Geographical Conditions of Indonesia: Location, Land Conditions,

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

Geographical Conditions of Indonesia: Location, Land Conditions, Drainage System, Weather, Population Conditions and Distribution of Flora and Fauna

---

Indonesia is a country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, precisely located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia is an archipelagic country located at and near the equator, and has an area equivalent to one-eighth of the Earth's circle. 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 Island. Based on the position above, the unique and interesting characteristics of Indonesia's geographical conditions are generated because of the influence of its location both on the 2 big landmasses (Australia and Asia) or its location around the line equator.

Not only large islands, Indonesia is also composed of Small Islands (Nusa Tenggara and Bali) with chains an island that stretches eastward through the island of Timor, the Maluku Islands which is located between Sulawesi and the Papuans. The capital city of Indonesia is Jakarta, located near the northwest coast of Java Island. In the early 21st century Indonesia is the most populous country in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous country in the world.

---

Indonesia's Geographical Location

Geographically, Indonesia is located between 2 lands and 2 oceans. Indonesia's geographical location is listed as very strategic and is often referred to as a cross position. Indonesia is flanked by mainland Asia and mainland Australia and 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. Not only that, this geographical location greatly influences the existence of the Indonesian region, both in terms of physical and social conditions as well as economic and political.

---

Indonesian Mainland Conditions

Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia, with a size from east to west of close to 3. 200 miles( 5. 100 kilometers) and from north to south 1. 100 miles( 1. 800 kilometers). Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia in the northern part of the island of Borneo, Papua New Guinea in the middle of the island of New Guinea, and the State of Timor Leste in the middle of the island of Timor.

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

Indonesia has close to 17. 500 islands, of which more than 7. 000 uninhabited islands. Almost 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 large islands of Indonesia are characterized by densely forested volcanic mountains, which slope downward to a seaside plain covered by thick alluvial marshes. Indonesia's unique body structure includes the confluence of 3 main parts of the earth's crust, a chain of volcanoes, and a deep sea trench.

The island of Borneo and the archipelagic arc that includes Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the Lesser Sunda chain in the Sunda Shelf are extensions of the Asian land mass. The shelf is bounded to the south and west by deep sea trenches, such as the Java Trench with the lowest point being 7. 450 m above sea level and forms a continental boundary (land).

New Guinea (New Guinea) and its adjoining islands, including the island of Halmahera, are located in the Sahul Shelf, which is the northwestern extension of the Australian land mass. To the northeast of the Sahul Shelf is bounded by a series of oceanic trenches and to the northwest by several sea trenches, coral reef chains, and a series of seabed 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 a relatively low relief, contains some coral reefs, and is not of a volcanic type. The mountain system extending as far as the South China and Sulawesi seas from this shelf characterizes the outer edge of the Asian land mass. This area is a very large area and is one of the most active volcanic zones in the world.

The outer (south) side of the Sumatran chain of islands through Java and Lesser Sunda forms the frontier of the mainland of Southeast Asia. This is indicated 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. The sea on the north side was created at the end of the Pleistocene Era (near 12. 000 years ago), and the fact that the rest of the land (such as a natural bridge) facilitated the migration of plants and animals from mainland Asia.

• Soil Characteristics

Soil in Indonesia illustrates the bond between air and source rock is one of the interesting geographical conditions of Indonesia. The dominant rocks in Java are volcanic andesite (black gray rock composed of oligoclase or feldspar minerals), On the other hand, rhyolite (acidic lava form of granite) is dominant in Sumatra, granite in the Riau Islands, sedimentary rocks in Kalimantan and Papuans.

Soils produced in moist areas consist of lateritic soils containing iron oxides and aluminum hydroxides with alterations in fertility levels depending on the rock of origin. Laterite defined here includes dark margalite soil, gray soil, and red limestone soil.

The most productive soil is the Ando soil type, which is formed in andesitic volcanic deposits on the northeastern coast of Sumatra. The land can also be seen in Java and Sulawesi. Productive soil can also come from volcanic ash carried by the wind, after which it is deposited as a homogeneous composition of inorganic material in a wide zone.

Universally, the constant heat and heavy rainfall in most parts of Indonesia have led to processes of erosion, weathering, and leaching of the soil content. In areas covered by tropical rain forests such as Kalimantan, the soil can be maintained by the forest cycle. When plants die, they decompose rapidly, releasing nutrients that are reabsorbed by the development of new vegetation.

Although this type of soil is very supportive of 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 cause accelerated land destruction.

---

Drainage Systems and Rivers in Indonesia

Compared to other countries located in mainland Asia, 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. Papua Island, which most of its territory receives heavy rainfall, is drained by several large rivers such as the Baliem, Mamberamo, and Digul.

Indonesia has several popular 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 ​​close to 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 significant hydrological feature and functions well as a facility transportation or as a barrier that protects cultural features and areas between islands found in Indonesia. Shallow seas located between small islands are a source of offshore oil deposits, natural gas and minerals.

---

Weather in Indonesia

Determining the weather in Indonesia is one aspect of Indonesia's geographical condition. Included in this type of weather and air include rainfall, wind direction, air pressure, air temperature, and 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 Indonesian area to find sufficient sunlight throughout the year in various regions.

