fish are of great and growing importance to the
bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing
fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the
Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of
hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia,
Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's
offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands
rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively
exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Indian Ocean Transportation

Ports and harbors: Chennai (Madras; India), Colombo (Sri Lanka),
Durban (South Africa), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kolkata (Calcutta;
India) Melbourne (Australia), Mumbai (Bombay; India), Richards Bay
(South Africa)

Indian Ocean Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral
states)

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@Indonesia

Indonesia Introduction

Background: The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia achieved
independence from the Netherlands in 1949. Current issues include:
implementing IMF-mandated reforms of the banking sector, effecting a
transition to a popularly elected government after four decades of
authoritarianism, addressing charges of cronyism and corruption,
holding the military accountable for human rights violations, and
resolving growing separatist pressures in Aceh and Irian Jaya. On 30
August 1999 a provincial referendum for independence was
overwhelmingly approved by the people of Timor Timur. Concurrence
followed by Indonesia's national legislature, and the name East
Timor was provisionally adopted. The independent status of East
Timor - now under UN administration - has yet to be formally
established.

Indonesia Geography

Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean
and the Pacific Ocean

Geographic coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area: total: 1,919,440 sq km

land: 1,826,440 sq km

water: 93,000 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Texas

Land boundaries: total: 2,602 km

border countries: Malaysia 1,782 km, Papua New Guinea 820 km

Coastline: 54,716 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

exclusive economic zone: