Things I didn't know about Indonesia
- The national territory consists of thousands of islands, inhabited by 300 ethnic groups with distinct cultures, speaking 365 languages and dialects.
- It has the world's largest Muslim population.
- They drive on the left, as we do in Ireland.
- After the war, during which time it was occupied by the Japanese, it was occupied by the British. Calls for independence were ignored, until the British officer in charge was killed by a bomb.
- Guinness bottles have a logo of what looks like a wildcat on a chain.
- Badminton is popular--they are the world champions at this sport.
- Stories in buildings are as in the US, ie, our ground floor is their first floor.
- There don't appear to be any Irish pubs in the country (this is open to correction!).
- It contains more endangered species than any other country.
- The Beringin (fig) tree is the symbol of the government, and can be found growing at public buildings (as well as other places).
- The Kamboja tree is grown in cemetaries (in Java) and in Bali as decoration. The tree has a large attractive scented flower, which can be white, red or yellow.
- Although the island of Java is only half the size of Britain, it has a population of 112 million.
- The minimum wage is US$38 per month.
- Most of the 4,000 tonnes of frogs' legs imported into France annually come from Indonesia.
- They use 2-pin electrical plugs (as in Germany).