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Geography and Environment of Indonesia
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Indonesia.
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Overview
The Republic of Indonesia encompasses the world’s longest archipelago. From the tiny island of Sabang in the northwest to Papua (formerly Irian Jaya or West Irian) in the east, over 17,000 islands stretch some 3,400 miles along the Equator. The total land area covers about 736,000 square miles. The main islands, in terms of population and importance, are Java, Sumatra, Bali, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi (Celebes), Papua, and the Maluku. The landscape is highly varied with mountain peaks and volcanoes, some rising to over 15,000 feet. In central Papua, snow covers some peaks all year.
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains
- Climate
- The tropical climate varies with location, season, and altitude. Jakarta lies in the lowlands. Spanning the Equator, Indonesia experiences no real seasons. However, a wet season begins in November and lasts until March, followed by a dry season from April to October. Days and nights each last 12 hours. The tropical climate and rich soil support abundant flora and fauna. Mangrove swamps and marshes flourish along the coast; tropical rain forests cover most of the terrain up to 3,000 feet; and abundant subtropical vegetation, such as oak, pine, and hardwoods, thrives at higher altitudes. The abundant forest cover and favorable climate have stimulated a diverse animal life. Many endangered and unique animals, such as single‑horn rhinoceroses, orangutans, saltwater crocodiles, Komodo "dragons," Sumatran tigers, giant monitor lizards, and anoa, the pygmy buffalo of Celebes, still find a home in Indonesia. Many species of snakes, insects, and birds abound.
- Weather Patterns
- http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/IDXX0022?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
- Highest Point
- 5030 — Puncak Jaya 5,030 m
- Lowest Point
- Indian Ocean 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- slightly less than three times the size of Texas
- Border Countries
- East Timor 228 km, Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
- Natural Hazards
- occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze from forest fires
- International Agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation