Indonesian archipelago is home to many different ways of life, reflecting the region�s history. Before freedom, the only factor uniting the islands was Dutch colonialism. Although the kingdoms of Sri Vijaya, Majapahit, and Mataram spread their determine widely throughout the islands, none of the native empires ever controlled the whole region. Nor did Buddhism or Hinduism have a remarkable impact in the far eastern stretches. As the nation has modernized and urbanized, life in the cities has evolved new patterns, adding additional variety to Indonesian life.