The Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a nation in Southeast Asia. Comprising 17,508 islands, it is the world’s largest archipelagic state. With a population of 222 million people in 2006, it is the world’s fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation, although officially it is not an Islamic state. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected parliament and president. The nation’s capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom formed trade links with China. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Under Indian influence, Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished from the early centuries CE. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia’s history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. As a unitary state and a nation, Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it. Indonesia’s national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika" ("Unity in Diversity" lit. "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. However, sectarian tensions and separatism have led to violent confrontations that have undermined political and economic stability. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia, is home to over 13 million people. Jakarta was the last Hindu kingdom of West Java when the Portugese arrived in 1522. They were driven out 5 years later by Muslim saint and leader Sunan Gunungjati, who renamed the city Jayakarta. In the 17th century the Dutch captured the city, fortified and walled it, and renamed it Batavia. Dutch colonial power came to an end after World War II when Soekarno declared the Republic of Indonesia. This time series of images shows the growth of the city from 1976 (6 million) to 1989 (9 million) to 2004 (13 million).

This is an actual twilight shot of my hometown, Jakarta, Indonesia. Overseas travellers (mostly kwai-lohs) may only know Bali in relation to Indonesia without ever knowing that Jakarta is the capital city of this archipelago of more than 17,508 islands.Alot of my Australian colleagues heard very little about it, and once asked me if Jakarta is comparable to Baghdad, or if it has a branch of KFC, or it has a building more than 3 storeys. I was abit furious. We might be classified as a third-world country, but if you ever landed in Jakarta, you’ll be shock. Yes, the traffic is hopeless, the politics are unstable, the pollution is unbearable, the service is slow, but it is by no means undeveloped. The gap between the rich and poor is humongous, i must say: a few meters from first-grade skyscrapers, 5 star hotels, traffic and swankiest malls of a gargantuan size with a traffic of Mercedes, you’ll find slump area where people still bath on polluted rivers. Another interesting facts: Jakarta also has 2 Hyatt hotels, 2 ultra-luxury Ritz Carlton hotels with the world’s largest standard room size (at 63 & 73m2), the largest upmarket shopping mall in Southeast Asia (Grand Indonesia Mall), and it will soon houses the region’s first Harvey Nicholls, straight from London. Jakarta has almost fully awaken from its dormancy during the great Asian crisis post 1997.Oh by the way, the building in the middle is my favourite: Wisma 46, which is the current tallest building in Indonesia at 250m, 50 storey. At the top floor lies one of my favourite dining establishments: Cilantro, a modern Asian bistro with commanding view of downtown Jakarta. The price surprisingly is very friendly to the pocket!.