What continent is Sumatra on? Sumatra in Indonesia: interesting places and useful information. The most common animals
Due to the fact that Sumatra is literally located on the equator, the temperature here remains at the same level throughout the year - approximately 26°C. From the west the island is by the Indian Ocean, and from the east by the Java Sea.
Scientists suggest that approximately 73 thousand years ago it was in Sumatra that a powerful volcanic eruption occurred, which changed the climate on the planet and became the beginning of a long ice age.
Sumatra: nationality
Sumatra is part of Indonesia, although in the middle of the last century these lands were a Dutch colony, and previously the entire island and nearby small islands formed the Sultanate of Aceh. By the way, Sumatrans profess Islam, although Buddhist temples built in the pre-Islamic period have been preserved in the jungle. However, here issues of religion are not as acute as, for example, in Bali. Despite the fact that Sumatra is approximately the same size as Belgium, it is no larger – 50 million people.Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. Its length is approximately 1,800 km and its width is approximately 440 km. But in terms of population, it is the fourth island on the planet.
How to get to Sumatra
The main transport hub in Sumatra is Medan, a city in the north-west of the island. There is a large sea port and the airport. However, you cannot fly directly from Moscow to Medan; it only receives local flights from major 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 local airline flight. You can move freely within Indonesia and water transport. Russians do not need to obtain a visa to Indonesia in advance; it is issued upon arrival with a return ticket and payment of the visa fee.
rest in exotic countries is becoming increasingly popular with Russian tourists. One of the most promising destinations is Southeast Asia and, in particular, the island of Sumatra. After all, it is here that nature has remained virtually untouched by man, the beaches are strewn with unusual dark sand, and the jungle is home to animals that cannot be found in other parts of the planet.
Briefly about the island of Sumatra and where it is located
In order to find the island of Sumatra, you need to explore the western hemisphere.
The island of Sumatra is located in the group of Malay Islands, which in turn are located in the area between Southeast Asia and Australia. Finding it is not difficult - just know two facts about it. Firstly, its territory is divided into two equal parts by the equator. And secondly, the island has an elongated shape and extends from northwest to southeast.
Due to the fact that Sumatra is literally located on the equator, the temperature here remains at the same level throughout the year - approximately 26 o C. The island is washed by the Indian Ocean from the west, and the Javanese from the east.
Where is the island of Sumatra on the world map
Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. Its length is approximately 1,800 km and its width is approximately 440 km. But in terms of population, it 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 previously the entire island and nearby small islands formed the Sultanate of Aceh. By the way, Sumatrans profess Islam, although Buddhist temples built in the pre-Islamic period have been preserved in the jungle. However, here issues of religion are not as acute as, for example, in Bali. Despite the fact that the area of Sumatra is approximately equal to the area of Belgium, its population is much larger - 50 million people.
How to get to Sumatra
The main transport hub in Sumatra is Medan, a city in the north-west of the island. There is a large seaport and airport here. However, you cannot fly directly from Moscow to Medan; it only receives local flights from major 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 local airline flight. Within Indonesia you can move freely by water transport. Russians do not need to obtain a visa to Indonesia in advance; it is issued upon arrival with a return ticket and payment of the visa fee.
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.
The island of Sumatra belongs to the Zod archipelago and is the fifth largest of 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 “beyond the water”. The island of Sumatra is washed on all sides by numerous bays, the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
History of Sumatra
Archaeological scientists have been conducting excavations for several years now, the results of which indicate that the first people came here around the 2nd century BC. It was also found out that for a long time representatives of three different cultures lived on the island.
From the 2nd century AD, the first states began to appear in Sumatra. The most famous is the state of Srivijaya, whose modern capital is located in Palembang. Srivijaya regularly waged wars, which resulted in the annexation of Java and the Malacca Peninsula.
After the 10th century, the island of Sumatra began to be mentioned in documents as the “Island of Gold”. The thing is, at that time the first gold mines appeared here.
After several centuries, the kingdom fell into decline. This was all due to civil strife among influential government officials. Srivijaya split into several principalities, among which only Pasai was able to grow significantly economically.
At the end of the 13th century, Sumaru was visited by the famous Marco Polo. The beauty and unusualness of the island made an indelible impression on him. After some time, Dutch missionaries and traders arrived in Sumatra and founded numerous villages on the coast.
The 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 occupation by the Japanese. After liberation, Sumatra declared the independence of Indonesia, of which it is a part.
Weather in Sumatra
The location of the island relative to the equator plays a big role in shaping the climate. The climate here is equatorial, moderately hot and humid.
There are no significant temperature changes here. It ranges from +25 to +27 degrees.
All precipitation falls in the form of short-term showers.
