Where is indonesia and the island of sumatra. Sumatra in Indonesia: interesting places and useful information
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Sumatra is one of the largest islands, with amazing tropical landscapes, ancient temple complexes and virgin nature, represented by exotic plants and rare living creatures that live only here, in the area of the Malay Archipelago, which belongs to the group of the Greater Sunda Islands. Travel lovers from different parts of the world come here to see the bright and rich world of flora and fauna with their own eyes, swim in the gentle waters of the Indian Ocean and feel the atmosphere of this paradise piece of land.
Peculiarities
Sumatra is famous for its national parks, majestic volcanoes, picturesque rivers and lakes, thermal springs, colorful flora and fauna, interesting museums and original culture. This area has rich reserves of oil, tin, gold, coal. In addition, there are a large number of plantations where coffee, coconut, rice, spices, tea and tobacco are grown. The main sectors of the island's economy are agriculture and mining, which, combined with tourism, contribute annually to the development of Sumatra. According to its administrative structure, the island is divided into a dozen provinces, consisting of cities and towns, where there are residential areas, restaurants, hotels, shops, shopping centers and entertainment venues.
This exotic piece of Indonesia is of great interest to researchers of the animal world, given that there are almost 200 species of mammals, more than 190 species of reptiles and amphibians, many varieties of fish and birds. Tree ferns, creepers, broad-leaved deciduous species, maple, chestnut, coniferous trees, palm trees, ficuses and other vegetation grow in forests, which make up 30% of the entire surface. The northeast coast abounds with mangrove thickets, and wide savannahs stretch in the intermountain plains. In the central part of Sumatra rises the Toba volcano, whose explosion tens of thousands of years ago, according to geologists, caused the Ice Age. The local population is mainly formed from Malays, Chinese, Javanese and Bugis. The dominant religion is Islam, although there are adherents of other religious directions.
general information
The territory of Sumatra is 473 thousand square meters. km, with a population of over 50.5 million people. The time is ahead of Moscow by 4-6 hours, depending on the specific location of a particular city. Timezone UTC+7, UTC+9.
A brief excursion into history
The first states were formed in Sumatra back in the 2nd century, and in the 7th century these lands almost entirely belonged to the ancient Malay kingdom of Srivijaya. Then they became part of the Majapahit empire. From the end of the 15th to the beginning of the 20th century, the Muslim Sultanate of Aceh reigned here, which, despite the Dutch colonization, stubbornly resisted the conquerors until Indonesia declared its independence. Now, Aceh is one of the provinces of the island. After receiving autonomous status in 2001, Islamic laws were finally established in Sumatra. The devastating tsunami of 2004 caused serious damage to the island, but since then it has managed to fully recover and is now considered one of the most prosperous regions in Indonesia.
Climate
Sumatra has an equatorial, hot and humid climate with an average annual air temperature of about +26 degrees. Most of the precipitation falls on December-February, although formally, the rainy season stretches for a slightly longer period. However, the rains here are rarely prolonged, and cloudy weather quickly changes to sunny. Strong winds often blow, contributing to high waves. Tourists come here throughout the year, though it’s never superfluous to ask about the weather forecast for the coming days anyway.
How to get there
One of the most common ways to get to Sumatra is a direct flight to what is on the island, and from there local airlines to Medan Airport, considered one of the main transport hubs on the island.
Transport
Internal public transport is represented by buses and taxis, as well as seaports, at the pier of which numerous yachts, ferries and boats are moored.
Major cities
The main cities of the island are Medan, Palembang and Padang. The largest of them - Medan, has the status of the capital of the province of North Sumatra and is located in close proximity to important transport points: the seaport of Belawan and the international airport Polonia. Among the most interesting architectural objects here stand out the great mosque Masjid Raya, the palace of the Sultan Istana Maimun, the Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bukit Kubu local history museum and the Chinese temple Vihara Gunung Timur. In Palembang, it is worth visiting the museums of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin and Balaputra Deva, as well as visiting a small but very colorful zoo with crocodiles, orangutans, elephants, bears, exotic birds and other animals. The town of Bugittingi is known as a place for bullfights and a kind of transit point for excursions in Sumatra.
Beaches
Due to the volcanic origin of the island, the local beaches have a characteristic black tint, and perhaps therefore, the interest of vacationers in them is somewhat limited. Most tourists prefer to spend time on the shores of lakes, so the sea coast is provided for the use of lovers of water sports. by the very famous beach here it is considered coastline Tuk-Tuk, on the island of Samosir, which is part of the national park. Sometimes here you can see representatives of wildlife walking right by the water.
