Geography
The culmination of Lombok is Mount Rinjani, which climb the 3726 meters, masterfully dominates this small island. The center is largely arrosépermettant crops of rice and spices, cassava or tobacco. The ribs, especially the South, North and the East are much more arid.

Lombok beaches are beautiful and very wild and little traffic, except Sengggigi which has grown relatively large tourist. Off the Gili islands offer magnificent opportunities for scuba diving with funds exceptional reefs. Some surf spots are also famous, especially around Kuta.

Climate
The climate in Lombok is substantially the same as Bali but still drier. So close to shore, the temperature ranges from 27 ° C (dry season) to 32 degrees C (rainy season). In the mountains, it is around 20 to 25 degrees C, depending on altitude. The dry season runs from March to October and the rainy season from November to April with rainfall more pronounced from December to February. The West is much wetter where it can rain in the dry season.
Today’s weather in Mataram (Lombok) with Yahoo

Religion and culture
The Sasak Muslims were the original inhabitants of Lombok and constitute by far the largest ethnic group. They retained their language and their customs. In the West, there is a relatively large population of Balinese Hindus who fled to Lombok during the Dutch invasion. The island also has a few small communities of Chinese, Bugis and Sumbawa. The Sasak practice two forms of Islam: the “waktu telu” is a traditional mixture of Islam and worship of ancestors and the more orthodox Islam.
Although arts and crafts are not as developed as Bali, Lombok is located in beautiful ikats and pottery and basketry are of high quality.

Economy
In the early 90s, Lombok has undergone major changes with the development of tourism including Senggigi (West) where many hotels have flourished along the coast. The Indonesian government wanted to offer an alternative to Bali and major projects were under way in the South. The troubles of 1997 and 2000, however, have put an end to this promising growth and Lombok is little frequented by tourists. Agriculture and fishing remains the main activities of the island and poverty is more present than Bali or Java.

To do and see
Lombok offers less wealth but Bali cultural landscapes are beautiful. Kuta and its region, south, offers beautiful white sand beaches and tourists are rare! There are also some surf spots famous as “Desert Point” accessible only by boat.

West Coast also offers beautiful beaches, but tourism development and the multitude of infrastructure make the stay pleasant little.

The center and the region Tetebatu this beautiful landscapes of rice fields where you can practice hiking. There are also some small artisan villages specializing in PORTERIE or basketry. The ascent of Mount Rinjani is possible from the village of sapit on the south-eastern flank of the volcano. It requires good physical preparation and takes 3 to 5 days. The services of a guide is compulsory.

Gili Islands, North West, are beautiful and lend themselves perfectly to the practice of diving with beautiful corals and diverse aquatic life (sharks, rays, turtles …). Although tourism is largely developed on these three islands, the atmosphere is peaceful and craft engines are banned! Gili Meno and Gili Air are much quieter than Gili Trawangan which has become the benchmark followers of techno!

Capitals: Jakarta, Serang, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya

Area 132 187 km2

Population 115 million inhabitants.

GMT + 7h

Geography
Superb tea plantations in the western part of the island and lush forests that cover the sides of volcanoes; magnificence of Yogyakarta, a true cultural capital, dominated by the intriguing Merapi volcano, the lunar landscape aesthetic very volcanoes to the east … These are the main landscape that suggests the island of Java, rich also many ethnic groups, including the Betawi in Jakarta, the Badui and Sundanese of West Java, the Javanese, who live in central and east of Island and the famous Tengger in the region of Mt Bromo.

Climate
Located between the 6th and 8th parallel south, Java is undergoing an equatorial climate hot and humid throughout the year, tempered by the Java Sea in the north and south Indian Ocean. Temperatures range from 27 ° C and 32 ° C depending on the season and altitude. The dry monsoon (April to October) and the wet monsoon (November to March) will actually succeed, but West Java is the most humid Java. Temperatures can also be very fresh to the tops of volcanoes. The rains usually result from storms of short duration, but sometimes violent, which broke in mid or late afternoon.

Religion
Java is predominantly Muslim, but all religions are everywhere. Javanese Islam is by nature very syncretic, ie tinged with reminiscences Hindu Buddhists or animists. Primarily adherents of Sunni Islam practiced by the Javanese is very tolerant towards minorities spiritual, such as Catholicism and Protestantism (very present in Central Java and around Yogyakarta) and the Buddhism (practiced by Indonesians of Chinese origin) and Hinduism (region of Mt Bromo).

Economy
Economic lung of Indonesia, Java includes the main industries (generally concentrated around major hubs such as Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya), but depends on other islands as natural resources (oil, gas, gold, etc. .. .). Bandung is known for example as a textile capital, while Yogyakarta is rather famous for its teak furniture and crafts. The tourism sector is no exception, since Java is exceptionally rich in historical, cultural and artistic.

Culture
Very early subject of migration, Java is quickly becoming a crossroads of civilizations, including those radiating from India and China, and adopted the Hindu religion, despite a Buddhist interlude to the eighth century (time of construction of the sanctuary of Borobudur) . Java states for the first time its supremacy over the rest of the archipelago at the height of the Empire Mojopahit (XIV century), whose decline, a century later, coincides with the expansion of Islam. This time, however, remains in the collective imagination, the symbol of splendor Javanaise, and that is why today we find many references to the Ramayana and Mahabarata, the two famous Hindu epics, art Batik & dances to traditional music, from the names of large local companies, such Garuda Indonesia, the national airline.