Indonesia's air condition is influenced by monsoons, which are winds that blow every 6 months and always change direction. The 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 condition of the sea so humid.

Air is a distinctive characteristic of the geographical condition of Indonesia. Indonesian Eve is largely defined 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 overall nature. Not only that, 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 mass winds.

The highest temperatures are located as far as the seashore, where the average annual temperature ranges from 70 to 80°F. In Indonesia, areas above altitude 2. 000 feet (600 m) will tend to be cooler, only the Maoke Mountains in Papua are very cold temperatures signaled by the arrival of snow. In Jakarta, on a hot day the temperature can reach almost 100°F (38°C), on the other hand in very cold it can drop to close to 65°F (18°C).

Most parts of Indonesia receive heavy rainfall throughout the year, with the highest amount occurring from December to March. However, from Central Java to the east towards Australia, the dry period begins to be felt even from June to October.

The islands of Timor and Sumba have received very little rain for months. The highest rainfall amounts are often found in the mountainous regions of Sumatra, mountainous 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, south 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 very close to Australia, only get 40 to 60 inches (1. 000 to 1. 500 millimeters) per year.

The formation of mass alteration in Indonesia is caused by Asian monsoon wind drift and convergence tropical air masses from north and south of the equator as far as the intertropical line pressurize low. Mass wind patterns in certain parts of the archipelago depend on the position either to the north or to the east south of the equator, familiarity with Australia or mainland Asia, or in the forward position intertropical.

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

When the east monsoon has crossed the equator or becomes the southwest monsoon in the Northern Hemisphere, the wind becomes humid and becomes a source of rain. Sumatra and Kalimantan, which are located close to the equator and far from Australia, in general does not have a dry period, although rainfall tends to be lower throughout July and August. Strong typhoons tend not to occur in Indonesia, but thunderstorms are quite common in Indonesia.

---

Indonesian Population Condition

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

• Beach Area

Many residents in the seaside area work as fishermen and in fishing zones. The settlement pattern in the seaside area is usually elongated and along the sea line.

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

• Lowland Region

In the lowlands, the conditions of the Indonesian population are more diverse. Lowland areas are very common. The lowlands became the center of industry, trade and government. Indonesian people in the lowlands have a variety of jobs.

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

• Mountain Region or Highlands

The condition of the population in Indonesia in the mountains is also quite diverse. The majority of the population in the highlands work in agricultural and plantation areas because it is supported by sufficient weather.

Temperatures in mountainous areas tend to be cooler and cooler. Mountain areas also have productive land. Generally, mountainous areas are also used as tourist attractions and natural excursions.

Geographical Conditions of the State of Indonesia – Indonesia is a country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, precisely located between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indonesia is an archipelagic country located at and around the equator, and has an area equivalent to one-eighth of the Earth's circle. 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 Papua. Based on the location above, the unique and interesting characteristics of Indonesia's geographical conditions are generated because: the influence of its position both on the two major landmasses (Australia and Asia) as well as its position around the line equator.

In addition to large islands, Indonesia is also composed of Small Islands (Nusa Tenggara and Bali) with a chain of islands which stretches eastward through the island of Timor, the Maluku Islands which is located between Sulawesi and the Papuans. The capital city of Indonesia is Jakarta, located near the northwest coast of the island of Java. At the beginning 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 flower plants, listed 5. 000 species of orchids, and the monster flower (Rafflesia arnoldii), which is the most abundant flower in the world. There are more than 3. 000 species include 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 located at the bottom 5. 000 feet( 1. 500 meters). Above 5. 000 feet( 1. 500 m) forest type will shift to highland forest which is dominated by oak, laurel, tea and magnolia plant species.

Another distinctive characteristic of Indonesian vegetation is the mangrove forest, which is characterized by the formation of a tree that has stumps or roots, which only grows in salt or brackish water as far as the shores of the sea muddy. Mangrove swamps are found widely along the shallow seas of eastern Sumatra, southern Kalimantan and southeastern Papua.

Indonesia is located in a transition zone between two regions of the world's flora and fauna, namely the Asiatic species which is located in the western part of Indonesia, and the Australis species which covers the eastern part of Indonesia. The boundary between the two is known as 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 two areas also have certain characteristics which are commonly known as Transitional Types.

In the west is composed of Asian animal communities including mammals such as rhinos, orangutans, tapirs, tigers, and elephants. On the other hand, in the east (associated with the fauna of Australis) composed of types of birds such as cockatoos, bowerbirds, and 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, patterns of living, and also an economic model that is different from other countries. And because of that, this country has various types of tribes, races, cultures, religions, and languages.

How about geologists, it's very cool, isn't it understanding the geographical conditions of an area?. Like the people of a good country, we should be grateful for the unique geographical condition of Indonesia, and don't forget to keep protecting the natural beauty of Indonesia.

That's the review from About Knowledge.co.id about Indonesia's Geographical Condition, Hopefully it can add to your insight and knowledge. Thank you for visiting and don't forget to read other articles