Sumatra island. Length, coordinates, where it is on the map, shape, rest

During the holidays, everyone seeks a change of scenery. And where to do it, if not in Southeast Asia? Of course, the first thing tourists flock to is India, Thailand, the islands of Bali and Java. But there are no less interesting places in those parts. This article will focus on Sumatra - one of the largest islands on Earth.

Location and climate of Sumatra

It ranks sixth in size among the largest islands in the world.. It is located in the Indian Ocean and belongs to the group of Indonesian islands. To the south lies the island of Java, which is separated from Sumatra by the narrow Sunda Strait. To the east is the huge island of Kalimantan, and in the north through the Gulf of Malacca begins the elongated peninsula of the same name. Malaysia and Singapore huddle on it.

Sumatra has a very interesting location relative to the entire globe. It lies in two hemispheres at once - northern and southern, and the equator line divides it almost in half. The climate here is appropriate - in Sumatra it is very hot and humid. And it's hard to forget that the Indonesian islands lie in a seismic zone. Just a few years ago, a terrible tsunami caused serious damage to island nations and claimed many lives.

Since Sumatra is located in the equatorial climate zone, the climate here is not very diverse. From December to March, the island is slightly cooler, northeasterly winds blow. From April to November they change direction to the southwest, it gets hotter. But the heat is easier to endure, due to the reduction of humidity. Most precipitation falls from September to December. The driest months are January and March. The humidity also varies by region. The driest area is located in the eastern part of the island, towards the west coast the humidity increases. And most of the precipitation falls in the mountainous regions.

Attractions of the island of Sumatra

There are not too many cultural and historical attractions in Sumatra, as well as large cities. However, some of them are still worth visiting. The city of Medan is not much different from other cities of the Indonesian islands. However, this is a fairly large settlement with its own flavor and history. Here you will see a combination of dilapidated buildings and beautiful palaces, colonial and Indian architecture.

One of the most beautiful sights of the city is the Masjid Raya Mosque.. This beautiful white building is made in the Moroccan style. It is known for its black domes, graceful galleries with many arches and intricate Islamic designs. In the evening, the mosque looks just magical. Sunset paints the snow-white walls in all sorts of shades - from bright orange to pale lilac. And the black domes stand out against the background of the setting sun. The Masjid Raya Mosque is considered a symbol of the culture and religion of Medan. It was built in the 19th century, but is revered by the locals as a real antiquity.

Another attraction of Medan is Istana Maimun, which means "Sultan's Palace". This building is like a small copy of the city - a huge building, made in a slightly chaotic colorful style. The palace is surrounded by a spacious green lawn, reminiscent of English meadows. However, the rows of palm trees do not let the imagination run wild and bring us back to reality. In the middle of the lawn stands a structure based on the Italian Rococo style. Here you can see the already familiar black domes and air arches with complex ornaments. But the color scheme is completely different than that of the Raya mosque. Cheerful ocher-orange color is found everywhere in the decoration of the palace. Many arches, terraces, gazebos and turrets merge into a single intricate composition. This is Istana Maimun - another symbol of the island of Sumatra, just as colorful, chaotic and exotic.

These are the brightest sights of the city of Medan. Here you can also see the Protestant Church of the Savior Emmanuel, the Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Chinese Temple Vihara Gunung Timur. You can get a closer look at the history and culture of Medan at the Bukit Kubu Museum.

Nature of the island of Sumatra

How poor Sumatra is in cultural and historical sights, so rich is its nature. If you stopped by this island during an excursion, do not waste time on mosques and museums, the analogues of which you will find on any other island.

Head straight to the dormant supervolcano Toba. This is a legendary place that at one time played a role in the fate of the entire planet. Researchers report that the Toba volcano erupted about 70,000 years ago. It was so strong that the ash enveloped the entire planet, weakening the penetration of sunlight and provoking an ice age. At this time, the diversity of flora and fauna dropped sharply, many species simply died out.

