The recent history of Indonesia has also been tumultuous. Since independence from Dutch rule, tensions within the country's complex ethnic make-up have ignited into intense separatist and religious conflicts.
In recent times, affected regions have included Aceh, Sumatra; Ambon/Maluku; and East Timor which broke away from Indonesia in 1999 in traumatic circumstances.
The Indonesian economy ranges from agriculture at little more than subsistence level in poorer rural areas, to a modern urban economy based on manufacturing and service sector industries.
Growth has, however, been hampered by the various political and other instabilities affecting Indonesia, together with the economic downturns that swept firstly through Asia and then globally.
Christians in Indonesia
While Indonesians are permitted - required, even - in law to choose between either Islam, or Buddhism, Hinduism or Christianity (in accordance with the government ideology of 'pancasila'), the political strength of Islam has increased in recent years.
In many parts of Indonesia, oppressive spiritual forces are also present as a result of traditional ethnic religions, spiritism and the occult.
The impact of all these things have been increasingly detrimental to Christians, who have experienced signficant pressures and instances of persecution.
Yet vibrant evangelistic and indigenous mission movements have countered some of these forces, particularly of Muslim hostility, bringing strong church growth to certain parts of Indonesia.
