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Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of thousands of islands, making it one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world. Its distribution and size of islands have unique characteristics that influence its culture, economy, and environment.
Number of Islands
Indonesia has approximately 17,500 islands, of which around 6,000 are inhabited. The country’s islands vary greatly in size, from large landmasses to tiny islets.
Largest Islands
The five largest islands are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea). Java is the most populous island, hosting over half of Indonesia’s population.
Geographical Size
Indonesia spans approximately 1.9 million square kilometers, making it the world’s largest island country. Its vast size covers a wide range of climates and ecosystems, from tropical rainforests to volcanic mountains.
Island Distribution
The islands are spread across the equator, stretching over 5,000 kilometers from west to east. The distribution is uneven, with a dense concentration of islands in the western part near Sumatra and Java, and more dispersed islands in the eastern regions.