Sumatra

Sumatra is an island with a wealth of natural resources and wildlife, massive rivers like muddy facsimiles of the Amazon, and some interesting architecture.

North Sumatra
Along the length of this province crosses the Bukit Barisan mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. In between are several lakes, one among them is the famous Toba Lake. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches. It has a rich flora and fauna. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, orangutans and many other export commodities make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, as it produces more than 30% of Indonesia's exports. The province offers the visitors, especially nature lovers, beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts.

The people are hospitable and warm. The major tribes are the Malays of the eastern coast, the Bataks consisting of sub-tribes such as Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi), Karonese of the highlands around Lake Toba, the Mandailing and Angkolas from the southern part. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures which can be seen at Samosir island are the centuries old tombs of Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its benches, where meetings were formerly held by the Siallagan chiefs.

South Sumatra
Situated on the eastern side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range the province of South Sumatra is relatively flat, nevertheless fertile, as numerous rivers crisscross and meander throughout the region. Part of this province are two sizable islands called Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast in the South China Sea. Palembang, its capital city and gateway to the province, lies right on the banks of the great Musi river, 60 km upstream and navigable by oceangoing vessels. No wonder that most major social and economic activities should centre in and around Palembang and the Musi river where the region's pride, the Ampera Bridge, is found as well. Because of its sheer location on the southernmost rim of the South China Sea and close to one of world's busiest sea lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's historical background is undoubtedly rich and colourful. Once the very site of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practised a bustling trade with then ancient China during its era of dynasties.

West Sumatra
The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves.

The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which clusters around mosques and the traditional adat houses. As it is the women who owns the property, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Travelling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colourful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coast line where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centres for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving). Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra.

Aceh - Northwestern end of Sumatra
Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have come into contact with the world outside. Chinese chronicles of as early as the sixth century A.D. spoke of a kingdom on the northern tip of Sumatra named Po-Li. Several Arabic writings of the early ninth century, and later inscriptions found in India also mentioned the area. The era of industrialisation has arrived, and with it has come a more open attitude towards things alien. Visitors should keep in mind, though, that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals seriously.

Riau - Eastern Sumatran Coast
The territory of this rich province includes a sizable slice of the eastern Sumatran coast and more than 3,000 islands of all sizes. Riau, although comparatively small in both size and population (about 2.5 million), is the heartland of the Malays and the cradle of Indonesia's Malay-based national language and culture. Its links with Johor on the West Malaysian mainland have been long and strong. Sitting astride one of the world's oldest and busiest trade routes, the Strait of Malacca, the Riau islands have for many centuries provided a safe haven to ships plying the sea lanes between Europe, India and China. The rise of Malay power, however, began somewhere around the 13th century, when the Buddhist kingdom of Sriwijaya began to crumble. Malay kingdoms emerged on both sides of the Malacca Strait.

The smallest islands of the Riau archipelago are no more than rocky reefs, about one hectare (2.5 acres). The larger Bintan, Lingga and Singkep islands are about 1,000 hectares in size.

Lampung is strategically located and easily accessible, particularly from Jakarta. Bandar Lampung, its capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and Telukbetung. In the course of development these towns have spread out to one another to become one single city. Lampung has its own traditions, high valued handicraft and art creations such as woven cloth, interwoven by gold threads called "tapis". Sumatran elephants, tigers and hundreds of species of birds can be watched at the Way Kambas nature reserve. Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world can be seen when it is blooming at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the southern coastline of Sumatra. The province has a great potential in agriculture, however, its population is small.