Attractions and entertainment
One of the main tourist sites of Sumatra is the legendary Lake Toba, formed about 75 thousand years ago, among steep mountains and deep gorges. On Mount Belirang, Samosir Islands, are thermal springs, whose water has healing properties, and in the village of Simanido, inquisitive travelers are advised to visit the Huta Bolon Museum and watch the performance of the traditional Toba Batak dance. In the village of Ambarita, guests have the opportunity to admire the group of stone thrones on which elders and judges sit during important public decisions. In the settlement of Tomok, the museum of Raja Sidabatu attracts attention.
For connoisseurs of wildlife, the largest national park in Southeast Asia, Gunung Luser, located on the border between the province of Aceh and North Sumatra, is of great interest. On its territory, visitors can see hundreds of species of exotic birds, as well as rare animals, including gibbons, macaques, orangutans, Sumatran tigers, leopards, and elephants. For physically prepared adventurers, there are hiking trails to the Lucer and Loser mountains, as well as rafting on the Whampoa River.
Another national park worthy of admiration in Sumatra is Kerinsi-Seblat, founded in 1982 around the volcano Kerisi. Dense jungle, rare animals and amazing plants, including the famous rafflesia flowers and amorphophallus, serve as the main attractions of the park. Fans of hiking excursions can get a lot of pleasure here from climbing to the mouth of the volcano or walking to the high-altitude lake Gunung-Tudzhukh. In the town of Kersik-Tua, those who wish have the opportunity to rent the necessary equipment. A boat trip to the majestic Krakatau volcano, which caused the death of tens of thousands of people when it exploded in 1883, is also extremely exciting. reputation as a great place to beach holiday has an island. For fans of active pastime at night, numerous bars and discos are open in many settlements and cities of the island.
Kitchen
In the culinary establishments of Sumatra, visitors are provided with an extremely diverse menu, where, in addition to rice traditional for Southeast Asia, you can try all kinds of meat, fish delicacies, fresh fruits and vegetables. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the local juices and other drinks.
shopping
All sorts of goods are sold in shops and trade shops, from inexpensive clothes to elite cosmetics and perfumes. Tourists often buy wooden figurines, parasols and other handicrafts as souvenirs.
Sumatra is considered one of the most mysterious, vibrant and colorful islands on the entire Asian continent. A rich flora and fauna, a long history and incredible beauty of nature, combined with the special culture and traditions of the local population, make your stay in this place as informative as possible and filled with a lot of positive impressions.
Geographical position
Sumatra island- an island in the western part of the Malay Archipelago, in the group of the Greater Sunda Islands, with adjacent small islands (the area of which is about 30 thousand km²). It is part of Indonesia. Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world.
Sumatra is located in both hemispheres and is divided by the equator into almost equal parts. The area of the island is about 473 thousand km².
The island stretches from the northwest to the southeast for about 1.8 thousand km, and reaches a width of 435 km.
Sumatra is the westernmost of the main islands of the Indonesian archipelago.
The Malacca Strait separates Malacca and Sumatra. Sumatra is separated from Java by the Sunda Strait.
The coastline is slightly indented, coral reefs are found near the coast.
The largest lake in Sumatra is Toba.
Sumatra is characterized by a high magnitude of earthquakes (up to 7-8 points).
How to get there
By air
Due to the large size of the island and the lack of public transport, the fastest way to get around Sumatra is by air. There are no direct flights to Sumatra from Moscow and other cities in Russia, so tourists who want to visit the island must fly with a transfer at one of the airports in Indonesia (usually Jakarta airport acts as such) or other countries.
Although there are 12 airports on the third largest island of Indonesia, the main one most often used by tourists is the Kuala Namu International Airport, located in the capital of the island, Medan.
Medan Kuala Namu International Airport (KNO)
Address: Kuala Namu International Airport, Deli Serdang, Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Phone: + (62 61) 888-805-10
Medan International Airport is located near the city of Kuala Namu, 42 km from the center of the capital of Sumatra. He replaced in 3013 the outdated and unable to cope with the passenger flow of Polonia Airport (formerly the main airport in Sumatra). Kuala Namu Airport has become the second largest airport in Indonesia (after Jakarta Airport), capable of handling more than 8 million passengers a year through its state-of-the-art terminal.
