Author Description

Snow-capped mountains tower above the jungles of Irian Jaya, lush rainforests carpet vast expenses of Kalumantan, varying shades of green distinguish plantations of tobacco, palm oil, tea, and coconut in Sumatra and Sulawesi. A dry Pacific climate paints Mediterranean colors on the spice islands to the east, while the emerald padi terraces of Java and Bali are veiled in soft, ground-hugging mists. The architecture of towns, cities, hamlets, palaces, mosques, and temples reflects the mingling tides of culture that have swept the shores of this, the world's largest and most varied archipelago.