The first generation of Polaroid Eyewear‘s ‘Best Under the Sun’ collection was launched earlier this year with 10 original designs for sunglasses from the 30′s to the 80′s. The second collection is due to be released in spring 2012, also featuring unique models of past releases. This nostalgia will be offset by the Signature Collection, a design contest launching globally in spring 2013, which calls for submissions of new designs.

Entrants have the chance to become an official designer of a pair of sunglasses for the collection. Designs will be judged by a public online vote on Polaroid’s Facebook page and an internal jury. The 10 winning designers will have their name’s featured in the product’s description, will be entitled to royalties on the sale of their design and win a trip to present their design at the prestigious MIDO optical show in Milan.

Adolfo Domínguez AD14229512

Armand Basi AB12229535

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada AR21224215

Sunglasses are commonly used accessories by many people. Apart from for aesthetic reasons, you must choose good quality solar filters to protect your eyes from solar radiation. So, when you are about to choose a pair of sunglasses, your main aims should always be to protect your eyes and to get good visual quality without losing the style that best suits you.

Guy Laroche GL36075523

Lois LS30122592

Pedro del Hierro PH27151521

The most popular sun protection filters are shades of brown, grey or green tints and these are classified into 5 categories which facilitate identifying the recommended use of each one: 0 to 2 is for cosmetic use; category 3 is for general use; and 4 is intended for special use. Furthermore, if they are polarized lenses, they help to reduce the glare from the light, eliminating reflections from flat surfaces such as asphalt on roads, water, sand, ice and snow.

In any case, the colour of the glass combined with a filter function and appropriate use, mean you can control the solar radiation to which your vision is exposed. Therefore, it is recommended that sunglasses are only bought from opticians. Opticians are able to give you advice when you buy your sunglasses and they guarantee the minimum requirements of visual quality, complying with European law.

Roberto Verino RV32136203

U de Adolfo Domínguez UA15214612

Victorio & Lucchino VL16246223

2nd junio 2011 Adolfo Dominguez, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Armand Basi, Armand Basi, Gaudí Concept, Guy Laroche, Lois, Press Releases, Roberto Verino, U by Adolfo Dominguez, Victorio & Lucchino

Eye Respect
Edmund “Eddie” Jordan also known as “EJ” is the founder and owner of Jordan Grand Prix, a F1 constructor which operated from 1991 to 2005.
He is currently the lead analyst for F1 coverage on the BBC.
EJ supports and exclusively wears sunglasses and glasses from Eye Respect Ltd, who constantly keep him updated with current trends to match his unique look and to suit his very busy professional lifestyle.
Whether in corporate meetings, out on his yacht, playing golf, on the slopes, gigging with his band, commentating for the BBC, at Formula 1 races or out on the town with his family and friends, you will see EJ wearing Eye Respect products.
Below, EJ wearing ”Ice Prince”, from the latest alpine range by Le Specs, launching on 1 September 2011, here at Eye Respect Ltd.

Married to Marie, the couple have four children. Their main base is in Monaco where Jordan keeps his personal helicopter, and he has homes in Wentworth, London and Dalkey.
Eddie and Marie have four grown-up children: Zoe (30), Miki (28), Zak (24) & Kyle (22). Eddie and Marie have always been keen golfers, with Marie playing off a 5 handicap and being the Ladies Captain Elect of Sunningdale Golf Club. Eddie also has a huge passion for football. Through his fund raising efforts, Eddie has become a keen cyclist and has led many group cycle trips around the world for CLIC Sargent (eg Cuba, Kenya, China, Vietnam, and the Red Sea to the Dead Sea). He can often be seen cycling around the streets of London between meetings. However Eddie’s real passion now is his music and when he needs to relax you will see him locked in a room with his drumkit. If this isn’t enough Eddie is a keen sailor and has formed a unique, long standing and successful relationship with Sunseeker.
Eddie Jordan has always been a huge music fan and currently plays in a four piece band, irreverently named Eddie & the Robbers as well as an acoustic 3 piece band called FTB. The band evolved through Eddie jamming at events like the British Grand Prix and this has grown into a serious outfit with reputable musicians alongside Eddie guaranteeing great music, craic and fun.
Eddie & The Robbers have previously headlined on the Pet Sounds Stage at T in the Park and performed for thousands of music fans at the Isle of Wight Festival. They also perform at Windsor and at many other charity events. During a recent gig for Amber Rocks, Eddie jammed together with Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Mike Rutherford (Genesis), and Roger Daltry (The Who). Eddie has also played with Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, Roger Taylor, the Stereophonics and Boyzone amongst others.
Below, EJ wearing ” The Revolver” model, colour peacock from Le Specs, which change colour from blue to purple, a big hit in Australia and now available at Eye Respect Ltd.

