Architecture
Borobudur
Central Java, Indonesia
A Buddhist monument of stacked terraces decorated with thousands of relief panels and many stupas.
Built: 9th century · Style: Buddhist monument
Indonesia: leaders, famous people, culture and history
9 places on the atlas covering architecture, language, culture, festivals, folklore and crafts. Highlights include Borobudur, Indonesian, Nasi tumpeng and Nyepi.
See Indonesia on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- Architecture Borobudur
- Language Indonesian
- Culture Nasi tumpeng and Canang sari offerings
- Festivals Nyepi
- Folklore Gamelan and Wayang kulit
- Crafts Batik and Balinese wood carving
Who leads Indonesia?
| President (head of state and government) | Prabowo Subianto |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Indonesia’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Indonesia
- Sukarno first president
- Pramoedya Ananta Toer novelist
- R. A. Kartini pioneer of women's education
- Raden Saleh painter
- Gajah Mada Majapahit prime minister
- Chairil Anwar poet
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Indonesia
- Greeting A light handshake is common, often followed by touching the hand to the chest. Use your right hand for giving and receiving.
- Dress Dress modestly outside tourist beaches and cover up when visiting mosques and temples.
- Dining Eat with the right hand or a spoon and fork. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking openly in front of fasting colleagues.
All etiquette tips for Indonesia
Architecture in Indonesia
Language in Indonesia
Language
Indonesian
Jakarta, Indonesia
A national language that unites hundreds of ethnic groups. It is based on Malay and has fairly simple grammar and spelling.
Say hello: Halo / Selamat pagi · Script: Latin
Culture in Indonesia
Culture
Nasi tumpeng
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
A cone of yellow rice surrounded by side dishes, served at Javanese celebrations as an expression of gratitude.
Tradition: Cone of rice for celebrations
Culture
Canang sari offerings
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Balinese Hindus place small woven palm-leaf trays of flowers, rice and incense at homes, shops and shrines every day as thanks and blessings.
Tradition: Daily flower offerings
Festivals in Indonesia
Festivals
Nyepi
Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
The Balinese New Year is a day of silence: no lights, no travel and no work. The night before, giant papier-mâché ogoh-ogoh figures are paraded through the streets.
Usually: March · Theme: Balinese Day of Silence · Months: March
Folklore in Indonesia
Folklore
Gamelan
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
A Javanese and Balinese orchestra of gongs, metallophones and drums, played at court ceremonies, dance performances and shadow-puppet plays.
Kind: Percussion ensemble
Folklore
Wayang kulit
Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia
Intricately cut leather puppets cast shadows on a screen while a single puppeteer, called a dalang, voices every character and narrates stories from epics.
Kind: Shadow puppet theatre
Crafts in Indonesia
Crafts
Batik
Pekalongan, Central Java, Indonesia
Fabric is patterned by drawing with hot wax before dyeing. Batik is recognised on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Craft: Wax-resist dyeing
Crafts
Balinese wood carving
Mas, Bali, Indonesia
The village of Mas is known for its wood carvers, who make statues, masks and decorative panels for temples and homes.
Craft: Carved figures and masks
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Indonesia today, a short selection of well-known people from Indonesia, and the 9 places pinned for Indonesia on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Indonesia on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the architecture page, language page, culture page, festivals page, folklore page and crafts page.
Questions about Indonesia
Who is the leader of Indonesia?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Prabowo Subianto. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Indonesia?
Well-known people connected with Indonesia include Sukarno (first president), Pramoedya Ananta Toer (novelist), R. A. Kartini (pioneer of women's education), Raden Saleh (painter) and Gajah Mada (Majapahit prime minister).
What festivals are celebrated in Indonesia?
Festivals on the atlas for Indonesia include Nyepi. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What are famous landmarks and buildings in Indonesia?
Notable buildings and sites in Indonesia on the atlas include Borobudur. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is Indonesia known for?
Language entries for Indonesia on the atlas include Indonesian. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Indonesia known for?
Traditional crafts from Indonesia on the atlas include Batik and Balinese wood carving. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What food and customs is Indonesia known for?
Food and customs from Indonesia on the atlas include Nasi tumpeng and Canang sari offerings. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Indonesia have?
Folklore and music from Indonesia on the atlas include Gamelan and Wayang kulit. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Indonesia on the map?
Choose See Indonesia on the map above, or search for Indonesia on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Indonesia?
Greeting: A light handshake is common, often followed by touching the hand to the chest. Use your right hand for giving and receiving. Dress: Dress modestly outside tourist beaches and cover up when visiting mosques and temples. These are general customs, not legal advice.