Changes have affected every continent. Some scientists believe that until that time the population of the Earth numbered millions of people, after the eruption they remained from 3 to 10 thousand. Now this place is considered the most picturesque on the island. A beautiful lake has formed in the crater of the volcano, where tourists from all over the world flock. On the way to Lake Toba, it is worth stopping at the Sipiso Piso waterfall. The view of the waterfall is truly spectacular. A stream of water rushes through the upper plateau, with a roar overcomes a distance of 120 meters and falls into the bay. You can go down a winding concrete ladder to the foot of the waterfall. But it is worth considering that the return rise under the scorching sun is not an easy task. In the middle of Lake Toba rises the island of Samosir. An island within an island is an amazing phenomenon in itself. But even more interesting is the local population. Bataks live at their unhurried pace. It seems like nothing has changed here for centuries. Adults work in the fields and gardens, feed livestock, mend nets and smoke fish right under the scorching sun. Dark-skinned children run wherever they please. For tourists, whole performances with traditional songs and dances are held here. Photographers like Samosir the most. Here you can take unique shots, soaked in the sun and local color.

In the northern part of Sumatra there is a huge park Gunung Luser. It is the largest national park in all of Southeast Asia. Thousands of various birds and monkeys live in thickets of tropical forests - macaques, gibbons, orangutans and many others. If you are lucky, you can see leopards, Sumatran tigers, rhinos or elephants. Fans of extreme types of recreation can make a ten-day ascent to Mount Lucer or Loser or kayaking along the Whampoo River.

If you like everything unusual, visit the Querinsi-Seblat park. In the middle of the dense jungle is the formidable volcano Kerisi. To climb to its muzzle, you will have to spend at least two days. But the conductor can be found right among the local population. Also, for a small fee, you can be taken to places where exotic plants grow. Rafflesia is the largest flower on the planet. And here the tallest flowers grow - Amorphophallus. To admire the size and exotic colors of these flowers is only one thing - their terrible smell, which they spread for meters around.

These places are just a small part of the beauties of the island of Sumatra, which are worth exploring. Here you can relax in silence, and go fishing by the lake, and make a whole trip to the wild and untouched corners of the island.

Indonesia - a large state in Southwest Asia - is not in vain called the Land of a Thousand Islands. It is spread over parts of New Guinea, the Moluccas and Sunda Islands, the largest of which are Borneo, Sulawesi, Java, Sumatra, the islands of Timor, Flores, Sumbawa, Bali and others. The three islands of the Republic of Indonesia are among the six largest on the planet.

tropical paradise

The islands of Indonesia are a motley carpet of a mixture of peoples, cultures, diverse landscapes, natural and climatic zones. One of the most amazing is Sumatra, which many call a continent in miniature. There are tropics and savannahs, lowland swamps and high mountains. The island is inhabited by rhinos and elephants, tigers and leopards, bears and buffaloes - a large fauna that is not typical of the islands.

Geographical position

Sumatra is one of the largest archipelago. It stretches from northwest to southeast for 1800 km. The area of ​​the island is 421,000 km2. It is formed by a system of mountain ranges extended far to the west. Their highest points are located at a distance of 30-50 km from the Indian Ocean. They don't have names. The southern sections are known as the Barisan range, in the northern part of the island rises the Batak plateau.

Smaller land areas are located around the "parent" island. From the side of the Indian Ocean, mountainous sparsely populated territories lined up parallel to Sumatra: Mentawai, Nias, Engano. Along the eastern shore are Sinkep, Banka, Belitung. Notorious became Simalur (Simelue) - an Indonesian island to the west of the island of Sumatra. In 2004, a giant tsunami hit its coast.

Very close, to the northeast, is the Malay Peninsula - part of the Asian continent. It is separated from Sumatra by the Strait of Malacca. The most important shipping routes pass here: rich cargo attracts real pirates of the 21st century who rob ships. To the east, 420 km, is the "big brother" - Between the "relatives" lies the Karimata Strait. The most populous Indonesian island, Java, is separated from Sumatra by the 25 km wide Sunda Strait.

