Geography of Sumatra
Sumatra is the third largest island of Indonesia, after Papua and Kalimantan (part of Borneo) and the fifth largest island in the world. Sumatra (or “Sumatera” as it is spelled in Indonesia) stretches for about 1,790 km (1,100 miles) from northwest to southeast between the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea. At it’s wides point, Sumatra spans about 435 km (270 miles). The equator crosses Sumatra near the center of the island, near the city of Bukittinggi.
Sumatra quick facts
- Capital: Medan
- Eight provinces: Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau, South Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung
- Languages: Bahasa Indonesia and about 15 other languages
- Religion: Islam (including matrilineair at the Minangkabau region), Christianity, animism
- Major cities: Medan, Palembang, Padang, Banda Aceh, Bandar Lampung, Pekanbaru
- Currency: Indonesian rupiah
- Mountain ranges: Barisan mountains, Pusat Gayo, Serbeulangit, Tigapuluh
- Biggest lake: Lake Toba, 1.140 km2, in a volcanic crater of about 3000 km2. Altitude: 1000 m
Geographical regions of Sumatra
The interior of Sumatra is dominated by two geographical regions: the Barisan Mountains (Bukit Barisan) in the west of Sumatra and swampy plains in the east. In the Barisan mountain range there are still some active volcanoes, Mount Kerinci being the largest at 3,805 m (12,467 ft). Because of the volcanic activity, this region is very fertile (especially around Berastagi in North Sumatra province) and has some very beautiful scenery, for instance around Lake Toba which is the largest lake in South East Asia. Sumatra also contains deposits of coal and gold and some other minerals. Sumatra is blessed with rich natural diversity and is inhabited by a large number of local "tribes", like the Batak, Mentawai and the Minangkabau.
Economic importance of Sumatra
The lowlands of Sumatra at the east are of great economic importance for Indonesia. Oil is found and there are vast plantations that produce palm oil and rubber. Sumatra is also the largest producer of Indonesian coffee.
Crops that are grown in Sumatra include rice, corn, tea, coffee and cocoa. Other crops include all kinds of spices, tobacco, rubber and palm oil. Besides oil, there's also coal, tin, bauxite, copper and gold. Industry includes aluminium, tires, fertilizer, ceramics and tourism.
Most of Sumatra used to be covered by tropical rainforest, but economic development coupled with corruption and illegal logging has severely threatened its existence. Conservation area’s have not been spared from destruction, either.
Sumatra in numbers
| Surface area | 475.000 km2 |
| Length | 1790 km |
| Width | between 80 and 435 km |
| Population | 45 million (10 most important ethnic groups, including Bataks, Minangkabau, Nias, Mentawai, Chinese and Malay) |
| Population density | 80 inhabitants / km2 |
| Highest peak | Kerinci, 3805 m / other mountain peaks: Leuser (3466 m), Dempo (3159 m), Lembu (3014 m), Bandahara (3012 m), Masurai (2933 m) |
Climate of Sumatra
The Sumatran climate is tropical, but due to its many highlands, temperatures can be lower than one expects. Temperatures in Sumara are approximately between 22-30 degrees Celsius. The rainfall differs from area to area, but averages 1.000-4.000mm per year. The relative humidity is 70-90% in the lowlands of Sumatra. The year can be divided in two major seasons, dry season from February to August and wet season from September to January. However, the difference between seasons is not as big as in other parts of Indonesia. The change of season is also normally extra wet. The dry season is of course the best time for mountain climbing, to visit nature parks and for the visibility of animals, etc.