Where Are Java and Sumatra Located?

Java and Sumatra are two of the largest islands of Indonesia, in the western part of the Indonesian archipelago (Sunda Islands).

• Java – 5th largest island globally (~138,800 km²); lies between Sumatra (west) and Bali (east). Most populous island on Earth (~150M). Capital Jakarta on its northwest coast.
• Sumatra – 6th largest (~473,000 km²); west of Java, separated by the Sunda Strait. Straddles the equator; known for rainforests, volcanoes (Kerinci, Toba), and biodiversity.

Both are part of the Greater Sunda Islands and sit on the seismically active Sunda Plate.