Description
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago nation, comprising over 17,000 islands. It is the most culturally diverse nation, containing an extraordinary melange of races, religions, languages, and cultures. In this book, author Ian Burnet takes a journey across the archipelago. He intertwines the history and geography, as well as the many races, languages, and cultures that make up a country whose motto is “Unity in Diversity.” Traveling by bus, train, plane, and motorcycle, from Java to Timor, Burnet hops from island to island across the archipelago. He traces the history of the early Malay people and the influence of Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. He discovers the heritage of the Indians, Chinese, and Arabs trading in spice and sandalwood and follows the rise of Islam. Burnet traces of the first Europeans to enter Asia – the early Portuguese and priests. Illustrated with photographs and historical maps, his book takes the reader on a personal journey through geographic space and historical time. It offers a rich and deep understanding of this complex nation, its culture, and its people.