Island population
The island's current population is 50.6 million, making Sumatra the 4th most populous place in the world. Nationally, there are most Indonesians here, who are divided into small nationalities. In addition, many Chinese, Thais, Indians and Vietnamese live on the island. State language Indonesian or Malay is the recognized language throughout Sumatra.
The local population leads an active lifestyle and is engaged in agriculture, as well as various types of industry: textiles, processing.
Among major cities Medan stands out, home to more than 2 million people.
Flora and fauna
More than 30% of the entire island territory is occupied by tropical forests. Palm trees, ficus, bamboo, and vines grow here. Rising higher, evergreens and laurel trees appear in the forests. You can also find maples, oaks and chestnuts. Alang-alang, an endemic species of Sumatra, grows on flat surfaces.
The fauna of the island is as diverse as the flora. There are more than 190 mammals here different types. 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 fauna, 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. Climate and others natural conditions The islands are ideal for creating a variety of tourist facilities.
Almost the entire coast is covered with sand, which is washed by waters Indian Ocean. Due to volcanic activity, it acquired a pleasant brownish tint.
There are many places on the island where there are Coral reefs. This creates ideal conditions for diving and snorkeling. Lately, many windsurfers have been found on beaches hidden from strong winds.
For connoisseurs natural beauty A huge number of ecotours have been created, leading into the very depths of the equatorial forests.
Well, how can you do without attractions? 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
Exactly this big lake in Indonesia. It was formed more than 70 thousand years ago and is of volcanic origin. Its coastline has an extraordinary appearance, as it is almost completely overgrown with coniferous trees.
Tourists are always offered 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 in the depths.
Lösser National Park
Loesser received its name from the mountain of the same name, located on its territory. The park itself stretches 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.
Due to its uniqueness, Lösser Park was included in the World Heritage Site. Numerous tourists come here not only because of the beauty of the equatorial rainforests, but also to see the population of Sumatran orangutans. In addition, rhinoceroses, elephants, tigers and a Bengal cat live here.
Bukit Lawang Village
This small village is located in Lössem Park. Bukit Lawang is the best the best place for active tourism activities. Almost every day you can see vacationers from different countries. During the holidays, local residents come here to take a break from the city.
Several hotels have been built near the deep river. Most rooms have Free access to the river, and from the windows there is a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.
Great Mosque of 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.
The mosque is also called Raina Masjid. 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. Residents of the province attach special significance to this place and consider it a symbol of religious culture. After the devastating tsunami in 2004, she became even more revered because she managed to survive.
Village Tomok Bolon
In numerous villages of the island you can get acquainted with the traditions and customs of the Toba Tabak tribe. The village of Tomok Bolon is considered the most picturesque. It consists of huge wooden houses with thatched roofs. All dwellings are located on small elevations, which help to avoid flooding. Opposite each of them is a grain barn. Its size is so huge that the barn is often used as a bedroom.
The most beautiful place in the village it is considered a public house. It is decorated with an unusual, beautiful ornament combining red, black and white colors. The permanent attribute of this place is the buffalo horns.
At home local residents were traditionally divided into three areas: a pen 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 the next natural disaster, houses will be restored unchanged.
Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
This national reserve created to protect and increase the orangutan population. It was founded in 1973. This is one of the few places in the world where wild orangutans can still be seen. In total, there are more than 5,000 individuals in the reserve.
The main task of the rehabilitation center is to accustom animals to life in wildlife. For many years, orangutans were pets in Indonesia, but by the end of the 20th century their population had declined sharply. And today, the reserve’s staff is striving to increase the number of orangutans and adapt them to 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 preserve it in almost its original form.
Near Istana Maimun there is a souvenir shop that offers a huge selection of costume jewelry from Indonesian craftsmen. All of it is created taking into account the traditions and customs of the Indonesians and is considered an excellent reminder of the flavor of the country.
Sipiso-Piso waterfall on Lake Toba
Sipiso-Piso is located on Lake Toba. This huge waterfall(120 m.) is a most picturesque sight that can surprise any tourist. Sipiso-Piso is unique in that its waters are taken from an underground river that flows directly under the plateau.
There is a legend that the waterfall was formed during a battle between an underground dragon and the spirits of the lake. You can admire the beauty of the falling water from several equipped observation platforms.
Sarcophagus of King Sidabutar
The tomb is located near the village of Tomoka, right behind the market. The Batak king himself and his relatives rest here. This place dates back more than 200 years.
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 Sidabutar tomb there are Batak houses where a puppet festival is held every year. This holiday is very popular among local population and tourists.
Aceh Museum
This is one of the oldest museums in Indonesia. It houses 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. Some premises were restored and a new additional building was built, where conferences and exhibitions are now held.
Polonia airport
This is the very first airport on the island with international communication. 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.
The first plane landed here in 1924. A test pilot who flew from Holland was at the helm. It was at this moment that the first runway appeared in Polonii. After this, the city authorities allocated money to complete the construction of the airport.
