April 12, 2021 The Indonesian archipelago is one of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos. Home to over 17,000 islands, mountains rising to over 5,000 metres, including over 70 historically active volcanoes, fabled spices, and a rich flora and fauna, Indonesia has beckoned fortune-seekers and naturalists for centuries. The shores of its far-flung islands are bathed by 2 oceans and at least 11 separate seas, making it a challenging area for hydrographers. In the late 19th century, Indonesia was administered by the Dutch and known as the Dutch East Indies. The terrestrial flora and fauna o...