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The Republic of Indonesia, which is also located in Southeast Asia, is the world’s largest archipelagic state. It is also the world’s fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation and the third largest democracy in the world behind India and the United States. It is Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

The Indonesian archipelago has been a significant trade region since the early seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom traded with China and India. The early rulers gradually adopted Indian cultural and religious models from the early centuries, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Since then Indonesia has been heavily influenced by the foreign powers that have been drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku for nutmeg, clove and other valuable spices during the Age of Discovery. After Three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia became independent after World War II.

Students will notice that Indonesia has a large variety of ethnic groups. Many of these ethnic groups have been influenced by Indian, Chinese, Arabic, and European sources. The lessons to be learned from Indonesia are many for American students. They will see that democracy and Islam cannot only survive together but thrive. They will also see that a country can actually draw its strength from its vast diversity. There are over 250 distinct languages spoken throughout the country. Indonesia is a beautiful country both socially and physically. Terraced rice paddies in Central Java and on Bali sit against a beautiful lush tropical green. And the Indonesians are always ready to greet you with a smile and a willingness to engage you in a conversation. They want you to know who they are and what an amazing country they have created over the past 60 years.

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