Geographical Conditions of Indonesia: Location, Terrain Conditions, Drainage Systems, Weather, Population Conditions and Distribution of Flora and Fauna

Geographical Conditions of Indonesia: Location, Terrain Conditions, Drainage Systems, Weather, Population Conditions and Distribution of Flora and Fauna – How is the Geographical Condition in Indonesia? On this occasion About the knowledge.co.id will discuss the Geographical Conditions of Indonesia and the things that surround it. Let's look at the discussion together in the article below to better understand it.

Geographical Conditions of Indonesia: Location, Terrain Conditions, Drainage Systems, Weather, Population Conditions and Distribution of Flora and Fauna

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Indonesia is a country located off the coast of the mainland of Southeast Asia, precisely located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia is an archipelagic country located on and near the equator, and has an area equivalent to one-eighth of the Earth's circumference. Then what is the geographical condition of Indonesia which is said to be interesting and unique? Come on, follow the full description.

The largest islands in Indonesia consist of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. Based on the position above, the unique and interesting characteristics of Indonesia's geographical conditions are produced due to the influence of its location either on 2 large continents (Australia and Asia) or its location which lies along the line equator.

Not only the big islands, Indonesia is also composed of small islands (Nusa Tenggara and Bali) in chains the island that stretches eastward through Timor Island, the Maluku Islands which lie between Sulawesi and the Island Papuan. The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, located near the northwest coast of Java Island. At the start of the 21st century, Indonesia is the most populous country in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country in the world.

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Geographical Location of Indonesia

Geographically Indonesia is located between 2 landmasses and 2 oceans. Indonesia's geographical location is very strategic and is often referred to as a cross position. Indonesia is flanked by mainland Asia and mainland Australia and is flanked by the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

The influence of Indonesia's geographical location has an impact on the sea air in Indonesia. Apart from that, this geographical location greatly influences the existence of the Indonesian region, both in terms of physical and social or economic and political conditions.

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Indonesian Mainland Conditions

Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia, measuring from east to west in length about 3. 200 miles( 5. 100 kilometers) as well as from north to south 1. 100 miles( 1. 800 kilometers). Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia in the northern part of Borneo Island, Papua New Guinea in the center of Island New Guinea, and the State of Timor Leste in the center of Timor Island.

As previously explained, Indonesia is located between 2 landmasses and 2 oceans, namely Mainland Asia (in the north-northwest) and Mainland Australia (to the south-east), and the Indian Ocean (to the south-southwest) and the Pacific Ocean (to the east-east) sea). Astronomically, Indonesia is located at 6°N-11°S and 95°E-141°E.

Indonesia has close to 17. 500 islands, of which more than 7. 000 uninhabited islands. Nearly 3 quarters of Indonesia's area is represented by the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua, while Sulawesi, Java and Maluku follow behind.

• Relief state

The larger islands of Indonesia are characterized by densely forested volcanic mountains, which slope downward to seaside plains covered by thick alluvial swamps. The unique structure of Indonesia's body includes the confluence of 3 main parts of the earth's crust, volcanic chains, and deep sea trenches.

The island of Borneo and the island arc that includes Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the Lesser Sunda chain on the Sunda Shelf (Sunda Shelf) are an extension of the Asian land mass. The shelf is limited to the south and west by deep-sea trenches, such as the Java Trench with a low of 7. 450 m below sea level and forms a continental boundary (land).

New Guinea (New Guinea) and adjacent islands, including the island of Halmahera, lie on the Sahul Shelf (Sahul Shelf), which is the northwestern extension of the Australian land mass. To the northeast the Sahul Shelf is bounded by a series of oceanic trenches and to the northwest by several oceanic trenches, coral reef chains and a series of seafloor ridges.

Next, the third unit of Indonesia's crust is an extension of the mountain belt that forms Japan and the Philippines. This can be seen from the mountains that stretch between Kalimantan and Papua and include a series of volcanoes as well as deep sea trenches near the islands of Sulawesi and Maluku.

The Sunda Shelf near the Java Sea has relatively low relief, contains some coral reefs, and is not of the volcanic type. The mountain systems extending as far as the South China Sea and Sulawesi from this shelf characterize the outer edges of the Asian land masses. This area is a very large zone and is one of the most active volcanic zones in the world.

The outer (southern) side of the island chain Sumatra through Java and the Lesser Sundas forms the leading edge of the Southeast Asian continent. This is signaled by the presence of active volcanoes which are bounded to the south and west by a series of deep-sea trenches.

On the inner side (north) is composed of a series of small islands, volcanoes, swamps, lowlands, and the shallow Java Sea. This sea on the north side was created at the end of the Pleistocene Era (near 12. 000 years ago), and also found evidence of remnants of land (such as natural bridges) that facilitate the migration of plants and animals from mainland Asia.

• Soil Characteristics

Soils in Indonesia represent a bond between air and parent rock, which is one of Indonesia's interesting geographical conditions. The rocks in Java are dominantly derived from volcanic andesite (gray-black rocks composed of oligoclase or feldspar minerals). whereas rhyolite (a form of acidic lava from granite) is dominant in Sumatra, granite in the Riau Islands, sedimentary rocks in Kalimantan as well Papuan.