The official opening took place in 1928.
Indonesia - large state in South-West Asia - it is not for nothing that they call it the Land of a Thousand Islands. It spreads 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, and natural and climatic zones. One of the most amazing is Sumatra, which many call a continent in miniature. There are tropics and savannas, lowland swamps and high mountains. The island is home to rhinoceroses and elephants, tigers and leopards, bears and buffalos - large fauna not native to the islands.
Geographical position
The island of Sumatra is one of largest archipelago. It extends 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 extending far to the west. The most high points they are located at a distance of 30-50 km from the Indian Ocean. They don't have names. The southern areas are known as the Barisan Range, while the Batak Plateau rises in the northern part of the island.
Around the “mother” island there are smaller areas of land. On the Indian Ocean side, mountainous, sparsely populated territories line up parallel to Sumatra: Mentawai, Nias, Engano. Along eastern shore Sinkep, Banka, Belitung are located. Simalur (Simelue) - an Indonesian island west of the island of Sumatra - has become infamous. 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, robbing ships. To the east, 420 km, is the “big brother” - the Karimata Strait lies between the “relatives”. The most populous Indonesian island of 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 to be more precise - on far west Malay Archipelago, in the triangle between Java, Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula.
Geology
The Sumatra Mountains were formed partly during the Hercynian, partly during the Mesozoic and later Paleogene folding; they also have young longitudinal faults. They are composed of quartzites, crystalline schists, limestones of Paleozoic age, and there are outcrops of granite intrusions. Average height mountains - from 1500 to 3000 m.
The Barisan Ridge is divided into two parallel chains by a longitudinal zone of faults and grabens. The island is topped with numerous active and extinct volcanoes, among which the most clearly stand out high volcano in Sumatra - Kerinci (Indrapura), with an altitude of 3800 m. It is followed by Dempo (3159 m) and Marapi (2891 m). There are only twelve active giants.
Between Sumatra and neighboring Java, the stratovolcano Krakatoa (813 m) lurks. Its eruptions are rare, but cause catastrophic destruction. The last activity observed here was 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 special feature of the area is that its coastal part is flooded by sea tides. The conditions here are favorable for extensive mangrove forests. Sumatra, Banka and Belitung islands are rich in different kinds 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 it falls unevenly. A large number of rain is caused by a mountain barrier stretching along the entire island. Maximum moisture falls in October-November north of the equator, and in December-January - 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 winds often blow in the east of the island and in east direction. They reach their greatest strength during the southwest monsoon. Basically, this hurricane wind, accompanied by a thunderstorm, is observed at night - obviously this contributes to mountain range Sumatra, stretching parallel to the Strait of Malacca.
water areas
The islands of Indonesia, due to heavy rainfall, have excess humidity. Due to this, numerous rivers flow through most regions. Sumatra is no exception: the river network is quite dense, water streams do not dry out throughout the year, washing away a lot of sedimentary material from the mountains. The largest rivers The islands are Muse, Hari, Kampar, Rokan, Inderagiri.
There are many lakes on the island. In the center of the Batak tuff plateau, in a volcanic depression lies largest lake 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 maximum depth- 433 meters. It's cool here, especially at night. A hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 320,000 kW was built on the Asahan River, flowing from the reservoir.
Soil cover
The most common soil types are podzolized laterites, which formed on the weathering crust. In the foothills and mountains the soils are represented by a variant of mountain lateritic. In the east there are alluvial and swamp soils in a wide strip, and mangrove soils on the narrow coastal strip.
Vegetation
Sumatra's geographical position near the equator favors the growth of dense tropical forests, they occupy large spaces. Unfortunately, in river valleys, on plains and in mountain basins large areas forests have been cut down, and a variety of agricultural crops are grown in reclaimed areas. Rubber trees, rice, coconut palms, tobacco, tea, cotton, and pepper are widely cultivated on the island.
The northeastern low-lying coastline is dominated by mangroves. In intermountain low areas small areas occupied by savannas. At altitudes of 1.5-3 km there are forests with a predominance of evergreen trees (laurel, oak), there are also coniferous, broad-leaved deciduous (chestnut, maple) trees. Above 3000 m, forests give way to low-growing thickets with falling leaves, shrubs and grasses.
Fauna
Ostrovny animal world predominantly represented by forest species. The jungles of Sumatra have become a Mecca for ecotourists who want to get acquainted with the life of one of the most interesting species of monkeys - orangutans.
Also typical mammals are primates (low lorises, siamangs, pig-tailed macaques, brown macaques), woolly wings, lizards, squirrels, badgers, bats. Among the large inhabitants are the two-horned rhinoceros, Indian elephant, black-backed tapir, leopard, striped pig, island weaver, and wild dogs.
