When travelling to Indonesia there are customs that need to be kept to avoid attracting unwanted attention from locals. Any forms of public displays of affection are frowned upon, and will draw attention from the law. Women are required to dress by Muslim tradition, which means the head, shoulders, arms and legs must remain covered. Gifts are appreciated if one is invited into a native Indonesia home, however the gift must be given with the right hand only.
People need to remember that even if one doesn’t agree with the laws of this country, they are in fact the laws that are in place. Asking a travel agent before travelling to Indonesia from anywhere in western civilization is highly recommended. Finding out the best season to travel to what vaccines are needed to go, it is best to be prepared. Make sure you have the proper clothing for the season you will be visiting in as well. Temperatures do get quite cool in the evenings.