With over 18,000 islands, travellers should expect
the unexpected in Indonesia: landscapes, plants, flowers,
fauna, discover some of the ecological wonders of the
world's largest archipelago. No doubt: Indonesia
is a paradise for nature-lovers...
Do you know that Indonesia
has year-round snowy mountain?
The Province of Papua (ex-Irian Jaya) has the
seventh highest mountain in the world, the Mount Jaya
Wijaya. The temperature averages there minus 5°C.
Cold enough to have all year-round snow on the mountain
and to set up a world’s record: to be the world’s
largest snow area under the Equator.
Do you know a lake born
from a volcano?
Situated at 906 m above the sea level, the majestic
Lake Toba (North Sumatra) is the deepest lake in the
world at over 450 meters and is also Southeast Asia
largest lake with a surface area of about 1,145 km_.
It was born from a cataclysmic volcanic eruption during
the prehistoric time. The large cliffs surrounding today
the lake are parts of the volcano which dropped into
the water. Intriguing is Samosir island in the middle
of the Lake -an island bigger than Singapore-and the
centre of the Batak community.
Do you know the world’s
largest flowers?
With 40,000 species of flowering plants, including 3,000
trees and 5,000 orchids, Indonesia has a greater variety
of flora than the tropical regions of Africa or the
Americas. Among all species, the most spectacular flower
is without doubt the Rafflesia Arnoldii, growing in
the rainforests of Sumatra and Kalimantan. It can grow
to a meter and weigh up to 7 kilos! It is a parasitic
plant, with no visible leaves, roots or stem. Another
large flower found in Indonesia is the Titan arum, also
called "corpse flower" for its unpleasant
odour. The plant can reach heights of 2.2 to 3.5 meters
and weights up to 80 kg!
Do you know all the animals
to be only observed in Indonesia?
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The Javan hawk-eagle is Indonesia’s
official symbol. This unique bird, of which only
200 to 300 are still recorded, lives in the tropical
lowland forest and rain forests in Java. It is today
an endangered species and increasing measures have
been undertaken to ensure its survival. |
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The Java rhinoceros living today
only in Ujung Kulon National Park, on the Western
tips of Java island. It is the last habitat on earth
for 50 to 60 remaining animals. A permit is necessary
to have access to the park. |
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The Orang Utan, the largest tree
living mammal, is now a protected species living
exclusively on Kalimantan (Borneo) and in Sumatra.
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The Proboscis, a monkey with a
long fleshy nose, living in Kalimantan. |
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The Siamangs or black gibbons
living in Sumatra. |
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The Tarsier, dubbed as one of
the smallest primates as it measures only 20 cm,
living on Sulawesi island. |
Do you know where to meet prehistoric living animals?
Located between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa, Komodo
Island in East Nusa Tengara is home to the last giant
reptile, the Komodo Dragon. It is today the world’s
largest lizard able to reach a size of 3 to 4 meters
and has been living on the island for over 500,000 years.
Komodo is today a National Park.
Do you know that some 10 percent
of the world's remaining tropical forest is found in
Indonesia, which has a total forest area of more than
225,000,000 acres?
The Gunung Leuser National park in Sumatra is one of
the largest tropical rainforest in Indonesia (835,500
ha) with over 2,000 flora species and a Biosphere Reserve.
The park includes an animal Rehabilitation Centre (orang-utans,
gibbons, tigers, monkeys, elephants, leopards, Sumatran
rhino).