A number of local and international carriers (Air Asia, Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia Air, Malaysian Air, Lion Air, Silk Air, Thai Air) operate flights from here to various airports in Sumatra, Java, as well as to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Transfer from Kuala Namu Airport is carried out using two main types of public transport:
Railway express company Railink, running every half hour from the Bandara Kuala Namu station adjacent to the airport, to the main station of Medan (ticket - 80-250 thousand ind. rupees / 240-750 rubles, 35-40 minutes on the way).
Regular buses (Damri, Bintang Utara, Sentosa companies) to Terminal Amplas and Medan Fair Plaza bus stations (ticket - 10-15 thousand ind. rupees / 31-46 rubles).
From Kuala Namu Airport to Medan, you can also take a taxi, the counters of which are located inside the terminal. The average cost of a taxi ride by the most popular Bluebird company is 120 thousand ind. rupees (360 rubles).
By water transport
There are 5 major seaports in Sumatra, which are located in the cities of Medan, Padang, Dumai, Banda Aceh and Sibolga. Get to Sumatra by water You can use ferries that depart from the ports of Java, as well as neighboring countries - Malaysia and Singapore.
The most popular ferry route from Java to Sumatra lies between the ports of Bakauheni (then by bus to the city of Bandar Lampung) and Merak (regular bus service with Jakarta), located at the Sunda Strait separating these two islands.
Most of the ferry routes in Sumatra are organized by the state company Pelni. The schedule can be found on the company's website.
There are also a number of international ferry routes from Sumatra, in particular to Malaysia and Singapore. The main ferry operators that organize flights from Sumatra to Malaysia (Penang port) and Singapore (Batam port) are Langkawi Ferry Service and Fast Ferry Ventures.
Visa
Visa to Indonesia easy to get, right at the Medan airport, paying only 25 dollars. This is perhaps the most expensive thing to find in Sumatra.
Climate
The climate is equatorial, hot and humid. Average monthly temperatures vary from 25 to 27o. In December - March, northeast winds prevail, in July - September - southwest, from the Indian Ocean. Precipitation varies from 1000 mm per year in the east of the island to 4000 in the west, and in some mountainous areas - up to 6000 mm.
There are many rivers in Sumatra. The largest of them are oriented to the northeast. The main rivers of Sumatra are: Rokan, Kampar, Inderagiri, Hari, Musi.
Sumatra is rich in lakes. The largest of them is Lake Toba.
Video
Population
Population of Sumatra- 28 million people
Economy. The basis of the economy of Sumatra is agriculture and mining. Rice, rubber plants, coconut palms, cafes, tea, and tobacco are grown. Sumatra with the adjacent islands is rich in natural resources (oil, iron, coal, gold, nickel, tin). Oil production in Sumatra is 4/5 of all production in Indonesia. There are oil refineries, textile and food enterprises. developed sea transport. Main ports: Belawan (near Medan), Palembang, Padang.
Nature
Lake Toba. It is located in the caldera of a giant ancient volcano and is the largest and deepest lake in Southeast Asia. The length of the lake is 100 km, width - 40 km, area - 1145 km2. The depth of the lake is more than 450 m (according to other sources - 433 m). In the center of the lake is the island of Samosir (530 square kilometers, i.e. about the same as Singapore). On the island of Samosir there is another lake - Sidokhoni (small). The surface of Lake Toba is located at an altitude of 906 m above sea level. Once the water level in the lake was 150 m higher, and it continues to gradually decrease.
Vegetation. 30% of the territory of Sumatra is covered with tropical forest. Especially well preserved forests in mountainous areas. In the humid equatorial forests of Sumatra, up to a height of 1500 m, ficuses, various types of palm trees, giant bamboos, tree ferns, and lianas predominate. In the mountains above 1500 m, tropical forests are common, dominated by evergreen oaks and laurels, as well as broad-leaved deciduous (maple, chestnut) and coniferous trees. Above 3000 m, stunted forests grow. shrubs and herbs. In intermountain depressions, sheltered from moist winds, there are patches of savannah. On the low-lying northeast coast, mangroves are widespread.
Animal world varied in forests. The orangutan, siamang, gibbons, macaques, woolly wing, Indian elephant, black-backed tapir, Sumatran rhinoceros, striped pig, leopard, island civet cat, Malay bear, various types of squirrels, bats, many birds, various amphibians, reptiles and insects are common here.
Vertebrate biodiversity in Sumatra is as follows: 196 species of mammals, 194 reptiles, 62 amphibians, 272 fish and 456 birds. Of this number, 9 species of mammals, 19 birds and 30 fish are endemic (that is, they do not live anywhere except in Sumatra).