LENS MATERIALS

Acrylic Lenses
Optical quality decentred lenses providing maximum ultra-violet protection in compliance with international sunglass standards. Used on Le Specs two-piece lens styles.
Polarised lenses.

Polycarbonate Lenses
Optical quality decentred lenses providing maximum ultraviolet protection in compliance with international sunglass standards. Lightweight and 20 times more impact resistant than glass. Used on Le Specs shield one-piece styles.
Polarised lenses.

FRAME MATERIALS

Cellulose Propionate
Hypoallergenic, lightweight and durable plastic material. Used on selected Le Specs plastic frame styles

Polycarbonate
Extremely impact resistant, durable and lightweight plastic material. Used on selected Le Specs plastic frame styles

Nylon
Lightweight & flexible plastic material providing maximum comfort. Used on Le Specs
‘Le Fine’ frames.

Nickel
Extremely durable and flexible metal material with hypoallergenic nickel-free coated finish. Used on all Le Specs metal frame style

Website is : eye respect

Eye Respect Ltd.
The AgenC Ltd.
4 Oakdene Avenue
Thames Ditton
KT7 0AY

Le Specs’ success was testament to its supersexy styling and its ability to keep up with current trends, at the same time maintaining an aesthetic all of its own. The Le Specs name garnered a cult following not only as the must-have eyewear accessory, but as a true trend-setter in the wider fashion industry.

Re-launched in 2006 after a 20 year vacation, the iconic Australian sunglass label is renowned for its fashion-forward and innovative designs at a price that won’t break the budget. Defined by the reinvention of classic shapes, Le Specs has forged a position in the marketplace as the leading youth-driven, fashionforward brand. In addition to design, the focus has been creating a Le Specs lifestyle through its ad campaigns, and aligning itself with the summer music festival circuit.

Now stocked in leading fashion retailers throughout Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, Germany, China and Canada the Le Specs journey continues.

For anyone born prior to 1985, Le Specs would have been a a household name. Le Specs fast became synonymous with all things ‘Euro Chic’ and the sunglass brand du-jour to own for every beach combing 80′s Australian.

With the ubiquitious tag line ‘Le Specs, Le Tough’, the Le Specs brand became and icon for its time in the mid 1980′s – the sunglasses were unbreakable, the product unmistakable.

Re-launched in 2006 after a 20 year vacation, the iconic sunglass label once again became renowned for its fashion-forward and innovative designs at an affordable price.

Always conscious of the latest brands and trends Le Specs consumer seeks unique styling to express their personality. They mix high-end pieces with affordable brands liks Le Specs – at this price they can afford to have a few pairs of sunnies each season.

Young in age or young at heard, the Le Specs consumer is both male and female, and the range offers unisex styles that can be worn anywhere from music festivals to lazy days at the beach.

LENS MATERIALS

Acrylic Lenses
Optical quality decentred lenses providing maximum ultra-violet protection in compliance with international sunglass standards. Used on Le Specs two-piece lens styles.

Polycarbonate Lenses
Optical quality decentred lenses providing maximum ultraviolet protection in compliance with international sunglass standards. Lightweight and 20 times more impact resistant than glass. Used on Le Specs shield one-piece styles.

FRAME MATERIALS

Cellulose Propionate
Hypoallergenic, lightweight and durable plastic material. Used on selected Le Specs plastic frame styles

Polycarbonate
Extremely impact resistant, durable and lightweight plastic material. Used on selected Le Specs plastic frame styles

Nylon
Lightweight & flexible plastic material providing maximum comfort. Used on Le Specs
‘Le Fine’ frames.

Nickel
Extremely durable and flexible metal material with hypoallergenic nickel-free coated finish. Used on all Le Specs metal frame styles.

The new Le Specs Summer 2011 collection introduces a series of smaller frames in satin and distressed finishes, styles including Lost Boys and Art Deco. Pairing luxury
details of soft gold with tough extremes of heavy-black metals and sharp edges, highlight styles include Angular Symphony, Acid Double and Al Capone.

The Le Specs Summer 2011 campaign, shot by photographer David Mandelberg, captured the mood of the collection and the new season styles in the recreation of a 90’s
Miami Beach scene, set on location in Sydney.

Taking fun and fashion to another dimension, leading Australian eyewear label, Le Specs, has released its Summer 2010 range – the LE LUNAR COLLECTION.

