Fish Market

In addition to the rich culture, Indonesia is full of natural resources. Timber, oil, natural gas, metals, and other ores are fueling this country’s economy. Indonesia is a member of the Oil Producing and Exporting Countries (OPEC); however, it currently is a net importer of oil.

Agriculture plays a very significant role throughout Indonesia. Millions of people farm for their own sustenance, but the country also exports several crops, such as coffee, tea, rice, coconuts, bananas, corn, rubber, and spices. Visitors can see large rice fields on several of the islands. Indonesia, however, is a net importer of rice since its booming population has outpaced the growth of agricultural production. Other major products include textiles, timber, coal, tin, copper, rice, pepper, and palm oil. Indonesia’s major trading partners include Japan, China, the United States, and Singapore.

Despite the setbacks caused by sporadic terrorism and the deadly tsunami that hit Sumatra and the Nias islands in 2004, Indonesian tourism is growing.

Technorati Tags: Indonesia, Indonesian economy, Indonesian tourism, agriculture in Indonesia