Can You Guess How Many Islands Are In Indonesia? It’s Probably Higher Than You Think
Did you know Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago nation, with over 17,000 islands? That’s right – more than 17 thousand! While this may seem like an overwhelming amount of land to explore, it is, since even the Indonesian government itself can’t 100% confirm the number of islands it has.
One thing you can be sure though, is that a lot of them are amazing! I spent more than 3 months roaming to at least a dozen, plus at least a few other tiny islands I’d forgotten to include in the count.
This blog post will explore Indonesia’s geographic size and scope in more detail. We’ll answer questions such as how many islands are in Indonesia? How big is Indonesian really? And other interesting facts about the country. So read on for all your burning questions about Indonesia’s size!
Overview: A Bit About Indonesia
Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia, and it consists of over 17,000 islands. The total land area is 1,904,659 square kilometers (735,400 square miles), making it the 15th-largest country in the world!
Its population is around 270 million people, and the capital city is Jakarta. The largest island, by far, is Java which contains over 145 million people, winning another achievement of being the most densely populated island in the world.
Most of the islands are located in the western half of Indonesia near Sumatra and Borneo. The eastern part of the country consists primarily of ocean and uninhabited islands.
Now, let’s jump into some fun facts about Indonesian Islands!
How Many Islands are in Indonesia Exactly?
The number of islands in Indonesia is estimated to be between 17,000 and 18,500. As mentioned, this number can not be confirmed as the country does not have an exact count due to its vast expanse. However, most sources suggest that around ~17,000 islands make up this single largest archipelago nation in the world.
The number of islands differs among agencies due to varied interpretations of what constitutes an island. For example, would a rock reef visible only during low tide qualify?
Island Source Counts:
- Maritime Territory of Indonesia: 17,508 islands
- National Coordinating Agency for Survey and Mapping: 13,466 islands
- National Institute of Aeronautics and Space: 18,307 islands
- CIA World Factbook: 17,508 islands
Do people Live on All Islands in Indonesia?
No, only a small percentage of Indonesian islands are inhabited. Many islands are so far-flung and remote that they remain largely free of any transportation or supply routes, leaving them mostly untouched. Some are also not suitable for living, like being too small or rocky, having inadequate resources, or subject to frequent tidal changes or natural disasters.
How Many Islands in Indonesia are Inhabited?
Again, estimates for the number of inhabited islands vary vastly among sources. While the Indonesian Consulate estimates that 6,000 islands are inhabited, other sources like The Nations Encyclopedia and Conde Nast Traveler report the figure to be closer to 11,000 and 922, respectively. This basically means no one has any idea how many islands have permanent residents on them.
Why Indonesia Has So Many Islands?
Indonesia’s archipelago sits directly over the “Ring of Fire.” For thousands of years, shifting tectonic plates have caused volcanic activity and sedimentary deposits to form hundreds of islands in this region. Furthermore, erosion has continuously altered existing Indonesian islands throughout history; some new land masses are still being created while others rapidly dissolve today.
Fun Fact: Indonesia contains a staggering 147 volcanoes, with an impressive 76 of them active.
What country has the most islands?
You would think having so many islands, Indonesia would be the country with the most islands in the world. But it’s not! The title of having the most islands in the world actually goes to Sweden with a total of 221,800 islands. That’s more than 12.5 times more than Indonesia!
Superlative Awards: Island Facts of Indonesia
What is the Biggest Island in Indonesia?
Indonesia’s largest island, Papua or New Guinea, entices only the most hardcore adventurers. Spanning an immense 785,753 square kilometers (303,381 square miles), it is bound by one of my personal bucket list destinations – Papa New Guinea! Besides being famous for its Southeast Asia landmark Raja Ampat islands, this tropical paradise has also gained fame as a premier eco-tourism destination that boasts unparalleled scuba diving experiences.
What is the Smallest Island in Indonesia?
Indonesia’s smallest officially-recorded island, Simping Island, is situated in West Kalimantan and spans just 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres). This petite landmass consists of a raft of sand and stone with only a few trees scattered throughout it – but that hasn’t stopped local residents from erecting a bridge to visit the shrine perched atop this mini oasis!
What is the Most Visited Island in Indonesia?
The most visited island in Indonesia is Bali, attracting over 6 million visitors before the pandemic. This tropical paradise has quickly become an international tourist hotspot thanks to movies like “Eat, Love, Pray,” and its reputation as one of the top honeymoon destinations.