Hotels, hotels, prices
SANTIKA PREMIERE DYANDRA HOTEL & CONVENTION - MEDAN ****
This stylish 4-star hotel features the city's largest convention center. The Paladium shopping and entertainment center is a 5-minute drive away. It features a spa and free parking. Guests can enjoy free WiFi.
Air-conditioned rooms at Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotel & Convention - Medan feature modern interiors, a safety deposit box, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The private bathrooms come with a shower and toiletries.
Guests can enjoy massage treatments at the spa or relax in the sauna. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available. Car rental, travel arrangements and airport transfers are available at an extra charge.
Benteng Restaurant serves a variety of international dishes.
Sun City Shopping and Entertainment Complex and Polonia International Airport are a 15-minute drive from Santika Premiere Dyandra.
Rooms: 324
Hotel chain: Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts
GRAND JATRA HOTEL PEKANBARU*****
Located in the center of Pakanbaru, Grand Jatra Hotel connects to Pekanbaru Shopping Center and is less than a minute's drive from Senapelan Plaza. The hotel offers a business center and meeting rooms. Free parking is provided.
Grand Jatra Hotel is a 5-minute drive from Pasar Bawah Gift Shop. Sultan Syarif Qasim II Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.
Each room has a flat-screen TV with cable channels, tea/coffee making facilities and a safety deposit box. Toiletries and slippers are also provided.
Guests can enjoy the spa, fitness center and outdoor pool. You can also book a massage session in your room. The hotel provides laundry services and car rentals.
The Bellagio Restaurant serves a wide range of Asian and international dishes. Enoki Restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine.
Rooms: 200
Sumatra is perhaps the most dangerous and most beautiful island in Indonesia. Traveling in Sumatra is a worthy challenge for any self-respecting adventurer. On one side of the scale is absolutely gorgeous nature, incredible cultural experience, low prices and no a large number tourists, on the other - constant natural disasters: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, floods and tsunamis.
Of the main wealth is the picturesque lake Toba, National parks home to rare orangutan species, magnificent crater lakes, authentic villages and the beautiful coral reefs of Weh Island.
Sumatra is a large island, in terms of area - the 6th in the world. Geographically, Sumatra stretches from the north of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands south to the island of Java, the northeast coast is adjacent to Malaysia and is washed by the Strait of Malacca, the west coast is washed by the Indian Ocean.
North Sumatra is the most popular region of the island among travelers, it is here that the main attractions of the island are located - Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang.
Plan to spend at least a week in Sumatra.
North Sumatra
North Sumatra is the most popular and easily accessible region of the island. Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully here. The main airport of the region is located in the city of Medan, the largest city of Sumatra and the capital of the Northern region, from which almost all travel around the island begins.
Medan
Medan - This large, densely populated city, located on the northeast coast of the island, is the starting point for most travel in Sumatra. Usually travelers try not to linger in Medang, but for those who want to experience the atmosphere of urban non-tourist Sumatra, Medang is a great place.
A popular way to explore the city's sights is to rent a besak (motorbike with a passenger cabin). It should be noted that Medang is famous for its special local cuisine, whose dishes can be tasted in the restaurants of the city.
How to get there: by plane to Medan (Medan, KNO) from Kuala Lumpur and Pedang (Malaysia), Bangkok and Hai Yai (Thailand), Singapore and Hong Kong, from the island of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya), as well as from Banda Aceh and Weh Islands in Sumatra.
Lake Toba
Lake Toba is the largest crater lake in the world and a favorite destination for backpackers in Sumatra. Samosir Island, located in the center of Lake Toba, is actually the goal of those who come to Toba. Here, a lot of modern guest houses coexist with the traditional houses of the local Batak people.
In addition to incredible landscapes and local attractions, the Toba region is also famous for its pleasant, relaxed and very lazy atmosphere, seasoned with a slight internal jitters from the fact that you are in the center of an extinct but extinct volcano.
Most of the local guest houses are located right at the water's edge. The format of recreation on the lake is long walks, motorbike rides, fishing with locals or just a hammock book.
How to get there: by bus from Medan (4-6 hours) to the city of Parapat, located on the banks of the Toba, from there by boat to the island of Samosir (Samosir); on tourist minivans from Berastagi and Bukit Lawang.
The largest crater lake in the world is Lake Toba. Photo credit: Claudio Schlossmacher, Flickr
Samosir Island, Sumatra. Photo credit: Marc Veraart, Flickr
Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang is a small village located next to Gunung Leuser National Park. From the 70s of the last century until recently, Bukit Lawang operated an orangutan rehabilitation center, thanks to which the small village has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sumatra. At the time of writing, Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is closed (check up-to-date information when planning a trip), but the village actively offers 1-2 day hiking tours to the national park.
