Indonesia is an archipelagic country that encompasses more than 17,000 islands inhabited by approximately 255 million inhabitants, a figure that makes Indonesia fourth in terms of the world's largest population country. This figure also implies that much of the cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity can be found within this country. The culture varies greatly, from Hindu rituals practiced daily on the island of Bali, to sharia law in Aceh and to the hunter lifestyle for Mentawai people.
In addition, before the national framework was established, regions in Indonesia experienced a separate political and economic history, a state still visible in the current regional dynamics. The national motto 'Bhinekka Tunggal Ika' (Unity in Diversity) refers to the diverse composition of this country. This motto also shows that, in spite of the multicultural community, there is a true sense of unity in the minds and hearts of Indonesian society.