The question "where is Sumatra" can be answered simply: between Australia and Asia. And more precisely - in the extreme west of the Malay Archipelago, in the triangle between Java, Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula.

Geology

The mountains of Sumatra were formed partly in the Hercynian, partly in the Mesozoic and later Paleogene folding, they also have young longitudinal faults. They are composed of quartzites, crystalline schists, Paleozoic limestones, there are outcrops of granite intrusions. The average height of the mountains is from 1500 to 3000 m.

The Barisan Ridge is divided by a longitudinal zone of faults and grabens into two parallel chains. The island is crowned with numerous cones of active and extinct volcanoes, among which the highest volcano in Sumatra - Kerinchi (Indrapura), 3800 m high, is clearly distinguished. It is followed by Dempo (3159 m) and Marapi (2891 m). Only twelve active giants.

Between Sumatra and neighboring Java, the stratovolcano Krakatoa (813 m) lurks. Its eruptions are rare, but catastrophic. The last activity here was observed in 1999. In 1927-1929. As a result of an underwater explosion, the island of Anak-Krakatau was formed. And the eruption of 1883 actually destroyed the once high island - the blast wave was felt on all continents, circling the Earth three times.

Relief

In contrast to the southwestern mountain range, in the east of Sumatra lies a large swampy alluvial lowland. A feature of the area is that its coastal part is flooded by sea tides. Here are fertile conditions for extensive mangrove forests. Sumatra, the islands of Banka and Belitung are rich in various types of minerals: oil, coal, gold, manganese, iron, nickel, tin.

Climate

The Malay Archipelago on the map is located between Asia and Australia. The climate here is humid. The amount of precipitation in Sumatra in some places exceeds 3500-3800 mm (up to 6000 mm), but they fall unevenly. A large amount of rain is due to a mountain barrier that stretches along the entire island. The maximum moisture falls in October-November to the north of the equator, and in December-January - to the south of it. In the north, the season with less rainfall is more pronounced than in the south. The temperature is comfortable - 25-27 degrees almost throughout the year, but the incredibly high humidity spoils the idyllic picture.

Strong easterly winds often blow in the east of the island and in. They reach their greatest strength during the action of the southwest monsoon. Mostly this hurricane wind, accompanied by a thunderstorm, is observed at night - apparently, this is facilitated by the Sumatra mountain range, which runs parallel to the Strait of Malacca.

water areas

The islands of Indonesia, due to heavy rainfall, have excess moisture. Due to this, numerous rivers flow in most regions. Sumatra is no exception: the river network is quite dense, water flows do not dry up during the year, washing away a lot of sedimentary material from the mountains. The largest rivers of the island are Muse, Khari, Kampar, Rokan, Inderagiri.

There are many lakes on the island. In the center of the Batak tuff plateau in a volcanic depression lies the largest lake in Indonesia - Toba, with the island of Samosir in the middle. At one time, there was a separate Batak principality here, whose descendants, according to legend, settled throughout Sumatra. The lake is located at an altitude of 904 m above sea level. The area is more than 1000 km 2, and the maximum depth is 433 meters. It's cold here, especially at night. A 320,000 kW hydroelectric power station was built on the Asahan River, which flows out of the reservoir.

ground cover

The most common soil types are podzolized laterites that have formed on weathered crust. On the foothills and in the mountains, soils are represented by a variant of mountain lateritic soils. In the east, alluvial and marsh soils stretch in a wide strip, and mangrove soils in a narrow coastal strip.

Vegetation

The geographical position of Sumatra near the equator contributes to the growth of dense tropical forests, they occupy large areas. Unfortunately, in the river valleys, on the plains and in the mountain basins, large areas of forests have been cut down, and a variety of agricultural crops are grown in the developed territories. Rubber trees, rice, coconut palm, tobacco, tea, cotton, pepper are widely cultivated on the island.