The 50 piece sci-fi-esque range incorporates strong contrasts between high gloss and matte finish frames, paired with both dark solid and iridescent reflective lenses.
“The collection this year is all about tough angles and highly reflective finishes“, says Le Specs designer, Hamish Tame.“We’ve taken classic eyewear silhouettes and reworked them with a series of
lunar textures and effects. Overall the range this season feels more futuristic. We have included a lot of new metal applications – styles like Moonwalk with a super-flat top bar and sleek metal
detailing. The eyewear market has been so plastic-heavy for the last few years, so the new metal styles feel so different and exciting.“

The Le Fine Collection will also debut in this year’s collection. The six piece capsule range of lightweight superfine nylon aviators includes two styles – Sir Marvelous and
Lord Curious – both available in a range of textured galaxy effects.

Despite its affordability and attainability, Le Specs is positioned as a fashion brand. Le Specs is represented by leading PR specialists globally and featured alongside leading
fashion and luxury brands in magazines and on-line around the world.

Jonathan van Blerk
Executive Director
Eye Respect Ltd.
Executive Director
The AgenC Ltd.
4 Oakdene Avenue
Thames Ditton
KT7 0AY
United Kingdom

INSTALLING SUMMER.. ███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: Season not found.”

wwweyerespect.com

” Eye love glasses, Eye love sunglasses, Eye have a dream… ” – Eye Respect Ltd. ——————————————————————–
Eye Respect Ltd is the exclusive distributor of Le Specs Sunglasses,Ksubi Sunglasses and Ksubi Optical Frames in The United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada and Southern Africa.

And our Facebook page is:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Eye-Respect-Ltd/124232110990426

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-AgenC-Ltd/46893972570

Well, after launching Oko by Oko PARIS at Optrafir 2011 it is back to our day job and can’t wait to get on with things.
Jeremy Thomas- Sales Manager at The AgenC

Jeremy Thomas- Sales Manager at The AgenC

Anything needed for Andy Wolf, Monoqool or Oko by Oko PARIS please do not hesitate to contact us.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica
Alonso Edward of Panama was second, a massive .62 seconds behind. Wallace Spearmon of the United States took bronze.
Defending champion Tyson Gay was out with an injury.

Mykita Glasses, Mykita Ireland, Mykita South Africa, Mykita Sunglasses, Mykita United Kingdom- Mykita UK, 100m, 200m, berlin, Mykita Glasses, The AgenC, Usain Bolt, world champs

Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation’s capital city is Jakarta. The transcontinental country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually adopted Indian cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia’s history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it. Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika“ (“Unity in Diversity” literally, “many, yet one”), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. However, sectarian tensions and separatism have led to violent confrontations that have undermined political and economic stability. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia.

[edit] Etymology

The name Indonesia derives from the Latin Indus, meaning “India”, and the Greek nesos, meaning “island”.^[4] The name dates to the 18th century, far predating the formation of independent Indonesia.^[5] In 1850, George Earl, an English ethnologist, proposed the terms Indunesians — and, his preference, Malayunesians — for the inhabitants of the “Indian Archipelago or Malayan Archipelago”.^[6] In the same publication, a student of Earl’s, James Richardson Logan, used Indonesia as a synonym for Indian Archipelago.^[7] However, Dutch academics writing in East Indies publications were reluctant to use Indonesia. Instead, they used the terms Malay Archipelago (Maleische Archipel); the Netherlands East Indies (Nederlandsch Oost Indië), popularly Indië; the East (de Oost); and even Insulinde.^[8]

From 1900, the name Indonesia became more common in academic circles outside the Netherlands, and Indonesian nationalist groups adopted it for political expression.^[9] Adolf Bastian, of the University of Berlin, popularized the name through his book Indonesien oder die Inseln des Malayischen Archipels, 1884–1894. The first Indonesian scholar to use the name was Suwardi Suryaningrat (Ki Hajar Dewantara), when he established a press bureau in the Netherlands with the name Indonesisch Pers-bureau in 1913.^[5]

[edit] History

As early as the first century CE Indonesian vessels made trade voyages as far as Africa. Picture: a ship carved on Borobudur, circa 800 CE.