Soils produced in humid areas consist of lateritic soils which have iron oxide and aluminum hydroxide with varying degrees of fertility depending on the rock of origin. The laterites referred to here include dark, gray, and red limestone soils.

A very productive soil is the Ando soil type, which was formed in andesitic volcanic deposits on the northeastern coast of Sumatra. The land can also be seen in Java and Sulawesi. Productive soils can also originate from volcanic ash carried by the wind, after which it is deposited as a homogeneous arrangement of inorganic material over a wide area.

In general, the constant heat and abundant rainfall in most parts of Indonesia have led to processes of erosion, weathering, and leaching (washing) of soil constituents. In areas covered with tropical rain forests such as in Kalimantan, the soil can be maintained by the forest cycle. When plants die, they decompose quickly, releasing nutrients that are reabsorbed by the growth of new vegetation.

Although this type of soil greatly supports the development of plants in the forest, it is not able to support a large population of agricultural plants. Illegal logging can break the forest cycle and can accelerate soil destruction.

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Drainage Systems and Rivers in Indonesia

Compared to other countries located on the Asian mainland, Indonesia actually only has a few large rivers. Indonesian rivers are usually relatively short and flow from the mountains to the sea. Kapuas River (1. 140 kilometers), Barito (900 kilometers), and Mahakam (770 kilometers) are the 3 longest in the country. The island of Papua, where most of its territory receives abundant rainfall, is drained by several large rivers such as the Baliem, Mamberamo and Digul.

Indonesia has several famous lakes, of which the most famous is in Sumatra, namely Lake Toba. The lake is located to the north at an elevation near 3. 000 feet (900 m) above sea level and covers an area of ​​nearly 440 square miles (1. 140 square kilometers). Sulawesi also has several large and deep lakes, such as Lake Towuti and Matano which are located in the southern part of the island, and Lake Poso which is located in the center of Sulawesi Island.

The sea that surrounds Indonesia is a very important hydrological feature and serves as a facility transportation or as a barrier that protects cultural features and areas between islands in the archipelago Indonesia. Shallow seas located between small islands are a source of offshore oil deposits, natural gas and minerals.

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Weather in Indonesia

Determination of the weather in Indonesia is one aspect of Indonesia's geographical condition. Included in this type of weather and weather include rainfall, wind direction, air pressure, air temperature, and air humidity.

The elements of weather and air are part of the geographical state of existence. The location of Indonesia which is located on the equator makes the area of ​​Indonesia get sufficient sunlight throughout the year in various regions.

The weather conditions in Indonesia are influenced by the monsoon winds, namely winds that blow every 6 months and always change direction. This change in the direction of the monsoon winds causes the weather conditions in Indonesia to be divided into 2 periods each year, namely the dry season and the rainy season. The area of ​​Indonesia which is flanked by 2 oceans makes the sea climate humid.

Air is a distinctive characteristic of Indonesia's geographical conditions. Indonesia's weather is largely determined by the structure of the island and its location on the equator. The aspect of the position near the equator will guarantee a large temperature and comprehensive nature. In addition, Indonesia's position which is located between 2 major landmasses, namely Asia and Australia, causes it to be affected by seasonal rainfall patterns brought by the prevailing winds.

Temperatures are highest along the coast, where annual average temperatures range from 70 to 80°F. In Indonesia, areas above the altitude of 2. 000 feet (600 m) tends to be cooler, but the Maoke Mountains in Papua are very cold, signaled by the arrival of snow. In Jakarta, on hot days the temperature can reach almost 100°F (38°C), while in the very cold it can drop to near 65°F (18°C).

Most of Indonesia's areas receive heavy rainfall throughout the year, where the highest amount occurs from December to March. However, from Central Java to the east towards Australia, the dry season begins to be felt even from June to October.

The islands of Timor and Sumba for months receive little rain. The highest amounts of rainfall often occur in the mountainous regions of Sumatra, the mountains of Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua, where annual rainfall can reach more than 120 inches (3. 000 millimeters)

West Java, Central Java, parts of Sulawesi and Maluku have an average rainfall of 80 inches (2. 000 millimeters) per year. East Java, Bali, southern and central Sulawesi, have an average rainfall of between 60 and 80 inches (1. 500 and 2. 000 millimeters), whereas the Lesser Sunda Islands, which are closest to Australia, only gain 40 to 60 inches (1. 000 to 1. 500 millimeters) per year.

The formation of mass alteration in Indonesia is caused by Asian monsoonal wind drift and convergence tropical air masses from north and south of the equator along the intertropical pressure line low. The mass wind pattern in a particular part of the archipelago depends on the position either in the north or in south of the equator, familiarity with Australia or mainland Asia, or at a frontal position intertropical.

During December, January and February, westerly winds from mainland Asia will bring heavy rains to southern Sumatra, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. On the other hand, in June, July and August, these areas will be influenced by the eastern period, which brings dry air from Australia.