Trekking through the jungle in search of orangutans is the main goal of travelers in Bukit Lawang. Trekking is offered in different formats - from easy walks through the jungle to more complex programs.
How to get there: by bus from Medan, by tourist minivans from Lake Toba and Berastagi
Bukit Lawang village. Photo credit: Nick Jensen, Flickr
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Bukit Lawang. Photo credit: Flip Flop Crusaders, Flickr
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Bukit Lawang. Photo credit: N/A, Flickr
Berastagi
Berastagi is a small, very pretty town located in the mountains, not far from Lake Toba. The city itself, except for the fruit and vegetable market, which sells local delicacies, is deprived of special attractions. But, there is a pleasant colorful atmosphere, interesting cultural traditions of the small Karo people living in the region, and incredibly picturesque surroundings.
Trekking to the Sinabung and Sibayak volcanoes and to the Sipiso-Piso and Sikulikap waterfalls, as well as visiting the local traditional villages, is worth making a stop in Berastagi.
How to get there: by bus from Medan, by tourist minivans from Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang
Nias Island
This small island, located just over 100 km off the south coast of North Sumatra, is well off the traditional hiking trails. Lagundri Bay on Nias Island is one of the "secret places" for adventurous surfers. From housing there are a couple of surf camps and homestays, from activities - surfing, walking around the island, swimming with big turtles and delicious food.
How to get there: by plane (Nias, GNS) from Medan and Padang.
Beach on the island of Nias. Photo credit: DocBudie, Flickr
Pulau Weh Island - This tiny island in the farthest north of Sumatra, which is "zero kilometer", is included in the list of the best dive destinations in the world. White sand, emerald water and magnificent coral reefs attract more and more travelers who are looking for an alternative to the popular islands of Thailand and Malaysia. The format of housing on the island is from ascetic bamboo bungalows to nice hotels.
How to get there: by plane to Sabang from Medang; by regular ferry (1.5-2 hours) or by high-speed ferry (about 45 minutes) from Banda Aceh.
Weh Island
Pulau Weh Island, Sumatra. Photo credit: Romaric Juniet, Flickr
West Sumatra
West Sumatra borders North Sumatra, and if you have time, it is definitely worth the attention of travelers.
Padang
Padang - once a great Danish port, today - the most Big city and the capital of West Sumatra. Like Medan, Padang most often serves as a transit point for travel, but avoiding at least one night in Padang is quite difficult. The best way to make the most of your time is culinary adventures, the local food is famous for its spiciness and the use of unusual ingredients. In Chinatown, in the very center of the old city, you can find good guest houses and a lot of very tasty and very spicy food.
How to get there: by plane to Padang (Padang, PDG) from Kuala Lumpur, from the island of Java (Jakarta and Bandung), as well as from Medang and Nias Island.
Showcase with traditional dishes, Padang. Photo credit: stratman² (2 many pix and busy), Flickr
Bookittings
Bukittinggi is a rather large city, picturesquely spread out on the hills, which will please both nature lovers and seekers of interesting places. Even without leaving the city, you can see the traditional houses of the Minangkabau people, admire the incredible views of the Ngarai Sianok canyon from the park areas and spend time with benefit in local cafes and souvenir shops.
Renting a motorbike, you can go to the flourishing Harau Valley, Lake Maninzhau and visit the traditional Minangkabau villages.
How to get there: by bus from Padang (3 hours), Lake Maninzhau (2 hours), Toba Island (about 15 hours).
Bukittinggi, Sumatra. Photo credit: alice emilie, Flickr
Canon Ngarai Sianok. Photo credit: hanif (mhanif), Flickr
Lake Maninzhau
Lake Maninjau cannot boast of the same popularity as the legendary Lake Toba, travelers very rarely stop here. But, the places here are magical and absolutely relaxing. Having settled in one of the guest houses on the lake, you can spend a day or two doing nothing surrounded by beautiful nature. Of the available "entertainment" - long walks in the vicinity and paragliding over the lake.
How to get there: by motorbike or local bus from Bukittinggi
Lake Maninjau, Sumatra. Photo credit: mark.rutgers, Flickr
Mentawai Islands
The Mentawai Islands are somewhat big islands located 100 km from west coast Sumatra. There are some great but dangerous surf spots here, so most of the island's visitors are experienced and adventurous surfers. From housing here surf camps and surf resorts.
