Indonesia Indonesia is a beautiful country with astonishing simplicity, but what really makes it up? In this essay, you will learn everything from Indonesian government to etiquette, history to clothing, land to traditions, and everything in between. In the early 17th century, the Dutch began to colonize the country of Indonesia. After the surrender of Japan, Indonesia declared its independence on 7 August 1945 and was recognized as independent by the Netherlands on 27 December 1949. After decades of restrictive rules, free and fair legislative elections (CIA) were held in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's third most populous democracy, the largest water-bound state in the world, and is also home to the world's largest Muslim population. Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia and is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Indonesia has a total area of ​​1,904,569 square kilometers and is less than three times the size of Texas (CIA). The climate is hot and humid; however, more temperate in the highlands. Some natural hazards include severe droughts, occasional floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, and the possibility of volcanic eruptions. Indonesia has the most volcanoes of any country in the world. Approximately 76 volcanoes are historically active, and a significant amount of volcanic activity occurs on Java, West Sumatra, the islands of Halmahera, Sangihe, and Sulawesi. The total population of Indonesia is 248,845,008 people with a population growth rate of 103% per year. This population is made up of many different ethnic groups, such as the Javanese, who make up the majority of the population. The Sundanese, Madurese, Minangkabau, Betawi, Bugis, Banten and Banjar are others...... half of the document......4 Tsunamis in the Indian Ocean." Do Something. Np, nd Web. 23 February 2013. indian-ocean-tsunami>. “Clothing in Indonesia”. -history>. "Chronology and facts of Indonesian history".. 2013. .