When the east monsoon has crossed the equator or becomes a southwestern monsoon in the northern hemisphere, the wind becomes moist and becomes a source of rain. Sumatra and Borneo, which are located close to the equator and far from Australia, in general has no dry season, although rainfall tends to be lower during July as well August. Strong typhoons tend not to occur in Indonesia, but thunderstorms occur quite often in Indonesia.

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Condition of the Indonesian Population

The condition of the Indonesian population is the condition of the population in each region of Indonesia which is influenced by geographical location and area. In general, Indonesia's geographical condition can be divided into 3 regions based on the height of the area, namely the seaside area, the lowlands and the mountainous area or the plains.

• Beach Region

Many residents in the waterfront area work as fishermen and in the fishing zone. The pattern of settlements in the waterfront area is usually elongated and extends as far as the coastline.

The temperature in the seaside area tends to be hot and also influences the population pattern in the area. There are also the majority of seaside areas that are tourism zones or fishing and cultural centers in Indonesia.

• Lowland Region

In the lowlands, conditions for the Indonesian population are more mixed. The lowland areas are the most common. The lowlands are the center of industry, commerce and government. The Indonesian population in the lowlands has a variety of jobs.

On the other hand, settlement patterns in the lowlands tend to be parallel to the paths and streams of rivers and streams. Sometimes settlement patterns are also concentrated in certain business centers and economic centers.

• Mountains or Highlands

The condition of the population in Indonesia who live in the mountains is also quite diverse. The majority of the population in the highlands work in the agricultural and plantation zones because they are supported by sufficient weather.

Temperatures in mountainous areas tend to be cooler and colder. The mountainous region also has productive soil. Generally, mountainous areas are also used as tourist attractions and nature outings.

Geographical Conditions of the Country of Indonesia – Indonesia is a country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, precisely between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia is an archipelagic country located on and around the equator, and has an area equivalent to one-eighth of the Earth's circumference. Then what is the geographical condition of Indonesia which is said to be interesting and unique? Come on, see the full explanation.

The largest island in Indonesia consists of the islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and New Guinea. Based on the location above, the unique and interesting characteristics of Indonesia's geographical condition are generated because of the influence of its position on both the two major continents (Australia and Asia) as well as its position around the line equator.

Apart from the big islands, Indonesia is also composed of small islands (Nusa Tenggara and Bali) with island chains which stretches eastward through Timor Island, the Maluku Islands which lie between Sulawesi and the Island Papuan. The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, located near the northwest coast of Java Island. At the start of the 21st century Indonesia was the most populous country in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country in the world.

Distribution of Flora and Fauna in Indonesia

Indonesia's vegetation is similar to that of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. There are close to 40. 000 species of flowering plants, listed 5. 000 species of orchids, and monster flower (Rafflesia arnoldii), which is the most abundant flower in the world. There are more than 3. 000 species including several varieties of valuable wood such as teak and ironwood. Thousands of plant species are exploited for economic purposes, either directly or indirectly.

The main vegetation in Indonesia is located in tropical rain forests, lowlands, and hills whose height is at the base of 5. 000 feet( 1. 500m). Above 5. 000 feet( 1. 500 m) the forest type will shift to upland forest dominated by plant species of oak, laurel, tea, and magnolia.

Another distinctive characteristic of Indonesian vegetation is the mangrove forest, which is characterized by the formation of a stilt or rooted tree, which only develops in salty or brackish water along the coast muddy. Mangrove swamps are found extensively along the shallow seas in eastern Sumatra, southern Kalimantan, and the southeastern part of Papua.

Indonesia is located in a transition zone between 2 regions of the world's flora and fauna, namely the Asiatis species which is located in the western part of Indonesia, and the Australis type which covers the eastern part of Indonesia. The boundary between the two is called the Wallace Line, which runs in the north between Kalimantan and Sulawesi and in the south between Bali and Lombok. The types of flora and fauna in the boundaries of the 2 areas also have certain characteristics which are commonly known as Transitional Types.

To the west is composed of a community of Asian animals including mammals such as rhinos, orangutans, tapirs, tigers and elephants. On the other hand, in the eastern part (associated with the Australian fauna), it is composed of bird species such as cockatoos, bowerbirds, and magpies. birds of paradise, and marsupials such as bandicoots (small insectivores, herbivorous marsupial mammals) and cuscus (arboreal marsupials hairy).

With Indonesia's geographical conditions as above, Indonesia has a variety of livelihoods, living patterns, and also an economic model that is different from other countries. And because of that, this country has various types of ethnicity, race, culture, religion, and language.

How about my friend geologynesia, isn't it very cool to understand the geographical conditions of an area? As good citizens of this country, we should be grateful for the unique geographical conditions of Indonesia, and don't forget to continue to protect the natural beauty of Indonesia.

Thus the review from About the knowledge.co.id about Indonesian Geographic Conditions, hopefully can add to your insight and knowledge. Thank you for visiting and don't forget to read other articles