Fossilized remains of Homo erectus, popularly known as the “Java Man“, suggest that the Indonesian archipelago was inhabited two million to 500,000 years ago.^[10] Austronesian people, who form the majority of the modern population, migrated to South East Asia from Taiwan. They arrived in Indonesia around 2000 BCE, and confined the native Melanesian peoples to the far eastern regions as they expanded.^[11] Ideal agricultural conditions, and the mastering of wet-field rice cultivation as early as the eighth century BCE,^[12] allowed villages, towns, and small kingdoms to flourish by the first century CE. Indonesia’s strategic sea-lane position fostered inter-island and international trade. For example, trade links with both Indian kingdoms and China were established several centuries BCE.^[13] Trade has since fundamentally shaped Indonesian history.^[14]

The nutmeg plant is native to Indonesia’s Banda Islands. Once one of the world’s most valuable commodities, it drew the first European colonial powers to Indonesia.

From the seventh century CE, the powerful Srivijaya naval kingdom flourished as a result of trade and the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism that were imported with it.^[15] Between the eighth and 10th centuries CE, the agricultural Buddhist Sailendra and Hindu Mataram dynasties thrived and declined in inland Java, leaving grand religious monuments such as Sailendra’s Borobudur and Mataram’s Prambanan. The Hindu Majapahit kingdom was founded in eastern Java in the late 13th century, and under Gajah Mada, its influence stretched over much of Indonesia; this period is often referred to as a “Golden Age” in Indonesian history.^[16]

Although Muslim traders first traveled through South East Asia early in the Islamic era, the earliest evidence of Islamized populations in Indonesia dates to the 13th century in northern Sumatra.^[17] Other Indonesian areas gradually adopted Islam, and it was the dominant religion in Java and Sumatra by the end of the 16th century. For the most part, Islam overlaid and mixed with existing cultural and religious influences, which shaped the predominant form of Islam in Indonesia, particularly in Java.^[18] The first Europeans arrived in Indonesia in 1512, when Portuguese traders, led by Francisco Serrão, sought to monopolize the sources of nutmeg, cloves, and cubeb pepper in Maluku.^[19] Dutch and British traders followed. In 1602 the Dutch established the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and became the dominant European power. Following bankruptcy, the VOC was formally dissolved in 1800, and the government of the Netherlands established the Dutch East Indies as a nationalized colony.^[19]

For most of the colonial period, Dutch control over these territories was tenuous; only in the early 20th century did Dutch dominance extend to what was to become Indonesia’s current boundaries.^[20] The Japanese invasion and subsequent occupation during World War II^[21] ended Dutch rule,^[22] and encouraged the previously suppressed Indonesian independence movement.^[23] Two days after the surrender of Japan in August 1945, Sukarno, an influential nationalist leader, declared independence and was appointed president.^[24] The Netherlands tried to reestablish their rule, and an armed and diplomatic struggle ended in December 1949, when in the face of international pressure, the Dutch formally recognized Indonesian independence^[25] (with the exception of The Dutch territory of West New Guinea, which was incorporated following the 1962 New York Agreement, and UN-mandated Act of Free Choice).^[26]

Sukarno, Indonesia’s founding president

Sukarno moved from democracy towards authoritarianism, and maintained his power base by balancing the opposing forces of the Military, and the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI).^[27] An attempted coup on 30 September 1965 was countered by the army, who led a violent anti-communist purge, during which the PKI was blamed for the coup and effectively destroyed.^[28] Between 500,000 and one million people were killed.^[29] The head of the military, General Suharto, out-maneuvered the politically weakened Sukarno, and was formally appointed president in March 1968. His New Order administration^[30] was supported by the US government,^[31] and encouraged foreign direct investment in Indonesia, which was a major factor in the subsequent three decades of substantial economic growth.^[32] However, the authoritarian “New Order” was widely accused of corruption and suppression of political opposition.

In 1997 and 1998, Indonesia was the country hardest hit by the Asian Financial Crisis.^[33] This increased popular discontent with the New Order^[34] and led to popular protests. Suharto resigned on 21 May 1998.^[35] In 1999, East Timor voted to secede from Indonesia, after a twenty-five-year military occupation that was marked by international condemnation of often brutal repression of the East Timorese.^[36] Since Suharto’s resignation, a strengthening of democratic processes has included a regional autonomy program, and the first direct presidential election in 2004. Political and economic instability, social unrest, corruption, and terrorism have slowed progress. Although relations among different religious and ethnic groups are largely harmonious, acute sectarian discontent and violence remain problems in some areas.^[37] A political settlement to an armed separatist conflict in Aceh was achieved in 2005.^[38]