Tourists flock here for many reasons—from its lush climate and unique Balinese culture, like watching a mass cremation. From volcano top views to pounding waterfalls and peaceful rice fields–Bali offers an endless amount of things to do, exceptional tourist infrastructure but is still relatively cheap by western standards.
What is the Most Populated Island in Indonesia?
Home to over 145 million people, Java is Indonesia’s most populous island and the densest on Earth. I mean, that’s half the population on one island! As for cultural attractions, this highly developed mainland boasts several renowned Indonesian landmarks, such as Borobodur and Prambanan, north of the Yogyakarta coast, and iconic volcanos Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen.
Main Islands of Indonesia
The five main islands of Indonesia are Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi, and Papua. These five islands together account for around 95 percent of the total land area in Indonesia (again, measurements are all over the map for this stat.)
Papua, the largest island in Indonesia, flaunts an array of cultures along with Raja Ampat’s storied chain islands that present some of the world’s top diving experiences. Sumatra boasts magnificent jungle landscapes and its renowned volcanic lake Toba. Java is densely populated and contains Jakarta, the nation’s capital. Borneo (Kalimantan) stands out for hosting orangutans within their rainforest habitats. Sulawesi is the fourth largest Indonesian island known for its abundance of ancient cultures.
Main Islands in Indonesia to Travel To
The top five major islands of Indonesia account for most of the landmass, but many people miss out on exploring its more remote locations. Instead, most take a trip to popular spots such as Java, Bali, and Lombok – while some brave adventurers may choose to explore Komodo Island or Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara.
Java is where most people land and head west or continue to Bali. Bali is where most people spend their time, doing activities such as trekking up active volcanoes in the north, exploring sacred Hindu temples in the east, and surfing on world-class waves in the south. Lombok is the neighboring island to Bali and offers a more laid-back itinerary with its many secluded beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and nightlife on Gili Trawangan.
For a taste of the wild, Komodo National Park is home to the nation’s most famous Komodo dragons, pink beaches, and tropical marine life. Some opt to explore the starting point of the Komodo Islands overlanding Flores from Labuan Bajo to Kelimutu’s tri-colored lakes or visiting traditional villages inhabited by different ethnic groups.
How many islands are in Bali?
Bali itself is an island but also a province that consists of at least 32 other islands, according to this Indonesian source. However, the most famous ones are Nusa Penida for fan-favorite hotspots like Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach/Angel’s Billabong, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Menjangan islands is also a common snorkeling island in west Bali.
Is Bali the cheapest island?
No, Bali is not the cheapest island to visit. In fact, it can be quite expensive due to its popularity and tourist attractions. Some of Indonesia’s other popular islands, such as Lombok, offer much more budget-friendly options for accommodation and activities.
How do Indonesians travel between islands?
Indonesians typically travel between islands by ferry, cruise ship or airplane.
Ferries are generally the most preferred way for inter-island travel. Popular routes offer multiple daily departures – with a public ferry and speedboat options. For those voyages that are less popular, it can be pretty difficult to find any information about them. They can be super long trips packed full of people and are often subject to delays.
Airlines such as Lion Air and Wings Air provide cheap domestic flights nationwide.
How many Airports are in Indonesia?
Indonesia is a powerful player in the aviation sector, making significant investments in the industry. Spanning over 5,150 kilometers (3,200 miles) from east to west with thousands of islands dispersed throughout its area, air travel is the most efficient means of travel for its inhabitants. Presently 683 airports are operating across the nation – while more continue being constructed regularly.
Which Country Visits Indonesia the Most?
Every year, Malaysia consistently tops the list as Indonesia’s most visited nationality. Although the numbers fluctuate annually, this is usually followed by China, Singapore, East Timor, and Australia in no particular order.
Indonesia Size: How Big is Indonesia
What is Indonesia’s ranking in size?
Indonesia is the world’s 15th largest country by land mass, with an area of 1.9 million square kilometers (735,000 square miles). It is the fourth most populated nation on Earth, behind India, China, and the United States. Indonesia also ranks 11th in terms of population density, with an average of around 140 people per square kilometer.
Indonesia Time Zones: How Many Are There?
Indonesia is divided into three distinct time zones – Western Indonesian Time (WIB), Central Indonesian Time (WITA), and Eastern Indonesian Time (WIT). WIB is UTC+07:00, WITA is UTC+08:00, and WIT is UTC+09:00. Most of Indonesia’s population lives in the West and Central time zones – with the Eastern time zone covering the remote eastern parts of the country.
