The archipelagic area that forms present-day Indonesia had no collective name prior to the 19th century – at which point it was named after the words ‘Indos’ and ‘Nesos’ which literally translate to Indian Islands.

The flag of Indonesia is a bicoloured one featuring a horizontal red band and a white one below it. Red is thought to symbolise Mother Earth, with white symbolising Father Sky – two important gods in Austronesian mythology.

Indonesia is an independent, democratic republic with a President serving as the head of state and government, the army’s commander-in-chief, and the director of domestic governance, policy-making, and foreign affairs. Whilst hundreds of districts and dozens of cities are considered autonomous, Indonesia is still considered a unitary state, with their governors and heads acting as the nexus between the local and national governments.

Indonesia’s economy is the largest in South-east Asia and is considered an emerging market economy and a newly industrialised country. Whilst before it was largely based on agriculture, service provision and industry now dominate. Whilst its economy is booming, Indonesia still faces high poverty levels and weak governance.