The Province of North Sumatera

Geography

In contrast to the small island of Bali, the province of North Sumatera is a large province stretching fromthe Indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the east, and from Aceh in the north to West Sumatera in the south, with one of the largest lakes in the world, Lake Toba, at its navel. The continuous mountain of Bukit Barisan, which extends from Aceh at the tip of the island of Sumatera to Lampung at the bottom of the island, guards the province on the west side, providing home to thick, tropical jungles and lush vegetations. As you go down the western mountains towards the beaches of the east, mountain streams, strong rivers, and gorgeous waterfalls will accompany you along.

Culture

Relative to Bali, North Sumatera has a very heterogenous ethnic groups, and thus, cultures. The people of the eastern coasts, also known as the Malays (Melayu) have markedly different traditions and culture from the Batak highlanders who live around Lake Toba and Samosir Island. Further south, the Mandailings and Angkolas, and the Island of Nias, have yet more flavors of traditions and culture.

The diversity of arts and cultures literally make this region a Garden of Eden for social scientists and culture seekers. It is a treasure chest of culture and tradition, with ancient graves of Batak kings, unique dances and ceremonies, and beautiful arts and crafts.

Activities

There are many places to observe these cultural salad bowl:

Medan
Lake Toba
The Karo Highland
Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging
Nias Island

The Nias Island will also provide you with one of the best surfing sites in the world.

Nature

North Sumatera is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna with a wealth of birds, butterflies, buffallo and deer. The province proudly boasts of its Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in the Gunung Leuser National Park which is bordered by the fast flowing Bohorok River and some delightful countryside and of course Lake Toba, legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia.

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