Indonesia is a nation with 250 million inhabitants, most of whom are Muslims. But what do we know about the history, culture, and politics of this major player in Southeast Asia, the guest country of the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2015? This easily understandable introduction provides answers. Garuda, the mythical emblem of the country, symbolizes Indonesia's rise to the third-largest democracy in the world, which seeks its path between tradition and modernity in the 21st century. Philosopher, political advisor, and Jesuit Franz Magnis-Suseno has lived in Indonesia for over five decades. He describes the significant upheavals this country has faced in its 70-year history, outlines the 16 turbulent years following the fall of dictator Suharto in 1998, and places Indonesia's development in the context of its history and culture. How did this relatively young nation come into being? What significance does it hold?.