Java Island, Indonesia
The island of Java is home to Indonesia's capital and to some 60% of its population. This huge population of 130 million or so is mostly made up of only 3 native ethnic groups, the Javanese, the Sundanese and the Madurese, making Java the least diverse region of the country culturally.
All this puts off some adventure-thirsty visitors, who think such a sea of teaming humanity is best skipped in favour of more exotic parts. Don't despair: Java does have a lot to offer to anyone. For a start, its people have developed some of the most sophisticated culture, arts and architecture in Indonesia, with ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, and court cities like Yogyakarta and Solo being the main tourist draws here.
Coming right behind is Java's unparalleled collection of volcanoes, some 40 of them being active to this day, ensuring the fertility of the soil here that supports beautiful rice paddies and plantations of tea and spices wherever you look - outside the cities. As for those cities themselves, they are easily the most modern and numerous in Indonesia, offering great opportunities for shopping, nightlife and other worldly concerns.
Wondering if there is still any nature left? Well, Java's undeservedly overlooked national parks are the best managed in the country, offering better facilities and easier wildlife-spotting than the more exotic-sounding regions of Sumatra and Borneo. Oh, and there are of course beaches and off-shore islands, too... though to be fully honest, if these are your priorities, you will find better ones further east.
The island of Java is home to Indonesia's capital and to some 60% of its population. This huge population of 130 million or so is mostly made up of only 3 native ethnic groups, the Javanese, the Sundanese and the Madurese, making Java the least diverse region of the country culturally.
Coming right behind is Java's unparalleled collection of volcanoes, some 40 of them being active to this day, ensuring the fertility of the soil here that supports beautiful rice paddies and plantations of tea and spices wherever you look - outside the cities. As for those cities themselves, they are easily the most modern and numerous in Indonesia, offering great opportunities for shopping, nightlife and other worldly concerns.
Wondering if there is still any nature left? Well, Java's undeservedly overlooked national parks are the best managed in the country, offering better facilities and easier wildlife-spotting than the more exotic-sounding regions of Sumatra and Borneo. Oh, and there are of course beaches and off-shore islands, too... though to be fully honest, if these are your priorities, you will find better ones further east.
