West Sumatra
West Sumatra | Rumah Gadang in the Pandai Sikek village of West Sumatra |
|
|
Motto: Tuah Sakato
(Minangkabau, "United Prosperity") |
| Map showing West Sumatra within Indonesia |
|
| Capital | Padang |
Government
- Governor
- Vice governor |
Gamawan Fauzi
Marlis Rahman |
Area
- % Maritime | 42,297.30 km²
2.59% |
Population
- Total (2000)
- Density |
4,248,931
99/km² |
| Ethnic groups | Minangkabau (88%), Mentawai (1.5%) |
| Language | Minangkabau, Indonesian, Mentawai |
| Religion | Islam (98%), Christian (1.6%), Hindu (0.0032%), Buddhism (0.26%) |
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+7) |
Coordinates
- Latitude
- Longitude |
0°54'N to 3°30'S
98°36'E to 101°53'E |
Elevation
- Highest point
- Lowest point |
2,912 m (Mount Talakmau)
0 m |
| Web site | www.sumbarprov.go.id |
|
West Sumatra (
Indonesian:
Sumatra Barat, abbreviated to
Sumbar) is a
province of
Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island
Sumatra, and borders the provinces of
North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) to the north,
Riau and
Jambi to the east, and
Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the
Mentawai Islands off the coast. The capital of the province is
Padang.
West Sumatra lies in the middle of the western coast of
Sumatra, and has an area of 42,297.30 km². Geographic features include plains, mountainous volcanic highlands formed by the
Barisan mountain range that runs from north-west to south-east, and an offshore island archipelago called the
Mentawai Islands. The West Sumatran coastline faces the
Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from
North Sumatra province in the north-west to
Bengkulu in the south-east. The lakes of West Sumatra include:
Maninjau (99.5 km²),
Singkarak (130.1 km²),
Diatas (31.5 km²),
Dibawah (14.0 km²),
Talang (5.0 km²). The rivers of West Sumatra include:
Kuranji,
Anai,
Ombilin,
Suliki,
Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra include:
Marapi (2,891 m),
Sago (2,271 m),
Singgalang (2,877 m),
Talakmau (2,912 m),
Talang (2,572 m),
Tandikat (2,438 m).
The province includes large areas of dense tropical forest, which is home to a host of species including:
Rafflesia arnoldii (world's largest flower),
Sumatran Tiger,
Siamang,
Malayan tapir,
Sumatran Serow,
Rusa Deer,
Malayan Sun Bear,
Clouded Leopard, and many birds and butterflies.
The province includes two National Parks:
Siberut National Park and
Kerinci Seblat National Park, as well as a number of nature reserves:
Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve,
Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve,
Lembah Anai Nature Reserve,
Lembah Harau Nature Reserve,
Bung Hatta Grand Forest Park,
Beringin Sakti Nature Reserve.
The province is served by the newly-opened
Minangkabau International Airport, 23 km north-west of
Padang in
Ketaping,
Padang Pariaman regency.
Significant roads include the
Trans-Sumatran Highway which runs through the province and heads north-west towards
Medan and south-east towards
Jakarta, the road between
Padang and
Bukittinggi, and the road between
Bukittinggi and
Pekanbaru. The provincial government plans to upgrade the later two roads over the next few years to improve traffic flows [
1].
Regular bus services run between
Padang and
Bukittinggi, and other major cities of
Sumatra. Other public transport options within the province include
oplet,
taxi and horse cart (
bendi).
The
Teluk Bayur port in
Padang is the largest and busiest on the western coast of
Sumatra. It is used for exporting goods from West Sumatra as well as from some areas of the neighboring provinces.
West Sumatera consists of the following cities :
*
Bukittinggi*
Padang*
Padang Panjang*
Pariaman*
Payakumbuh*
Sawahlunto*
SolokWhile the regencies are:
*
Agam*
Dharmasraya*
Mentawai Islands (Kepulauan Mentawai)
*
Limapuluh Koto *
Padang Pariaman*
Pasaman*
Pasaman Barat*
Pesisir Selatan*
Sawahlunto Sijunjung*
Solok*
Solok Selatan*
Tanah DatarThe
Minangkabau people of
Sumatra,
Indonesia inhabit the area of West Sumatra province. They are predominantly
Muslim, and they have a reputation throughout Indonesia as traders.They are generally polite and welcome tourists and other travellers.
The prime tourist attractions of West Sumatra are the natural environment, and the culture and history of the
Minangkabau and
Mentawai people.
Natural attractions of the mainland include the tropical forests, mountains, volcanos, lakes, valleys, rivers & waterfalls in the highlands, the fauna and flora, and the beaches around
Padang. Many areas are protected as part of National Parks and Reserves.
The city of
Bukittinggi is a popular central location in the highlands from which to explore the culture and history of the
Minangkabau people, including architecture, crafts, dances, music and food. There are a number of museums and cultural centers.
The
Mentawai Islands are a popular destination for surfers and those looking to experience the culture and more primitive lifestyle of the Mentawai people.
*
*
Minangkabau ethnic group
*
Mentawai ethnic group
*
Official website*
Official tourism website*
Photos of West Sumatra