The northeastern lowland coast is dominated by mangroves. In intermountain low areas, small areas are occupied by savannahs. At altitudes of 1.5-3 km, forests are common with a predominance of evergreen trees (laurel, oak), there are also coniferous, broad-leaved deciduous (chestnut, maple) trees. Above 3000 m, the forests give way to stunted thickets with falling leaves, shrubs and grasses.

Fauna

The island fauna is mainly represented by forest species. The jungles of Sumatra have become the Mecca of ecotourists who want to get acquainted with the life of one of the most interesting species of monkeys - orangutans.

Also typical mammals are primates (fat loris, siamang, pig-tailed macaques, brownie macaques), woolly wings, lizards, squirrels, badgers, bats. Among the large inhabitants, the two-horned rhinoceros, the Indian elephant, the black-backed tapir, the leopard, the striped pig, the island Weaver, and wild dogs stand out.

Of the birds, the most interesting are gomrai, argus, hornbeak, and several species of pigeons. Of the reptiles on the island, flying dragons, gharials (crocodiles), snakes are found. Of the amphibians, the legless worm stands out. A lot of different insects, arachnids.

Dormant supervolcano

On the map, it is not much different from neighboring lands, but it was here that an epoch-making cataclysm occurred 73,000 years ago that changed the history of the Earth. The explosion of a supervolcano gave rise to the emergence of the so-called volcanic winter, reminiscent of a nuclear one. In addition to 3000 km 3 of ash, a huge amount of anhydride fell into the atmosphere, which provoked widespread acid rain.

For six years, unnaturally low temperatures reigned on the planet, acid rains destroyed vegetation. The next millennium is characterized by cooling and the onset of glaciers. As a result, only the most intelligent survived from a large population of people - about 10,000 representatives of the Homo sapiens species in the heart of Africa. In fact, a natural disaster contributed to the "explosive" development of intelligence in our distant ancestors.

Lake Toba

Sumatra is an island with amazing nature. The most striking geological and cultural attraction is the largest lake of volcanic origin on the planet, Toba, which filled the giant crater of that very supervolcano. Its dimensions (length - 100 km, width - 30 km, depth - 505 m) allowed the reservoir to become the largest in Indonesia and the second (after Tonle Sap Lake) in Southeast Asia.

The picturesque island of Samosir is located on Lake Toba. It is famous for its incredible landscapes, nature, authentic culture. Not only Muslims live here, but also a people called Batak. They are Christians, they have very peculiar folk traditions, art, and especially architecture. Samosir is quite small, the length of its coastline is 111 km. But in this small area, developed tourist centers, and the “untouched” natural landscape, and the daily life of Sumatran peasants organically fit in.

Although the water in Toba is fresh, its transparency, azure, surrounding landscapes and microclimate are reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast. This association is broken only by the absence of large waves, which is a great advantage for many tourists.

Population

More than 300 peoples live in Indonesia, while linguists count 719 living languages ​​and dialects. About 90% of citizens, including those in Sumatra, are Muslims. Most of the islanders know the Indonesian language, which is only 50 years old. It unites different peoples and nationalities in the country, it is studied in schools, it dominates on television and in the press.

The western region (Banka, Sumatra, the Mentawai Islands, the Linga Archipelago and others) is home to more than 50 million people who speak 52 languages. In the north and east of Sumatra and on numerous islands, Malays dominate, in the south - Javanese. The Chinese and Tamils ​​are concentrated in urban centers.

Less than a third of the population lives in cities. Major metropolitan areas:

• Medan - 2.1 million people (2010).
• Palembang - 1.5 million (2010).
• Batam (Riau Islands) - 1.15 million (2012).
• Pekanbaru - 1.1 (2014).

