The country also benefits from a rich soil, due to the volcanic nature of the islands and the prolific vegetation sustained by a hot and humid climate. The supply of natural resources is the basis of industrial output, Japan is the most significant trading partner, with a quarter of all Indonesian goods supplied to Japan. The United States and Singapore are also very important trading partners. Food Rice is the staple diet of the population, meals are generally spicy, with pervasive use of chilies in many fish, meat and vegetable dishes. Indonesian food is generally appreciated and enjoyed by western visitors.
Urban centers have a growing number of International restaurants - particularly Japanese.
Chinese food is extremely popular, ethnic Chinese make up a very significant part of Indonesia's population and Chinese restaurants are very common. History Indonesians are descended from Malay and Papuan peoples, the area was part of the Malayan kingdom of Srivijaya until the Javanese Majapahit kingdom began to dominate. Until the 13th century early cultures were heavily influenced by both China and India. Islam arrived in the 13th century, and gradually spread inland from the coastal areas. Until the 16th century these Muslim trading communities were localized and struggling amongst themselves for supremacy, this made occupation by western powers relatively easy as the significance and value of the area became apparent.