How to get there: by regular ferry (about 8 hours) or by high-speed ferry (about 3 hours) from Padang.
Surfing on the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra. Photo credit: Cynthia, Flickr
A tribe on Siberut Island, one of the largest Mentawai Islands. Photo credit: DocBudie, Flickr
In the west of the Malay Archipelago is the sixth largest island in the world - Sumatra. As part of the islands, it is part of the Greater Sunda Islands. The area of Sumatra is 473,000 sq. km. The population is over 50,370,000 people. The capital of Sumatra is.
Geographical position and relief of Sumatra
The island of Sumatra, the photo of which can be seen below, on the world map is located simultaneously in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, and the equator divides it into almost two equal parts. The length of the island is approximately 1.8 thousand square meters. km, and the width is 435 km. Sumatra is separated from neighboring Malacca by the Malacca Strait, and from Sunda.
The southwestern coast of Sumatra is mountainous, here are the Batak and Aceh plateaus. The fault zone separates mountain range Barisan into two chains, composed of Paleozoic rocks: limestone, quartzite, crystalline schists. The east of the island is a swampy plain.
There are 12 active ones on the island of Sumatra, as well as many extinct ones. highest point Sumatra is an active volcano Indrapura or, whose height is more than 3800 m above sea level. Other large volcanoes are 2891 m high and Dempo - 3159 m.
The island of Sumatra is characterized by high seismicity. Earthquakes with an amplitude of up to 7-8 points are possible here. So, in 1883, an erupting one, located near Sumatra, lowered a whole neighboring one under water. And the infamous 2004 Sumatra tsunami, triggered by an undersea earthquake, caused massive damage to its southern and western coasts.
In the area where the island of Sumatra is located, an equatorial climate prevails, characterized by high temperatures and humidity. average temperature here + 25-27ºС. In winter, winds blow from the northeast, and in summer - from the southwest. In the east of the island, rainfall is up to 1000 mm per year. In western Sumatra, they can fall up to 4000 mm, and in the mountains - up to 6000 mm. Moreover, from May to September there is almost no rain, and the main precipitation occurs in the autumn-winter period.
Cities of Sumatra
Tourists traveling around the island usually visit the following places:
Attractions of Sumatra
Many tourists aspire to get to this exotic island. Life here is in many ways different from European. From what to see in Sumatra, it is important to name:
The island has a lot for every taste and budget:
- JW Marriott Hotel Medan– 5-star hotel in the center of the metropolis on Sumatra Medan with modern, well-equipped rooms, a swimming pool and a gym;
- Santika Premiere Dyandra Hotels & Convention-Medan– a stylish 4-star hotel with a conference center, a spa;
- Aston Jambi Hotel & Conference Center- a 4-star hotel located in the city of Jambi, provides its guests with a full range of services;
- Horison Siantar Hotel- An excellent 3-star hotel with non-smoking rooms will provide its guests with a comfortable stay.
Sumatra Restaurants
In order to taste national ones, you can visit one of the restaurants in Sumatra:
- Restaurant Garuda- this is a whole network of authentic restaurants that are located throughout Sumatra, and especially in its northern part, in establishments you will be treated to meat, fish, and vegetable dishes;
- Jenny's Restaurant- a restaurant located on the island of Samosir, the traditional dish in it is fried to a crispy fish caught in Lake Toba;
- Tip Top Restaurant- one of the oldest restaurants in Sumatra, but this does not make it less popular, but rather the opposite. Here you will be treated to fried rice, delicious cakes and even homemade ice cream, this restaurant is located in Medan on Ahmad Yani Street.
shopping
If you, having arrived in Sumatra, dream of doing business here, pay attention to the shopping centers available in each city:
- Sun Plaza - in this shopping and entertainment center, located in Medan on Jl. Ainul Arifin & Diponegoro / Polonia, you can choose from brands such as Franco, Mango, Zara;
- modern shopping mall in the city of Palembang is located at Jln. PON IX, 30137, where you can buy fashionable shoes, clothes, souvenirs, Jewelry;
- Batik Tanah Liek Citra Monalisa in Padang - here you can buy fabrics made using the batik technique, as well as finished goods of them.
How to get to Sumatra island?
When traveling to Sumatra, keep in mind that the easiest way to get to the island is by plane. In Medan, there is the main Sumatra - Kuala Namu, which receives flights from many cities in Indonesia, as well as from other countries, such as China and Thailand. From the airport to the center of Medan, you can take a train, regular bus or taxi.
