Capital of Indonesia: Jakarta — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta. Indonesia sits in Asia, has a population of 275,501,339, and uses the IDR. Official languages include Indonesian.
Quick facts
- Capital: Jakarta
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~275,501,339
- Area: 1,904,569 km²
- Population density: 145 people per km²
- Official language: Indonesian
- Currency: IDR
- ISO code: ID
How big is Indonesia?
By population, Indonesia ranks 4th in the world, holding roughly 3.46% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 14th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Indonesia has 145 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.4 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Indonesia is the 3rd most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Indonesia in population are Pakistan (235,824,862) and Nigeria (218,541,212).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Sudan (1,861,484 km²) and Mexico (1,964,375 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Indonesian is listed as an official language of Indonesia alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Indonesia uses the IDR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Indonesia
Jakarta is on Java, the island where more than half of all Indonesians live. A new capital, Nusantara on Borneo, has been planned since 2022, but the capital's legal role stays in Jakarta until a presidential decree moves it, so Jakarta is still the quiz answer. For the flag: red over white is Indonesia (and Monaco); flip it to white over red and you have Poland.
The flag of Indonesia: red and white
🇮🇩 The flag is two equal horizontal stripes, red on top and white below. Red stands for courage and white for purity. The colours come from the banner of the Majapahit Empire of the 13th to 15th centuries, and the flag is called Sang Saka Merah Putih, 'the Heirloom Red-White'.
Region and neighbours
Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans, made up of thousands of islands including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and parts of Borneo and New Guinea. It shares land borders with 3 countries: Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. All three borders are on shared islands: Borneo with Malaysia, New Guinea with Papua New Guinea, and Timor with Timor-Leste.
- Malaysia 🇲🇾 — capital Kuala Lumpur
- Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬 — capital Port Moresby
- Timor-Leste 🇹🇱 — capital Dili
Three facts about Indonesia
- Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state, with between 13,000 and 17,000 islands.
- Puncak Jaya, 4,884 m high on New Guinea, is Indonesia's highest peak, and Lake Toba on Sumatra is its largest lake.
- The Komodo dragon was made one of Indonesia's official national animals by a presidential decree in 1993.
Sources: Wikipedia: Indonesia, Wikipedia: Flag of Indonesia, Wikipedia: Jakarta, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Indonesia
- Asian capitals quiz — match Indonesia to Jakarta
- Asian flags quiz — spot the Indonesia flag among its neighbours
Indonesia capital quiz
What is the capital of Indonesia 🇮🇩?
- Baku
- Thimphu
- Jakarta
- Singapore
Show answer
Jakarta
What is the capital of Pakistan 🇵🇰?
- Abu Dhabi
- Astana
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Islamabad
Show answer
Islamabad
What is the capital of Bangladesh 🇧🇩?
- Dhaka
- Bishkek
- Thimphu
- Bandar Seri Begawan
Show answer
Dhaka
What is the capital of Japan 🇯🇵?
- Yerevan
- Tokyo
- Ashgabat
- Muscat
Show answer
Tokyo
What is the capital of Philippines 🇵🇭?
- Kuala Lumpur
- Beijing
- Kabul
- Manila
Show answer
Manila
Indonesia is also in the Southeast Asia capitals quiz.
Indonesia in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Indonesia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Indonesia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Indonesia?
The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta.
What is the population of Indonesia?
About 275,501,339, making it the 4th most populous country in the world.
How big is Indonesia?
1,904,569 square kilometres, ranking 14th by land area, at a density of 145 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Indonesia use?
The IDR, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Indonesia flag?
The flag of Indonesia is two equal horizontal stripes, red on top and white below. Red stands for courage and white for purity. The colours come from the banner of the Majapahit Empire of the 13th to 15th centuries, and the flag is called Sang Saka Merah Putih, 'the Heirloom Red-White'.
Which countries border Indonesia?
Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. All three borders are on shared islands: Borneo with Malaysia, New Guinea with Papua New Guinea, and Timor with Timor-Leste.
How can I remember the capital of Indonesia?
Jakarta is on Java, the island where more than half of all Indonesians live. A new capital, Nusantara on Borneo, has been planned since 2022, but the capital's legal role stays in Jakarta until a presidential decree moves it, so Jakarta is still the quiz answer. For the flag: red over white is Indonesia (and Monaco); flip it to white over red and you have Poland.
More capitals to learn
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