Indonesia, richly endowed with natural resources and hosting a phenomenal array of distinct cultures, for centuries. Indonesia achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1949. . On 30 August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East Timor was provisionally adopted. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state.

PEOPLE
Indonesia's 210 million people make it the world's fourth-most populous nation. The island of Java is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with more than 107 million people living in an area the size of New York State. Indonesia includes numerous related but distinct cultural and linguistic groups, many of which are ethnically Malay.

HISTORY
By the time of the Renaissance, the islands of Java and Sumatra had already enjoyed a 1,000-year heritage of advanced civilization spanning two major empires. During the 7th-14th centuries, the Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya flourished on Sumatra. At its peak, the Srivijaya Empire reached as far as West Java and the Malay Peninsula.

ECONOMY
Indonesia has a market-based economy in which the government plays a significant role. It owns more than 164 state-owned enterprises and administers prices on several basic goods, including fuel, rice, and electricity. In the aftermath of the 1997-98 financial crisis, the government took custody of significant portion of private sector assets through acquisition of non-performing bank loans and corporate assets through the debt restructuring process.

U.S.-INDONESIAN RELATIONS
The United States has important economic, commercial, and security interests in Indonesia. Indonesia remains a linchpin of regional security due to its strategic location astride a number of key international maritime straits. Relations between Indonesia and the United States are good.

Full country name: Republic of Indonesia
Area: 1.91 million sq km
Population: 234.89 million
Capital City: Jakarta (pop 9.3 million)
People: There are around 300 ethnic and tribal groups. The principal ones are Acehnese, Bataks, Minangkabaus (Sumatra); Javanese, Sundanese (Java); Balinese (Bali); Sasaks (Lombok); and Dani (Papua)
Language: Indonesian, English, Javanese, Sundanese
Religion: 88% Muslim, 8% Christian, 2% Hindu
Government: Republic
Head of State: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
GDP: US$173 billion
GDP per capita: US$807
Annual Growth: -4%
Inflation: 11.9%
Major Industries: Oil, gas, textiles, timber, coffee, rubber, coal, tin, copper, rice, pepper, palm oil
Major Trading Partners: Japan, USA, Singapore