[edit] Government and politics

Indonesia is a republic with a presidential system. As a unitary state, power is concentrated in the central government. Following the resignation of President Suharto in 1998, Indonesian political and governmental structures have undergone major reforms. Four amendments to the 1945 Constitution of Indonesia^[39] have revamped the executive, judicial, and legislative branches.^[40] The president of Indonesia is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the director of domestic governance, policy-making, and foreign affairs. The president appoints a council of ministers, who are not required to be elected members of the legislature. The 2004 presidential election was the first in which the people directly elected the president and vice president.^[41] The president may serve a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms.^[42]

A session of the People’s Representative Council in Jakarta

The highest representative body at national level is the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). Its main functions are supporting and amending the constitution, inaugurating the president, and formalizing broad outlines of state policy. It has the power to impeach the president.^[43] The MPR comprises two houses; the People’s Representative Council (DPR), with 550 members, and the Regional Representative Council (DPD), with 128 members. The DPR passes legislation and monitors the executive branch; party-aligned members are elected for five-year terms by proportional representation.^[40] Reforms since 1998 have markedly increased the DPR’s role in national governance.^[44] The DPD is a new chamber for matters of regional management.^[45]

Most civil disputes appear before a State Court; appeals are heard before the High Court. The Supreme Court is the country’s highest court, and hears final cassation appeals and conducts case reviews. Other courts include the Commercial Court, which handles bankruptcy and insolvency; a State Administrative Court to hear administrative law cases against the government; a Constitutional Court to hear disputes concerning legality of law, general elections, dissolution of political parties, and the scope of authority of state institutions; and a Religious Court to deal with specific religious cases.^[46]

[edit] Foreign relations and military

In contrast to Sukarno’s anti-imperialistic antipathy to western powers and tensions with Malaysia, Indonesia’s foreign relations since the Suharto “New Order” have been based on economic and political cooperation with Western nations.^[47] Indonesia maintains close relationships with its neighbors in Asia, and is a founding member of ASEAN and the East Asia Summit.^[48] The nation restored relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1990 following a freeze in place since anti-communist purges early in the Suharto era.^[46] Indonesia has been a member of the United Nations since 1950,^[49] and was a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).^[48] Indonesia is signatory to the ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement, the Cairns Group, and the WTO, and has historically been a member of OPEC, although it is withdrawing as of 2008 as it is no longer a net exporter of oil. Indonesia has received humanitarian and development aid since 1966, in particular from the United States, western Europe, Australia, and Japan.^[48]

National flags at the site of the 2002 terrorist bombing in Kuta, Bali

The Indonesian Government has worked with other countries to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of major bombings linked to militant Islamism and Al-Qaeda.^[50] The deadliest killed 202 people (including 164 international tourists) in the Bali resort town of Kuta in 2002.^[51] The attacks, and subsequent travel warnings issued by other countries, severely damaged Indonesia’s tourism industry and foreign investment prospects.^[52]

Indonesia’s 300,000-member armed forces (TNI) include the Army (TNI–AD), Navy (TNI–AL, which includes marines), and Air Force (TNI–AU).^[53] The army has about 233,000 active-duty personnel. Defense spending in the national budget was 4% of GDP in 2006, and is controversially supplemented by revenue from military commercial interests and foundations.^[54] In the post-Suharto period since 1998, formal TNI representation in parliament has been removed; though curtailed, its political influence remains extensive.^[55] Separatist movements in the provinces of Aceh and Papua have led to armed conflict, and subsequent allegations of human rights abuses and brutality from all sides.^[56] Following a sporadic thirty-year guerrilla war between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian military, a ceasefire agreement was reached in 2005.^[57] In Papua, there has been a significant, albeit imperfect, implementation of regional autonomy laws, and a reported decline in the levels of violence and human rights abuses, since the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.^[58]

[edit] Administrative divisions

Provinces of Indonesia

Administratively, Indonesia consists of 33 provinces, five of which have special status. Each province has its own political legislature and governor. The provinces are subdivided into regencies (kabupaten) and cities (kota), which are further subdivided into subdistricts (kecamatan), and again into village groupings (either desa or kelurahan). Following the implementation of regional autonomy measures in 2001, the regencies and cities have become the key administrative units, responsible for providing most government services. The village administration level is the most influential on a citizen’s daily life, and handles matters of a village or neighborhood through an elected lurah or kepala desa (village chief).

The provinces of Aceh, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Papua, and West Papua have greater legislative privileges and a higher degree of autonomy from the central government than the other provinces. The Acehnese government, for example, has the right to create an independent legal system; in 2003, it instituted a form of Sharia (Islamic law).^[59] Yogyakarta was granted the status of Special Region in recognition of its pivotal role in supporting Indonesian Republicans during the Indonesian Revolution.^[60] Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, was granted special autonomy status in 2001.^[61] Jakarta is the country’s special capital region.

