Emily Clarke

Brief History of Indonesia

Indonesia today is more likely to be featured in an Indian news magazine for its rich beauty than to be thought of as a Dutch trading outpost, but this wasn't always the case. The country was originally part of the Dutch East India Company, a conglomerate of trading companies based out of the Netherlands. Indonesia served as a vital part of global trade for a good part of the later 1800s and early 1900s, and today, it continues to hold a place of prominence for seafaring ships.

Independence Won in 1949

Although Indonesia declared independence from the Dutch in 1945, it did not receive full recognition as a free country until 1949. In 1969, the western areas of New Guinea became part of Indonesia, and in 1999, Timor's eastern half declared its own independence, achieving sovereign status in 2002.

Today, Indonesia is associated with a variety of international organizations, including the United Nations, OPEC, and ASEAN. This is despite regional conflicts over the years causing a separation of cultures that have since homogenized to a great extent.

Natural Disasters

Indonesia is located in a unique geographical position in that it sits at the juncture of various tectonic plates. This makes the area prone to earthquakes and the potential for tsunami waves.

In 2004, a large earthquake struck the region, resulting in a devastating tsunami that gained attention from Indian news magazine publications and major news outlets across the world. The event killed over 200,000 people in total and caused untold amounts of property damage in Indonesia and the surrounding region. Famous videos of the incident are available online and have been featured on major news channels in the United States.

The Future of Indonesia

Although Indonesia has a storied past, residents of the country look ahead to the future with optimism. As global shipping becomes more efficient and demand grows for international goods, the country is uniquely situated to provide resources to the world economy. These include ports for traveling vessels, logistics support for international commerce, and tourist destinations for people on vacation.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes for various magazines and news portals giving breaking news, South Asian stories & entertainment news. You can find her thoughts at South Asian news blog.