To do and see
Because of its cultural and economic hegemony, Java is unavoidable, even if tourism is more developed in Bali. The major counters such as ports Jakarta (former Batavia), Cirebon, Semarang and Surabaya harbor few splendors of colonial architecture. Bandung, it has long been regarded as “The Paris of Java” and remains famous for hosting the first conference of Non-Aligned Countries. The visit of West Java, however, is recommended for the luxuriance of its nature and its beautiful tea plantations, including its volcanoes including the famous Mt Krakatoa.

The crossing of Java can be such train, and one of the important steps is obviously Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of the island, whose traditions are carefully developed by the current Sultan. Yogyakarta is a city in which to live and visit the old districts are required: the Kraton (palace of the Sultan), built in 1756, the Taman Sari (or Garden of Pleasure), the bird with songbirds hung on top of huge masts, as well as puppet workshops and batik (dyeing process of fabric). And then, no one can leave Yogya without taking the pulse of the avenue Malioboro, the main artery of the city.

The sanctuary of Borobudur Buddhist and Hindu temple of Prambanan, both contained on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also “inevitable”.

A little further east, Surakarta (Solo or) is also very interesting for its batik, its culture and antiquities market. Then, on the road to Bali, the traveler will make other stops at Mt Bromo, one of the most aesthetic volcanoes of Java, and Kawah Ijen, famous for its sulfur convicts “.

The most athletic or the most foolhardy welcomes against easy access to some of the most fascinating volcanoes such as Krakatoa Mts, Gede, Slamet, Merapi, Semeru (the highest Java) & Raung, as well as a few nature reserves known for their endemic fauna and flora (Ujun Kulon, Pangandaran, Meru Betir & Baluran).

For travelers, the discovery of small islands in the probe is an exciting to live their reserve unforgettable moments … a destination to discourage all but those who seek comfort!

Geography and Climate
Again, small Sunda islands offer a stunning variety of landscapes that dominates the islands at the end of the world. You’ll find savanna landscapes and very dry grasslands (Timor, Sumbawa and the small islands of Komodo in particular), fertile valleys and lush forests (in the center and west of Flores and West Sumba) and volcanic reefs tormented with Allegra peaks exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level and volcanoes, some still very active!

This part of Indonesia is subject to strong climatic contrasts. The islands of Sumbawa and Komodo are among the driest in Indonesia while in areas where the terrain is more imposing, the annual rainfall is 4 times higher. On the coast, temperatures are high, attenuation easily 35 ° C while in the mountains, there is a freshness well appreciated.

Culture and Religion
Small islands in the probe a population where disparate religions coexist. Sumbawa is almost entirely Muslim, while Flores is 85% Christian animism although still very present. Sumba, however, remained at 70% animist with extraordinary funeral rites.

This part of Indonesia lies between the Malay world in the West and the world of Melanesian Papuans in the East. A multitude of ethnic people of these islands such as ngada, lio or manggarai in Flores or Dou Donggo in Sumbawa.

The ikat is truly an art in its own right in these islands where there is a rich production, unique in the world, especially in Flores and Sumba.

Economy
Because of their isolation, small islands of the probe are relatively poor. The fishery, culture or crafts remain the main sources of income even if tourism, including Flores, is trying to develop in recent years.

To do and see
Flores is by far the island’s most visited by tourists. It has indeed much to offer. In the west, Bay Labuanbajo is simply magnificent off with a multitude of islands bordered by white sand beaches deserted and seabed among the richest in Indonesia. In addition, the proximity of the Komodo National Park in fact an almost mandatory for those who want to meet the giant lizards! Not far from the town of Ende, in countries Lio, Kelimutu The volcano remains the most visited site of Flores with these three lakes to changing colors … magnificent scenery and unforgettable. You discover Ngada countries, in the center of the island, a population and exciting traditional villages in the heart of lush valleys and thick forests. An area that lends itself perfectly to the hike. Finally, further north, near Riung, the site Pulau Tujuhbelas is an archipelago of 23 islands deserts on a turquoise sea and white sandy beaches that will delight fans of submarine exploration funds with very preserved.

The Komodo National Park, between Sumbawa and Flores, is unique in the world. It is on these small islands, mainly Komodo and rinsed, found the famous Komodo lizard, the last survivors of prehistory. Reaching 3 meters long, these big lizards are able to swallow a buffalo! A 2-hour trip to meet these monsters can also admire beautiful landscapes of savanna and discover buffalo, monkeys, deer and wild horses … A counselor for all lovers of animals and nature.

Much less popular, particularly Sumba and West Island offers a unique culture with traditions very much alive. Tourism here starts to grow slowly but you meet very few people and some basic Bahasa are strongly recommended.

The islands in eastern Flores and Sumba (Sabu, Roti, Alor …) also offer beautiful beaches but to get there by road requires much time and patience … rather it is advisable to discover that part of Indonesia cruise.

Broadly speaking, traveling in the heart of small islands in the probe remains an adventure. Roads are bad, uncomfortable transportation, hotels and simple charm and it is better to devote a minimum of 10 or 15 days. Count on hours of random boat or plane.