Welcome to Indonesia
General Information
Capital: Jakarta (Java).
Time:
Indonesia spans three time zones:
Bangka, Balitung, Java, West and Central Kalimantan, Madura and Sumatra: GMT + 7 (West), GMT + 8 (Central), GMT + 9 (East).
Bali, Flores, South and East Kalimantan, Lombok, Sulawesi, Sumba, Sumbawa and Timor: GMT + 8.
Aru, Irian Jaya, Kai, Moluccas and Tanimbar: GMT + 9.
Tel. Code:
00 62 + 36 Bali, 21 Jakarta, 27 Yogyakarta.
Official Language:
Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. It is similar to Malay and written in the Roman alphabet. All together, there are an estimated 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Many local languages are further divided by special forms of address depending on social status, and all languages are spoken in a variety of local dialects. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and tourism, and many people in the more remote areas have a basic command of English.
Currency:
Rupiah (Rp) = 100 sen. Notes are in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Rp1000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.
Electricity:
Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz, but 127 volts AC, 50Hz, in some rural areas.
Religion:
There is a Muslim majority of approximately 90 per cent, with Christian, Hindu (mainly in Bali) and Buddhist minorities. Animist beliefs are held in remote areas.
Climate
Climate:
Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year. Higher regions are cooler.
Required clothing:
Lightweights with rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for cool evenings and upland areas. Smart clothes such as jackets are required for formal occasions, and it is regarded inappropriate to wear halter-neck tops and shorts anywhere other than the beach or at sports facilities.
Airports
Jakarta (CGK)
(Soekarno-Hatta) is 20km (12 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 45 minutes).
Halim Perdana Kusuma (HLP)
13km (8 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 45 minutes).
Denpasar (DPS)
(Ngurah Rai), 13km (8 miles) southwest of the city, is the main airport on Bali (travel time – 30 minutes).
Departure tax:
Rp100,000; infants under the age of two are exempt.
Public Holidays 2005
Public Holidays 2005:
Jan 1 New Year’s Day.
Jan 21 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Feb 9-11 Chinese New Year.
Feb 10 Muharram (Islamic New Year).
Mar 25 Good Friday.
Apr 9 Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
Apr 21 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
May 5 Ascension.
May 23 Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday).
Aug 17 Indonesian Independence Day.
Sep 1 Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Passport/Visa
Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry required by all.
Visas
Required by all except the following for tourist stays of up to 30 days (non-extendable):
(a) nationals of Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong (SAR), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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