Over 100
million people live here on an island the size of
California. Its over-population is a real problem
in Java where family planning campaigns and the
transmigration policy have had little effect on
the inexorable upward trend. Beyong sheer weights
of number, however, the Javanese also possess a
rich historical record and a unique cultural
heritage. Javas dance and dramatic
traditions, wayang puppets, gamelan music and
batik textiles are famous all over the worlds as
are its ancient temples and elegant places. The
islands phyiscal beauty is less widely renowed,
but no less captivating. Tropical rain forest,
alphine meadows, pristine beaches, Java has a
place for almost everyone. Java is distinguished
by its many volcanoes and indeed, volcanoes are
such a dominent feature of the landscape that one
of the islands cone is almost always within
view.