Indonesia Facts For Kids

Here are fun and interesting Indonesia Facts which were chosen and researched by children especially for children.

Indonesia Facts | Country Facts

• Population: 280 million inhabitants (2023)
• Capital city: Jakarta – about 11 million inhabitants
• Official Name: Republic of Indonesia

• Government: Presidential constitutional republic
• Language: Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)

• Religion: mainly Islam (87%), Christians (10%), Hindus (1.7%)
• Currency: 1 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR): 1 USD equals about 14,000 IDR (January 2021)
• National Symbols: Garuda pancasila (mythical golden bird with a shield gripping a white ribbon)
• National Motto: Bhinekka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) 
• National Day: Independence Day: 17 August
• National Anthem: Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia)
• History: Indonesia used to be a collection of kingdoms located on the Indonesian Archipelago before they were united under the rule of the Majapahit Empire. This was a Hindu-Buddhis kingdom and ruled for a good few hundred years until the 13th century when Muslim traders came to the empire. Seeing their kindness and honesty in business, the locals began accepting Islam. This is why Indonesia is a Muslim majority country, but still retains a lot of old Hindu-Buddhist monuments and buildings. Indonesia was colonised by four countries, but most notably the Dutch and the Japanese. The Dutch had control for well over 300 years, while the Japanese a mere three years. Indonesia gained its independence on 17 August 1945.