States in Indonesia
Indonesia has grown into 38 provinces – 29 regular and 9 with special status. While the entire country is home to over 100 cities, each state designates its own capital city.
What country is Similar in Size to Indonesia?
Mexico is very close to the size of Indonesia. Mexico is 1.97 million square kilometers, just slightly larger than Indonesia at 1.9 million square kilometers. Although both countries have a wide variety of climates, landscapes, and wildlife, they are incomparable in culture and history.
Is Indonesia Bigger Than…?
Are you wondering how Indonesia measures up to other countries around the world? We’ve compiled a list of common comparisons people make when researching this nation. But if your desired comparison is missing from our list—here’s a fantastic website that allows you to view any two countries side-by-side on an interactive map for easy sizing!
Indonesia Quick Facts For Comparison:
- Area in kilometers: 1.9 million sqkm
- Area in miles: 735 sq miles
- Ranked: 15 largest in size
- Population: 270 million
- Population Rank: 4th most populated
Is Indonesia bigger than the US?
No, Indonesia is not bigger than the US. The United States has an area of 9.8 million square kilometers (3.8 million square miles), making it the fourth largest country in land mass and the third most populated country globally. The US is about 5 times bigger than Indonesia. However, Indonesia does have more islands than the US, which only has four main islands.
Is Indonesia bigger than India?
No, India is significantly bigger than Indonesia. With an area of 3.2 million square kilometers (1.2 million square miles), India is the seventh largest country by land mass and recently overtook China to become the most populous nation on Earth. India is about 1.7 times bigger than Indonesia and vastly higher in population density.
Is Indonesia bigger than Mexico?
Mexico is around the same size as Indonesia. Since Mexico has an area of 1.96 million square kilometers (737,000 square miles), it is only 3% larger than Indonesia. However, Indonesia has way more population and islands than Mexico, which only has about 100 islands.
Is Indonesia bigger than Europe?
No, Europe is much bigger than Indonesia. Europe has an area of 10.2 million square kilometers (4 million square miles) and a population of about 750 million people. Although in this sense, you are comparing apples to oranges since Europe comprises 44 separate countries.
Is Indonesia bigger than Japan?
Indonesia is a whopping five times larger than Japan in land area, which only has 377,944 sq km (145,907 sq mi). However, Japan’s population density is threefold that of Indonesia.
How big is Indonesia vs Texas?
Compared to Texas, Indonesia is three times larger than the Lone Star State. With 695,000 square kilometers (268,000 square miles) and a population of 29 million people, it towers over Texas in size and inhabitants.
Is Indonesia bigger than Russia?
Russia stands at an impressive 17 million square kilometers (6.6 million square miles), nearly nine times the size of Indonesia! As such, it has earned itself the title of the largest country on Earth. Even then, Russia’s population of 144 million is only half of Indonesia’s 270 million people. Much of Russia’s landmass is way too cold and uninhabitable, especially in the northern areas.
Is Indonesia bigger than the Philippines?
The Philippines is a small nation compared to Indonesia, with its total land area measuring only 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 square miles), ranking it as the 73rd largest country. Despite this size, though, the Philippines has an impressive number of islands as well – approximately 7642!
Is Indonesia bigger than Malaysia?
Indonesia is an immense country, nearly six times larger than Malaysia. While the two countries are significantly diverse in size, with Malaysia having a land area of 329,847 square kilometers (127,320 square miles), they share many similarities, including language and cultural heritage. Aside from local slang, people can generally understand each other.
Is Indonesia bigger than Australia?
Without a doubt, Australia is significantly larger than Indonesia. It claims an impressive 7.7 million square kilometers of territory (2.9 million square miles). In fact, it’s more than four times bigger! Nevertheless, with merely 26 million people in the population compared to Indonesia’s 270 million citizens, there are noticeably fewer Australians living on this immense landmass.
Final Thoughts: Indonesia Size + How many Islands in Indonesia
Indonesia is an incredible, multifaceted nation with the largest Muslim population on Earth and a wealth of exciting activities to explore. At 1.9 million square kilometers (737,000 square miles), it’s one of the biggest countries around – meaning there are even more extraordinary places worth exploring within its borders!
You’ll never believe how many islands are in Indonesia. From urban centers bursting with life to serene, undiscovered gorgeous beaches nestled among sprawling rainforests or looming volcanoes, you’ll never be lacking for adventures on this Indonesian archipelago of 17 thousand islands.
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Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.