To travel by car from to Sumatra, you can use the ferry. However, such a road will take you a very long time and may be unsafe.
The capital of Sumatra is the city of Medan. 1.5 million people live here. This place is the largest industrial center and is famous for its amazing cultural heritage.
Sumatra belongs to the Zod archipelago and is the fifth largest among all the islands in the world. It is located near the Malay Peninsula, from which it is separated by a strait.
The island got its name from the word "sumatai", which translates as "located behind the water." The island of Sumatra is washed on all sides by numerous bays, the Indian and Pacific oceans.
History of Sumatra
Archaeologists have been conducting excavations for several years, the results of which indicate that the first people will send here around the 2nd century BC. It was also found out that representatives of three different cultures lived on the island for a long time.
From the 2nd century AD, the first states began to appear in Sumatra. The most famous is the state of Srivijaya, the modern capital of which is located in Palembang. Srivijayas regularly waged wars, the result of which was the annexation of Java and the Malay Peninsula.
After the 10th century, the island of Sumatra began to be mentioned in documents as the "Isle of Gold". The thing is, at that time the first gold mines appeared here.
After a few centuries, the kingdom fell into decay. Civil strife among influential statesmen was to blame. Srivijaya broke up into several principalities, among which only Pasai could grow strongly, economically.
At the end of the 13th century, the famous Marco Polo visited Sumaru. The beauty and singularity of the island made an indelible impression on him. After some time, Dutch missionaries and merchants arrived in Sumatra, who founded numerous villages on the coast.
First World War bypassed Sumatra, since the Dutch state was on the neutral side, but during the Second World War, the island did not escape the occupation by the Japanese. After the liberation, Sumatra proclaimed the independence of Indonesia, of which it is a part.
Weather in Sumatra
The location of the island relative to the equator plays an important role in shaping the climate. The climate here is equatorial, it is moderately hot and humid.
There are no significant temperature fluctuations here. It fluctuates from +25 to +27 degrees.
All precipitation falls in the form of short showers.
Island population
The island currently has a population of 50.6 million, placing Sumatra as the 4th most densely populated place in the world. In national terms, there are most of all Indonesians, who are divided into small nationalities. In addition, many Chinese, Thais, Indians and Vietnamese live on the island. Indonesian or Malay is recognized as the official language throughout Sumatra.
The local population leads an active lifestyle and is engaged in agriculture, as well as various types of industry: textile, processing.
Among the major cities, Medan stands out with over 2 million people.
Flora and fauna
More than 30% of the entire territory of the island is occupied by tropical forests. Palm trees, ficuses, bamboo, creepers grow here. Rising higher, evergreens and laurel trees appear in the forests. You can also find maples, oaks and chestnuts. Alang-alang, endemic to Sumatra, grows on flat surfaces.
The fauna of the island is as diverse as the flora. There are more than 190 different species of mammals here. There are also a lot of reptiles (250), tropical fish (270) and more than 450 species of birds on the island. Among such a rich animal world, there are endemic forms that live only on the island of Sumatra.
Tourism and rest
The authorities of Sumatra began to engage in tourism relatively recently. The climate and other natural conditions of the island are ideal for creating a variety of tourist sites.
Almost the entire coast is covered with sand, which is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Due to volcanic activity, it has acquired a pleasant brownish tint.
There are many places on the island where there are coral reefs. This creates ideal conditions for diving and snorkelling. On the beaches, hidden from strong winds, there have recently been many windsurfers.
For connoisseurs of natural beauty, a huge number of eco-tours have been created, leading to the very depths of the equatorial forests.
Well, how can you do without sights. There are a lot of ancient monuments on the island of Sumatra. Let's take a short tour of the most interesting of them.
Lake Toba
This is the largest lake in Indonesia. It was formed over 70 thousand years ago and is of volcanic origin. Its coast has an unusual appearance, as it is almost completely overgrown with coniferous trees.
Tourists are always offered to take a boat ride on the lake, and no one ever refuses. The water here is crystal clear and transparent. If you look closely, you can see fish swimming somewhere at a depth.
Loesser National Park
Loesser got its name from the mountain of the same name, located on its territory. The park itself stretches for 150 kilometers across two regions of Indonesia. Since its inception, this place has attracted travelers and scientists from all over the world. This is due to the fact that the entire territory of the park is divided into several ecosystems.
