Java is nature's masterpiece with many impressive volcanoes, fertile grounds and mighty rivers. The incredible fertility of the land has been recorded in the earliest historical recordings.

The blessings of nature were used well by the Javanese and far before colonial times Java was one of the richest argicultural area in the world.

The famous ancient Javanese civilisation produced religious masterpieces like Borobudur and Prambanan also ruled the neighbouring islands. In the 14th century the kingdom of Majapahit was even bigger than current Indonesia. From the 16th century Java became one of the most important islands for the Dutch V.O.C. trade company. Under Dutch colonization Java produced coffee, tea, rubber and much more.

Java, together with Bali, forms the 'ring of fire'. There are 37 volcanoes of which 23 have been active in the last 400 years. The last 25 years there have been around 20 erruptions. Merapi is the most active one, but Semeru, Galunggung and Kelud are just as unpredictable as active.

The area frequently experiences earthquakes (around 400 per year) of different aptitude.

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