Indonesian provinces and their capitals

(Indonesian name in brackets where different from English)
† indicates provinces with Special Status

[edit] Geography

Map of Indonesia

Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited.^[62] These are scattered over both sides of the equator. The five largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia on the islands of Borneo and Sebatik, Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea, and East Timor on the island of Timor. Indonesia also shares borders with Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to the north and Australia to the south across narrow straits of water. The capital, Jakarta, is on Java and is the nation’s largest city, followed by Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, and Semarang.^[63]

At 1,919,440 square kilometers (741,050 sq mi), Indonesia is the world’s 16th-largest country in terms of land area.^[64] Its average population density is 134 people per square kilometer (347 per sq mi), 79th in the world,^[65] although Java, the world’s most populous island,^[66] has a population density of 940 people per square kilometer (2,435 per sq mi). At 4,884 meters (16,024 ft), Puncak Jaya in Papua is Indonesia’s highest peak, and Lake Toba in Sumatra its largest lake, with an area of 1,145 square kilometers (442 sq mi). The country’s largest rivers are in Kalimantan, and include the Mahakam and Barito; such rivers are communication and transport links between the island’s river settlements.^[67]

Mount Semeru and Mount Bromo in East Java. Indonesia’s seismic and volcanic activity is among the world’s highest.

Indonesia’s location on the edges of the Pacific, Eurasian, and Australian tectonic plates makes it the site of numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Indonesia has at least 150 active volcanoes,^[68] including Krakatoa and Tambora, both famous for their devastating eruptions in the 19th century. The eruption of the Toba supervolcano, approximately 70,000 years ago, was one of the largest eruptions ever, and a global catastrophe. Recent disasters due to seismic activity include the 2004 tsunami that killed an estimated 167,736 in northern Sumatra,^[69] and the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006. However, volcanic ash is a major contributor to the high agricultural fertility that has historically sustained the high population densities of Java and Bali.^[70]

 Lying along the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate, with two distinct monsoonal wet and dry seasons. Average annual rainfall in the lowlands varies from 1,780–3,175 millimeters (70–125 in), and up to 6,100 millimeters (240 in) in mountainous regions. Mountainous areas—particularly in the west coast of Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua—receive the highest rainfall. Humidity is generally high, averaging about 80%. Temperatures vary little throughout the year; the average daily temperature range of Jakarta is 26–30 °C (79–86 °F).^[71]

[edit] Biota and environment

The critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan, a great ape endemic to Indonesia.

Indonesia’s size, tropical climate, and archipelagic geography, support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity (after Brazil),^[72] and its flora and fauna is a mixture of Asian and Australasian species.^[73] Once linked to the Asian mainland, the islands of the Sunda Shelf (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Bali) have a wealth of Asian fauna. Large species such as the tiger, rhinoceros, orangutan, elephant, and leopard, were once abundant as far east as Bali, but numbers and distribution have dwindled drastically. Forests cover approximately 60% of the country.^[74] In Sumatra and Kalimantan, these are predominantly of Asian species. However, the forests of the smaller, and more densely populated Java, have largely been removed for human habitation and agriculture. Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku—having been long separated from the continental landmasses—have developed their own unique flora and fauna.^[75] Papua was part of the Australian landmass, and is home to a unique fauna and flora closely related to that of Australia, including over 600 bird species.^[76]

Indonesia is second only to Australia in its degree of endemism, with 26% of its 1,531 species of bird and 39% of its 515 species of mammal being endemic.^[77] Indonesia’s 80,000 kilometers (50,000 mi) of coastline are surrounded by tropical seas that contribute to the country’s high level of biodiversity. Indonesia has a range of sea and coastal ecosystems, including beaches, sand dunes, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, sea grass beds, coastal mudflats, tidal flats, algal beds, and small island ecosystems.^[4] The British naturalist, Alfred Wallace, described a dividing line between the distribution and peace of Indonesia’s Asian and Australasian species.^[78] Known as the Wallace Line, it runs roughly north-south along the edge of the Sunda Shelf, between Kalimantan and Sulawesi, and along the deep Lombok Strait, between Lombok and Bali. West of the line the flora and fauna are more Asian; moving east from Lombok, they are increasingly Australian. In his 1869 book, The Malay Archipelago, Wallace described numerous species unique to the area.^[79] The region of islands between his line and New Guinea is now termed Wallacea.^[78]

Indonesia’s high population and rapid industrialization present serious environmental issues, which are often given a lower priority due to high poverty levels and weak, under-resourced governance.^[80] Issues include large-scale deforestation (much of it illegal) and related wildfires causing heavy smog over parts of western Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; over-exploitation of marine resources; and environmental problems associated with rapid urbanization and economic development, including air pollution, traffic congestion, garbage management, and reliable water and waste water services.^[80] Habitat destruction threatens the survival of indigenous and endemic species, including 140 species of mammals identified by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as threatened, and 15 identified as critically endangered, including the Sumatran Orangutan.^[81]

[edit] Economy

Using water buffalo to plough rice fields in Java. Agriculture has been the country’s largest employer for centuries.