Because of its uniqueness, Loesser Park was included in the World Heritage Site. Numerous tourists come here not only because of the beauty of the equatorial, humid forests, but also to see the Sumatran orangutan population. In addition, rhinos, elephants, tigers and a Bengal cat live here.
Bukit Lawang Village
This small village is located in Loessem Park. Bukit Lawang is the best place for active tourism activities. Almost every day you can see tourists from different countries here. On holidays, locals come here to take a break from the city.
Several hotels have been built near the full-flowing river. Most of the rooms have free access to the river, and the windows offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
Great Mosque in Medan
The Great Mosque is located in the city of Medan. It is considered the main attraction of the island, as well as famous monument antiquity. The shrine was founded during the period of Dutch colonization. To this day, it is maintained in its original form.
In another way, the mosque is called Masjid Rayna. It was erected in 1907 by a Dutch architect in the Muslim style.
This place is still considered the main religious building in the city. The inhabitants of the province attach special importance to this place and consider it a symbol of religious culture. After the devastating tsunami in 2004, they began to revere her even more, because she managed to survive.
The village of Tomok Bolon
In the numerous villages of the island, you can get acquainted with the traditions and customs of the Toba Tabak tribe. The most colorful is the village of Tomok Bolon. It consists of huge wooden houses with thatched roofs. All dwellings are set on small elevations, which help to avoid flooding. Opposite each of them is a barn with grain. Its dimensions are so huge that the barn is often used as a bedroom.
The public house is considered the most beautiful place in the village. It is decorated with an unusual, beautiful ornament that combines red, black and white. Buffalo horns are an invariable attribute of this place.
The houses of local residents were traditionally divided into three zones: a corral for livestock, a large living room and a sanctuary where family heirlooms were kept.
Over time, the connection with the past is gradually lost. With the advent of modern infrastructure, the appearance of the village is changing. And no one can say for sure that after another natural disaster, the houses will be restored unchanged.
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
This national reserve was created to protect and increase the population of orangutans. It was founded in 1973. This is one of the few places in the world where you can still see wild orangutans. In total, there are more than 5,000 individuals in the reserve.
The main task rehabilitation center is the training of animals for life in wild nature. For many years, orangutans were pets in Indonesia, but by the end of the 20th century, their population had drastically decreased. And today, the staff of the reserve are striving to increase the number of orangutans and adapt them to an independent life in nature.
There are excursions to the tropics where you can not only see these amazing animals, but also admire the surrounding beauty.
Sultan's Palace
The Sultan's Palace or Istana Maimun is located in Medan. The palace was built during colonization and today is a prominent representative of that era. Thanks to frequent restorations, the architects managed to keep it almost in its original form.
There is a souvenir shop near Istan Maimun, which presents a huge selection of jewelry made by Indonesian masters. All of it is created taking into account the traditions and customs of the Indonesians and is considered a wonderful reminder of the flavor of the country.
Sipiso Piso Falls on Lake Toba
Sipiso Piso is located on Lake Toba. This huge waterfall (120 m.) is a picturesque sight that can surprise any tourist. Sipiso Piso is unique in that its waters are taken from an underground river that flows right under the plateau.
There is a legend that the waterfall was formed during the battle of the underground dragon with the spirits of the lake. You can admire the beauty of falling water from several equipped viewing platforms.
Sarcophagus of King Sidabutar
The tomb is located near the village of Tomoka, right behind the market. Here lies the Batak king himself and his relatives. This place is over 200 years old.
The tomb has an unusual decoration and is decorated with beautiful expensive ornaments. Numerous tourists constantly come here to touch the antiquity and feel the special atmosphere of this place.
Not far from the tomb of Sidabutar are the Batak houses, where a puppet festival takes place every year. This holiday is very popular among the local population and tourists.
Aceh Museum
This is one of the oldest museums in Indonesia. Here is a large collection of antique items found in the Aceh region. Most of it is the private property of the scientist Friedrich Stameshaus. Until 1933, he served as curator of the museum, and after his retirement, he sold half of the collection to the Amsterdam Institute.
After the declaration of independence, the museum became the property of the state. Restoration of some premises was carried out and a new additional building was built, where conferences and exhibitions are held today.
Polonia airport
This is the very first airport on the island with international traffic. It got its name from the name of the area where the Polish baron lived. At the end of the 19th century, this man received permission to establish a tobacco plantation in Medan.
In 1924, the first plane landed here. At the helm sat a test pilot who had flown from Holland. It was at this moment that the first runway appeared in Polonii. After that, the city authorities allocated money to complete the construction of the airport.
The official opening took place in 1928.