In the central highlands and around Lake Toba, an amazing people live - the Bataks. First of all, their fantastic architecture surprises: three-story houses resemble Noah's Ark. The indigenous people explain that the first floor is for animals: earlier there were many wild animals in the forests, so the house was built “on legs” (on stilts) for safety. Families live on the second floor, and spirits live in the attic. Although the Bataks are Christians, they believe in spirits very much, so attics can even exceed the first two floors combined in size. In everyday life, the Bataks (there are about 6 million of them on the island) speak their own language, but most speak the national Indonesian. Many understand English.

Formed , which is considered the largest: there are more than 10 thousand islands with a population of about 335 million people. This archipelago includes such large islands as the Philippines, Lesser and Greater Sunda, Moluccas (large islands), and smaller ones.

Greater Sunda Islands

As already mentioned, the islands are located on the territory of the Malay Archipelago, but where they got their name from and why they were so named remains a mystery. These geographic features include most of Indonesia, and among them there are four largest:

Java.

Sumatra.

Kalimantan.

Sulawesi.

Indonesia. Sumatra island

The largest island state of Indonesia is located in the Malay Archipelago, which includes about 17 thousand islands. One of the largest islands in the state and the entire archipelago is Sumatra.

Geographical coordinates of the island of Sumatracan be described as follows: located on both sides of the equator, which divides it into almost two equal parts, the area is 473 thousand km 2 . The length of the island is 1.8 thousand km, and the width is 435 km.

Historical reference

The first mention of the island as a populated area dates back to the 2nd century. Even then, the first states were here, but nothing is known about them. But in the 7th century, the state of Srivijaya appeared.

Further, Majapahit began to own the territory, until the 16th century, and thenbecame a colony of the Netherlands. This state of affairs continued until the middle of the 20th century, until Indonesia gained independence in 1945.

From Sanskrit, the word Samudra is translated as "Ocean" or "Sea".

Terrain and water resources

Sumatra island It has a predominantly mountainous relief, where there are the Aceh and Batak plateaus and the Barisan range. This area is volcanic, there are 12 active volcanoes. So, Kerinchi is the highest point and reaches 3805 meters, other volcanoes, such as Dempo and Marapi, reach a height of more than 1000 meters above sea level.

If you look at what it looks likeSumatra on the world map, then you can see that the southwestern part is mountainous, and the northeastern part is lowland plains.

Despite the fact that Sumatra is an island in the ocean, it is rich in rivers and lakes. Large rivers include Khari, Rokan, Kampar, Musi, and Lake Toba is located in a volcanic basin and is the deepest in Southeast Asia. Its depth is about 450 meters.

Flora

Greater Sunda Islandslocated in the equatorial zone, so there is rich vegetation and wildlife.

About 1/3 of the island's territory is covered with forests, where ficuses, tall palms and bamboos grow, as well as ferns and lianas. Somewhere at an altitude of 1500 meters in the mountains grow oaks and maples, chestnuts and conifers. If you rise to a height of 3000 meters, then shrubs and grasses, more undersized plants, prevail here. Mangroves are very common on the island - these are forests that have chosen the tidal strip of the coast.

However, due to constant deforestation, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bforests is constantly decreasing, and not only the flora, but also the animal world suffers from this. Some species are on the verge of extinction today.

Fauna

Animals of Sumatra- more than 190 species of mammals and reptiles, more than 270 species of fish and more than 400 species of birds.

Separately, it is worth noting representatives of the animal world that live only in this territory (endemic):

The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest member of the family. A distinctive feature of this animal is the presence of 2 horns, one of which is underdeveloped.

The Sumatran porcupine is a small rodent with thin quills. Lives mainly at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level in burrows or rocky cracks.

The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of the tigers and is on the brink of extinction due to human-animal collisions and the expansion of human agricultural activities.

However, not striped predatorsare considered the most feared animals, and banteng bulls, which do not attack people, but are not afraid to attack a tiger. It is the head of this beast that adorns the coat of arms of the Indonesian Republic, as it is associated with courage, courage and courage.

Island capital

There are several large cities in Indonesia: Jakarta (the capital of the state), Surabai, Bandung and Medan (the administrative center of the island).