Indonesia’s estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2007 is US$408 billion (US$1,038 bn PPP).^[82] In 2007, estimated nominal per capita GDP is US$1,812, and per capita GDP PPP was US$4,616 (International Dollars).^[83] The services sector is the economy’s largest and accounts for 45.3% of GDP (2005). This is followed by industry (40.7%) and agriculture (14.0%).^[84] However, agriculture employs more people than other sectors, accounting for 44.3% of the 95 million-strong workforce. This is followed by the services sector (36.9%) and industry (18.8%).^[85] Major industries include petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel, and mining. Major agricultural products include palm oil, rice, tea, coffee, spices, and rubber.

Indonesia’s main export markets (2005) are Japan (22.3%), the United States (13.9%), China (9.1%), and Singapore (8.9%). The major suppliers of imports to Indonesia are Japan (18.0%), China (16.1%), and Singapore (12.8%). In 2005, Indonesia ran a trade surplus with export revenues of US$83.64 billion and import expenditure of US$62.02 billion. The country has extensive natural resources, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper, and gold. Indonesia’s major imports include machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, and foodstuffs.^[86]

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the country’s largest commercial center

In the 1960s, the economy deteriorated drastically as a result of political instability, a young and inexperienced government, and ill-disciplined economic nationalism, which resulted in severe poverty and hunger.^[87] Following President Sukarno’s downfall in the mid-1960s, the New Order administration brought a degree of discipline to economic policy that quickly brought inflation down, stabilized the currency, rescheduled foreign debt, and attracted foreign aid and investment.^[88] Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s only member of OPEC, and the 1970s oil price raises provided an export revenue windfall that contributed to sustained high economic growth rates.^[89] Following further reforms in the late 1980s,^[90] foreign investment flowed into Indonesia, particularly into the rapidly developing export-oriented manufacturing sector, and from 1989 to 1997, the Indonesian economy grew by an average of over 7%.^[91]

Indonesia was the country hardest hit by the East Asian financial crisis of 1997–98. Against the US dollar, the currency dropped from about Rp. 2,000 to Rp. 18,000, and the economy shrank by 13.7%.^[92] The rupiah has since stabilized at around Rp. 10,000, and there has been a slow but significant economic recovery. Political instability since 1998, slow economic reform, and corruption at all levels of government and business, have contributed to the patchy nature of the recovery.^[93] Transparency International ranked Indonesia 143rd out of 180 countries in its 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index.^[94] GDP growth, however, exceeded 5% in both 2004 and 2005, and is forecast to increase further.^[95] This growth rate, however, is not enough to make a significant impact on unemployment,^[96] and stagnant wages growth and increases in fuel and rice prices have worsened poverty levels.^[97] As of 2006, an estimated 17.8% of the population live below the poverty line, 49.0% of the population live on less than US$2 per day,^[98] and unemployment rate at 9.75%.^[99]

[edit] Demographics

The national population from the 2000 national census is 206 million,^[100] and the Indonesian Central Statistics Bureau and Statistics Indonesia estimate a population of 222 million for 2006.^[101] 130 million people live on the island of Java, the world’s most populous island.^[102] Despite a fairly effective family planning program that has been in place since the 1960s, the population is expected to grow to around 315 million by 2035, based on the current estimated annual growth rate of 1.25%.^[103]

A Minangkabau woman in traditional dress

Most Indonesians are descendant from Austronesian-speaking peoples who originated from Taiwan. The other major grouping are Melanesians, who inhabit eastern Indonesia.^[104] There are around 300 distinct native ethnicities in Indonesia, and 742 different languages and dialects.^[105] The largest is the Javanese, who comprise 42% of the population, and are politically and culturally dominant.^[106] The Sundanese, ethnic Malays, and Madurese are the largest non-Javanese groups.^[107] A sense of Indonesian nationhood exists alongside strongly maintained regional identities.^[108] Society is largely harmonious, although social, religious and ethnic tensions have triggered horrendous violence.^[109] Chinese Indonesians are an influential ethnic minority comprising less than 1% of the population.^[110] Much of the country’s privately owned commerce and wealth is Chinese-controlled,^[111] which has contributed to considerable resentment, and even anti-Chinese violence.^[112]

