Sumpah Pemuda: The Role of Youth in The Nation’s Independence
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At this point, we’ve established that Indonesia is a country full of diversity, cultures, and mesmerizing nature’s beauty. Is there more, you may ask? The answer is yes! From a moderately-common knowledge to distinct ones, we will cover several fascinating facts that will get you to love Indonesia even more.
[1] Indonesia is home to the world’s largest reptile, the Komodo Dragon.
Did you know that Komodo dragons originate and only found in Indonesia, specifically the Komodo Island in Nusa Tenggara? In 2016 Nilatanzil listed the Komodo Island as one of the world’s seven wonders.
However, unfortunately, Komodo is beginning to be an endangered species for various reasons, one of which is human activities affecting their habitat.
Compounded by Komodo’s reluctance to stray from home, they must live in their land of origin for the species to survive.
[2] The largest and flower, Rafflesia Arnoldi, is found in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Identified by its strong odour of decaying flesh, the Rafflesia Arnoldi is noted as the largest individual flower on Earth. In Bahasa Indonesia, the flower is more commonly known as Padma Raksasa and Kerubut in Sumatra.
The magnificent flower grows to a diameter of 1 meter; each bud is typically about 30-40 cm, and weighs up to 11 kg.
[3] The most odorous flower on Earth, Amorphophallus Titanum, is also found in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Identified by its foul odor comparable to rotten meat, Amorphophallus Titanum can be smelled from half a mile. Originated and is endemic in Sumatra island, the flower was first discovered in 1878 by an Italian botanist, Dr. Oroardo Beccari.
“The devil’s tongue” is another name for the flower due to its strong and unpleasant smell. In contrast, in Bahasa Indonesia, it’s known as Bunga Bangkai or rotten flower.
[4] Indonesia has the largest percentage of ‘youth’ in the world
The National Bureau of Statistics stated in August 2001, with a total population of 257 million, about 165 million are under 30, with only 8% of those aged over 60 years. This statement proves that Indonesian youth can compete in the era of globalization with a demographic bonus for the next 20 years.
[5] Indonesia had the deadliest earthquake and volcanic eruption on the history
You may assume that the eruption of Krakatoa was most destructive, which is not half-wrong. However, according to an article by Becky Little, the deadliest and most destructive volcanic eruption in history was the mount Tambora on Sumbawa island in 1815.
Accordingly, 100.000 people died as a direct impact of the blast, but it led to tens of millions of deaths.
Gillen D’Arcy Wood, the author of Tambora: The Eruption That Changed the World, stated in his book that the eruption led to “three years of climate change,” where the world temperature increased. The weather system changed completely, which led to widespread crop failure and starvation in Asia, the United States, and Europe.
Additionally, in December 2004, a 9.3 magnitude earthquake hit in the Indian Ocean. Nearly all the casualties and damage took place within the province of Aceh, Sumatra. According to the UN and Indonesia’s National Disaster Relief Coordination Agency, it resulted in 250.000 deaths, 37.063 missing, and over 655,000 scattered as refugees.
Other than the physical damage on the province, the aftermath of the tsunami was the breakout of cholera, diphtheria, and other diseases, which further led to the need to create makeshift mass graves.
[6] Indonesia was the first developing country that launch its own satellite.
The launch of the Palapa satellite in 1967 marked Indonesia as the first developing country to launch its satellite, just ten years after Russia launched its satellite.
This achievement led to 23 other satellites’ launch over the years. Some had failed; others are stopped or still operating today.
[7] Indonesia holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest packet of instant noodles.”
The known instant noodle Indomie by PT Indofood holds the world’s record for being the largest packet of instant noodles, measured 340 cm x 235.5 cm x 47 cm, and weighed 664.94 kg at Semarapura, Bali, Indonesia on 10 February 2005.
If you are wondering, the chosen flavor for this record was the original Mie Goreng, everyone’s favorite.
[8] The capital city of Indonesia is the most instagrammed in Asia
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Jakarta has over 55 million hashtagged photos on Instagram in 2019, making it the most captured capital city in the whole of Asia and the 8th in the world. Accordingly, Jakarta is also amongst one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
[9] Indonesia and Monaco have the same flags
See these photos; which one do you think is Indonesia’s? If you say the left, then you’re right! Monaco and Indonesia both share the same national flag of red and white.
The only difference is that Indonesia’s is slightly wider. Similarly, Poland also has a very similar national flag, which is a reverse of Indonesia’s.
[10] The biggest Buddhist temple, Borobudur, can be found in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Constructed during the dynasty of Syailendra (800 AD), Borobudur Temple is one of the most desired travel destinations of Indonesia. As a Buddhist pilgrimage, the temple comprises 1,460 relief panels on the walls and 504 buddhas in its shrines, making it the biggest and most complete Buddhism temple in Indonesia.
Although today most of the population are Muslim, Buddhism was among the most influential and one of Indonesia’s first religious teachings. Before becoming the nation as we know it today, the archipelago comprises numerous Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms.