Of the birds, the most interesting are gomrai, argus, broadbill, and several species of pigeons. Among the reptiles on the island there are flying dragons, gharials (crocodiles), and snakes. Among the amphibians, the legless caecilian stands out. There are a lot of different insects and arachnids.
Dormant supervolcano
On the map it is not much different from neighboring lands, but it was here that an epoch-making cataclysm took place 73,000 years ago, changing the history of the Earth. The explosion of a supervolcano gave rise to the so-called volcanic winter, reminiscent of a nuclear one. In addition to 3000 km, 3 ash entered the atmosphere great amount anhydride, which caused widespread acid rain.
For six years, the planet experienced unnaturally low temperatures, and acid rain destroyed vegetation. The next millennium is characterized by cooling and the advance of glaciers. As a result, from a large population of people, only the smartest survived - about 10,000 representatives of the species Homo sapiens in the heart of Africa. In fact, a natural disaster contributed to the “explosive” development of intelligence among 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 same 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 Lake Tonle Sap) in Southeast Asia.
Located on Lake Toba picturesque island Samosir. It is famous for its incredible landscapes, nature, and authentic culture. Not only Muslims live here, but also a people called Batak. They are Christians and have very unique folk traditions, art, and especially architecture. Samosir is quite small, its length coastline- 111 km. But this small territory organically accommodates developed tourist centers, and "untouched" natural landscape, And everyday life Sumatran peasants.
Although the water in Toba is fresh, its clarity, azure blue, surrounding landscapes and microclimate are reminiscent of the Mediterranean coast. This association is broken only by the absence big waves, which is a big advantage for many tourists.
Population
Indonesia is home to more than 300 peoples, with linguists counting 719 living languages and dialects. About 90% of citizens, including those in Sumatra, are Muslims. Most islanders speak Indonesian, which is only 50 years old. It unites different peoples and nationalities in the country, it is studied in schools, and it dominates on television and in the press.
The western region (Banka, Sumatra, Mentawai Islands, 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, the Malays dominate, in the south - the Javanese. The Chinese and Tamils are concentrated in urban centers.
Less than a third of the population lives in cities. Largest 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 live an amazing people - the Bataks. First of all, their fantastic architecture surprises: the three-story houses are reminiscent of Noah's Ark. The indigenous inhabitants explain that the first floor is intended for animals: previously 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 very much in spirits, which is why attics can even be larger than the first two floors combined. In everyday life, the Bataks (there are about 6 million of them on the island) speak their own language, but the majority speak national Indonesian. Many people understand English.
There is a Frenchman living in Sumatra who has been traveling around these parts on a motorcycle for 20 years. According to him, he has not yet seen all the worthy places and is not going to stop. What is it that attracts him, having seen tropical species, so much?
Sumatra is a unique combination of majestic volcanoes, delightful lakes with water like a child's tears, virgin jungles, cool highlands and endless valleys. In the necklace of islands scattered around it you can find the best diving in the world, extra-surfing, and ancient megaliths. Sumatra is inhabited by the unique Minangkabau and Batak peoples with their impressive architecture and extraordinary musicality. And on top of that, Sumatra is located away from mass travel destinations, so you can enjoy its splendor thoughtfully and calmly, without looking at the herds of organized tourists.
The island encloses the entire archipelago from the west and is cut in half by the equator. The climate is, respectively, equatorial and subequatorial, with year-round temperatures of about 30°. The western part of Sumatra is occupied by highlands, where the climate tends to be European.
In terms of its ethnic and religious composition, the island is an amazing mix of strict Muslim Acehnese in the north, Christians and formal Muslims in the center, Javanese Muslims in the south with the addition of wild animist tribes living in the jungle and on the islands west coast. All of them, however, live amicably and no outbreaks of inter-ethnic violence have been recorded.
The history of Sumatra, like neighboring Java, forms the basis of the history of the entire country, which can be found in the corresponding section. The Sriwijaya Empire, once the most powerful in Southeast Asia, with its capital in Palembang, has long since collapsed, relegating Sumatra to a secondary role in regional politics. Now the main events and battles are unfolding around oil, the richest deposits of which are found in the east and north of the island. The Ache Sultanate, with its capital in the city of Banda Ache, fought for a long time for independence, first with the Dutch administration, then with the Indonesian government. The latest clashes occurred in 2003, when bloody army fighting with separatists left 3,000 people dead. Everyone was judged by the tsunami in December 2004, which washed away half the city. Since then, the situation has become much calmer, although the Acehnese have not given up their dream of becoming a “second Brunei.”
The most interesting places concentrated in the north and center of the island. The southern part, although it has natural attractions, is much less popular. Most tourists travel along the Medan - Padang section, discussed below, sometimes visiting the northern tip of the island in the province of Ache.