Pre-Travel Knowledge
The more I read about Indonesia, the more I recognize how little I know about this vast archipelago in the South Pacific. It seems that the islands stretch over 3000 miles, and straddle the equator. The country seems like a collection of islands with different peoples, cultures, and over 200 different languages. The Indonesian encounters with the Western World began with Marco Polo, and then it was the site of at least a stopover on Ferdinand Magellan's ill fated voyage circumnavigating the globe. Sir Francis Drake, The English pirate robbed, pillaged and plundered his way through Indonesia, and soon the Dutch and The Dutch East Indies Company discovered the value of Indonesia as the "Spice Islands." Nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves upgraded the palates of Europeans, and made The Dutch East Indies Company a fortune. Once Europeans colonized the islands, they brought their attitudes of paternalism, superiority, and racism. The trials and tribulations of European imperialism, almost brought Indonesia to it's knees. I read that at the end of World War II, only 7% of the population was literate, and Indonesia was one of the poorest countries on earth. After, being taken over by Japan in The War of the Pacific, and a rout with communism, Indonesia finally gained it's independence.
Unfortunately, Indonesia has been plagued by mostly incompetent governments, and an economic financial collapse of it's currency. It has only been in the last decade that the government has strived to increase the prosperity of it's people. Today, Indonesia has one of the fastest growing economies on earth, and is following in the footsteps of the economic miracles of China and India.
Unfortunately, Indonesia has been plagued by mostly incompetent governments, and an economic financial collapse of it's currency. It has only been in the last decade that the government has strived to increase the prosperity of it's people. Today, Indonesia has one of the fastest growing economies on earth, and is following in the footsteps of the economic miracles of China and India.