Random/Interesting facts from the Guidebook

The random, yet interesting, facts that I have learned through The Lonely Planet’s guidebook to Indonesia (2007). 

1. There is a sport called sepak takraw that is played with a rattan ball.  It’s a cross between volleyball and soccer, kind of.  Check out the videos on YouTube, especially this informative one I found: http://youtu.be/15asVgf66KI
2. Historically, Indonesia was a Dutch colony, although Marco Polo (Portugal) was one of the first Europeans to visit and then dominate the valuable spice trade of the region.  The first Dutch ships arrived in 1596, and Indonesia declared independence in 1945 (with “help” from Japan, mostly by occupying the islands and getting the Dutch out of the way). 
3. In order to unite the expansive island nation, they have adopted the garuda as their mythical bird and national symbol.  On its breast are the five symbols of the Pancasila (five principles). Star: represents faith in God, whether Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu or any other religion.Chain: represents humanity within Indonesia and its links to humankind as a whole. Banyan tree: represents nationalism and promoting unity between Indonesia’s many ethnic groups.Buffalo: symbolizes representative government.Rice and cotton: represents social justice.
4. During Indonesia’s first direct presidential election (October 20, 2004) over 115 million people cast their vote, making it the world’s largest ever one-day election.
5. I’ll preface this by saying that Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands, and it’s the 4^th most populated nation in the world.  Indonesia’s population currently increases by about 3.5 million people per year. 
6. Indonesians comprise approximately 300 ethnic groups that speak some 365 languages and dialects.
7. Not to scare anyone, including myself, but Indonesia is home to no fewer than 129 active volcanoes, the most of any nation.
8. Rice in the field is called padi; rice grain at the market is called beras; cooked rice on your plate is called nasi. 
9. The city of Jakarta, where I will be living, is located on the island of Java.  This name may sound familiar because the island was home to ‘Java Man’ some 1.7 million years ago (yeah, that’s a LONG time ago).
10. Another resource I’ve been using to research my soon to be home:  www.expat.or.id