The last of the mentioned cities is developing very quickly and has a rich history. Back in the 16th century, Guru Patimpus founded a settlement, and the Bataks became its first settlers. Until this territory became a colony of the Netherlands, development was very slow, but after the 1860s, Medan quickly became the administrative center, and already in 1915 officially became the main one in Sumatra.

Today, about 2 million people live in Medan, who profess different religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism (traditional Chinese teaching).In the center of the city is the international airport - Polonia.

From Malaysian and Indonesian, "Medan" is translated as "field", but in translation from the Karo language it means "good" and "healthy". The city has four sister cities, all in Asia: Penang (Malaysia), Ichikawa (Japan), Gwangju (South Korea), and Chengdu (China).

Population

The people of Sumatrais 50 million people (according to estimates for 2010). A lot of nationalities live here, but more than 90% profess Islam.

The whole island is divided into 10 provinces, and the most populated are North and South Sumatra, as well as Riau, Lampung and Aceh.

Most of the population lives in the north. In addition to the capital, Palembang is considered a major city. By the way, mostly city dwellers live on the island. But someone lives in port cities (Padang), someone lives in tourist cities (Bengkulu), and others live in an industrial zone (Pekanbaru).

There are four largest ethnic groups - these are Bataks, Malays, Minangkabau, Aceh, in addition to them, there are Chinese, Indians, Arabs, and they all speak their own language. In total, there are about 52 languages ​​that can be heard on the island.

AlthoughIslamized, women play an important role in public life.

Economy

Indonesia, including Sumatra, uses its natural resources and survives due to this. For example, hydroelectric power stations were built on the Musi and Indragiri rivers, which makes it possible to obtain energy.

The island produces 4/5 of all oil in Indonesia, and there are also minerals such as coal, silver and gold.

Products such as rubber and coffee are also produced in large quantities.Sumatra island on the world mapwell located andallows you to grow tobacco, collect palm oil from growing trees (about 80% of the oil is extracted here) and grow valuable tree species - ebony and camphor.

The original culture influenced such an area of ​​the economy as the manufacture of batik (hand-painted on fabric). Such products are attractive to tourists who buy them as souvenirs.

Agriculture is not very developed, but crops such as rice, corn, tea are still grown here, and fishing is also common.

Attractions

The island is rich in various cathedrals, palaces, churches and museums, as well as national parks. Some of them experienced tourists are advised to visit every guest of the country.

In 2004, the island of Sumatra was very badly damaged by the tsunami, the main blow fell on the northern and western coasts. The Aceh Tsunami Museum was built in tribute to the memory. The four-story building greets visitors with a dark corridor, and then you can see the painted walls, which depict people performing a traditional dance. The exposition of the museum is an imitation of an earthquake and a tsunami, as well as documents and photographs telling about the event.

Simalungan Royal Palace - was built in ancient times, but, despite its venerable age, is in excellent condition, as it undergoes regular and timely restoration. From the outside, the building looks like a large hut that stands on stilts, but inside you can see richly decorated rooms and displays that are of some value.

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in Medan (Sumatra). Its description can begin with the fact that it is made in the Indonesian style, has two domes and does not at all look like a classic Orthodox white church. It was built in 2005 and is the center of the Catholic pilgrimage on the island.

The Baiturrahman Mosque in Banda Aceh is a symbol of religion and culture built in 1881. The structure remained almost intact after the tsunami. The architecture of the museum is in the traditional style, although it was built by the Italians under the influence of the Dutch. But there is also the main mosque, which is called the Great, or Masjid Raya is located in Medan. This is one of the main attractions of the city, which is an important historical monument and is maintained in perfect condition.

The Ampera Bridge in the city of Palembang, built with funds taken from war reparations collected from Japan. Connects two parts of the city. For several years after the opening, the bridge was raised to allow ships to pass, but years later this was stopped, as the rise of the vaults took a long time, which led to large delays.

Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, which is a national reserve, created to preserve the population. It was opened in 1973 and aimed at ensuring that orangutans lived in the wild, but were protected.

The Malay Archipelago is very attractive for tourists. Summer holidays are available to people all year round in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A favorite place is Sumatra, which attracts with its beaches, nature and attractions. They like to relax here with families, companies and alone.

There are several interesting facts that will help to complete the verbal picture of this place:

• One of the directions of excursions are local villages, which tourists advise everyone to visit. For example, Bukit Lawang, which is located near a mountain river in a national reserve, where both guests and locals like to come to relax. Or the picturesque village of Samodina, where the inhabitants observe many traditions.
• In the center of Lake Toba there is an island that covers an area of ​​530 km2, where markets exist where goods are exchanged rather than sold.
• "Sumatra" is translated as "ocean" or "sea", but there is also such a thing as "a heavy wind with a thunderstorm and a downpour."
• In the northern part of the island there is another islet - Nias, where only recently people refused to sacrifice, and now they show tourists only rituals in the form of dances.

The picturesque island of Sumatra is located in the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is known not only for its beautiful nature, which is characterized by a wide variety of flora and fauna, but also for its original culture and architecture, so unlike the world we are used to.

Holidays in exotic countries are becoming increasingly popular with Russian tourists. One of the most promising areas is Southeast Asia and, in particular, the island of Sumatra. After all, it is here that nature has remained practically untouched by man, the beaches are strewn with unusual dark sand, and animals live in the jungle, which you will not find anywhere else on the planet.

Briefly about the island of Sumatra and where it is located

In order to find the island of Sumatra, it is necessary to explore the western hemisphere.

The island of Sumatra is located in the group of the Malay Islands, which in turn are located in the area between Southeast Asia and Australia. It is not difficult to find it - it is enough to know two facts about it. Firstly, its territory is divided into two parts equal in area by the equator. And secondly, the island has an elongated shape and extends from the northwest to the southeast.

Due to the fact that Sumatra is literally located on the equator, here throughout the year the temperature stays at the same mark - about 26 ° C. From the west, the island is washed by the Indian Ocean, and from the east by the Javanese.

Where is the island of Sumatra on the world map

Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world by area. Its length is about 1,800 km and its width is about 440 km. But in terms of population, this is the fourth island on the planet.

Sumatra is part of Indonesia, although in the middle of the last century these lands were a Dutch colony, and earlier the entire island and nearby small islands were the Sultanate of Aceh. By the way, the Sumatrans profess Islam, although Buddhist temples built in the pre-Islamic period have been preserved in the jungle. However, here the issues of religion are not as acute as, for example, in Bali. Despite the fact that the area of ​​\u200b\u200bSumatra is approximately the size of Belgium, its population is not an example more - 50 million people.

How to get to Sumatra

The main transport hub in Sumatra is Medan, a city in the northwest of the island. There is a large seaport and airport here. However, you cannot fly directly from Moscow to Medan, it only accepts local flights from the main Indonesian cities, as well as from Malaysia and Singapore.

Therefore, it is worth planning a route with an intermediate stop at airports in Southeast Asia, for example, in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Denpasar, and then transfer to a flight of local airlines. Within Indonesia, you can also move freely by water transport. Russians do not need to obtain a visa to Indonesia in advance, it is opened upon arrival if they have a return ticket and pay the visa fee.

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 - absolutely gorgeous nature, incredible cultural experience, low prices and lack of many tourists, on the other - constant natural disasters: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, floods and tsunamis.

Among the main treasures are the picturesque Lake Toba, national parks that are home to rare species of orangutans, magnificent crater lakes, original 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, the dishes of which 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; 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, the Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is closed (check for up-to-date information when planning your trip), but 1-2 day hiking tours to the national park are actively offered in the village.

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 why it 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 southern 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 far 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 largest city and 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 several small islands located 100 km off the west coast of 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.