Geography: Volcanoes, Rivers, Animals, and Plants

Geography: Volcanoes

Indonesia sits on the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire and holds the most active volcanoes in the world.
Some of the prominent active volcanoes include Krakatoa and Mount Merapi: Krakatoa is known for its devastating eruption in 1883, while Merapi is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes.
Volcanic soil is highly fertile, making the areas surrounding volcanoes agriculturally rich despite inherent risks.
Volcanic tourism is a distinct part of Indonesian tourism, with travellers hiking and sightseeing the scenic landscapes.

Indonesia houses numerous rivers, utilised for irrigation, transportation, power generation and sanitation purposes.
Kapuas River in Borneo is the longest in Indonesia and hosts a diverse range of aquatic life.
The Musiriver in Java serves as a significant transportation route amidst the dense population.
Indonesian rivers face challenges including pollution and deforestation, undermining their health and biodiversity.

Indonesia is one of the world’s most bio-diverse regions, home to a vast range of wildlife, including many endemic species.
Iconic indigenous animals include the Orangutan, the Komodo Dragon and the Javan Rhino.
Birdlife is rich, with over 1,600 species, including the colourful bird-of-paradise known locally as ‘Cendrawasih’.
Threats to wildlife include habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and pollution.

Indonesia has a rich plant diversity, with the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, found here.
Rainforests are abundant and play a vital role in the global climate regulation and sustaining local communities.
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, leading to widespread deforestation and subsequent environmental issues.
Mangrove forests along the coasts are crucial for coastal protection and marine biodiversity but face degradation due to coastal development and aquaculture.