The official national language, Indonesian, is universally taught in schools, and is spoken by nearly every Indonesian. It is the language of business, politics, national media, education, and academia. It was originally a lingua franca for most of the region, including present-day Malaysia, and is thus closely related to Malay. Indonesian was first promoted by nationalists in the 1920s, and declared the official language on independence in 1945. Most Indonesians speak at least one of the several hundred local languages (bahasa daerah), often as their first language. Of these, Javanese is the most widely spoken as the language of the largest ethnic group.^[86] On the other hand, Papua has 500 or more indigenous Papuan and Austronesian languages, in a region of just 2.7 million people. Much of the older population can still speak a level of Dutch.^[113]

The Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta

Although religious freedom is stipulated in the Indonesian constitution,^[114] the government officially recognizes only six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.^[115] Although it is not an Islamic state, Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, with almost 86.1% of Indonesians declared Muslim according to the 2000 census.^[86] 8.7% of the population is Christian,^[116] 3% are Hindu, and 1.8% Buddhist or other. Most Indonesian Hindus are Balinese,^[117] and most Buddhists in modern-day Indonesia are ethnic Chinese.^[118] Though now minority religions, Hinduism and Buddhism remain defining influences in Indonesian culture. Islam was first adopted by Indonesians in northern Sumatra in the 13th century, through the influence of traders, and became the country’s dominant religion by the 16th century.^[119] Roman Catholicism was brought to Indonesia by early Portuguese colonialists and missionaries,^[120] and the Protestant denominations are largely a result of Dutch Calvinist and Lutheran missionary efforts during the country’s colonial period.^[121] A large proportion of Indonesians—such as the Javanese abangan, Balinese Hindus, and Dayak Christians—practice a less orthodox, syncretic form of their religion, which draws on local customs and beliefs.^[122]

[edit] Culture

A Wayang kulit shadow puppet performance as seen by the audience

Indonesia has around 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural differences developed over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Malay, and European sources. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology, as do wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances. Textiles such as batik, ikat and songket are created across Indonesia in styles that vary by region. The most dominant influences on Indonesian architecture have traditionally been Indian; however, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences have been significant. The most popular sports in Indonesia are badminton and football; Liga Indonesia is the country’s premier football club league. Traditional sports include sepak takraw, and bull racing in Madura. In areas with a history of tribal warfare, mock fighting contests are held, such as, caci in Flores, and pasola in Sumba. Pencak Silat is an Indonesian martial art. Sports in Indonesia are generally male-orientated and spectator sports are often associated with illegal gambling.^[123]

A selection of Indonesian food, including Soto Ayam (chicken soup), sate kerang (shellfish kebabs), telor pindang (preserved eggs), perkedel (fritter), and es teh manis (sweet iced tea)

Indonesian cuisine varies by region and is based on Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian precedents.^[124] Rice is the main staple food and is served with side dishes of meat and vegetables. Spices (notably chili), coconut milk, fish and chicken are fundamental ingredients.^[125] Indonesian traditional music includes gamelan and keroncong. Dangdut is a popular contemporary genre of pop music that draws influence from Arabic, Indian, and Malay folk music. The Indonesian film industry’s popularity peaked in the 1980s and dominated cinemas in Indonesia,^[126] although it declined significantly in the early 1990s.^[127] Between 2000 and 2005, the number of Indonesian films released each year has steadily increased.^[126]

The oldest evidence of writing in Indonesia is a series of Sanskrit inscriptions dated to the 5th century CE. Important figures in modern Indonesian literature include: Dutch author Multatuli, who criticized treatment of the Indonesians under Dutch colonial rule; Sumatrans Muhammad Yamin and Hamka, who were influential pre-independence nationalist writers and politicians;^[128] and proletarian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Indonesia’s most famous novelist.^[129] Many of Indonesia’s peoples have strongly rooted oral traditions, which help to define and preserve their cultural identities.^[130] Media freedom in Indonesia increased considerably after the end of President Suharto‘s rule, during which the now-defunct Ministry of Information monitored and controlled domestic media, and restricted foreign media.^[131] The TV market includes ten national commercial networks, and provincial networks that compete with public TVRI. Private radio stations carry their own news bulletins and foreign broadcasters supply programs. At a reported 25 million users in 2008,^[132] Internet usage is limited to a minority of the population, approximately 10.5%.