Raja Ampat atoll, off Papua, Indonesia

From the Big Picture.

Borobudur temple in Java

...or Gormenghast?

From the Big Picture.

Prize winning photos at the Big Picture

An Indonesian man wears a mask against volcanic ash; and much more. (Click for a bigger view.)

Photojournalism from the Planet of Slums

Scavenging at a dumpsite near Jakarta, Indonesia. From the Big Picture.

Reminder: Robin Gendron speaks on Inco and Indonesia on Wed., Feb. 4

Here's the info on this upcoming History Department seminar:

Update: Jessica Parkes, a student in our MA program, should have been listed as co-presenter.

Remember that "obscure country (per capita)?"

The Big Picture has photos!

Most obscure country in the world per capita

I hope no Indonesians reading this Slate article are offended by the tone of the question "Why don't Indonesians know how to swim?" but in North America Indonesia is amazingly unknown, even in regards to the most basic facts, given its size and population.

I simply note that before the end of the 19th century recreational swimming was a rare activity everywhere, and many sailors around the world did not learn on purpose so that they would go down faster if overboard, rather than struggle futilely.

Image: Indonesian ferry.