Sumatra is the second largest island in the Indonesian
archipelago, about the size of California, formed by a longitudinal
spine of mountains including nearly 100 volcanoes. Sumatra is a
beautiful island with volcanoes and hot springs, lakes and rivers,
rolling green foothills, plantations and wild jungle scenery. Many
reserves protect the island's wealth of indigenous wildlife, and
elephants, tigers, rhinos, orangutans and tapirs can be seen on
organised safaris within protected reserves.
The majority of the population lives in the foothills, plateaus
and highlands of Sumatra, working as farmers. The entire island was
once covered in dense rainforest, but today most has been destroyed
by the need for agricultural land, which is the country's prime
earner, with key exports including palm oil, rubber, tobacco,
coffee and tea.
The island is home to numerous peoples and cultures. Among them
are the Muslim Minangkabau and the great highland people, the
Batak, inhabiting a fertile volcanic plateau, with a language,
dress, religious belief, architectural style and culture all of
their own. Lake Toba, the spiritual centre of the Batak, is a major
tourist destination lined with resorts. The busy hill town of
Bukittinggi is the hub of the Minang culture, surrounded by
spectacular scenery and close to Lake Maninjau, a sparkling
volcanic crater lake surrounded by jungle-covered crater walls.
This is an island of plenty: with its scenery, wildlife, natural
resources, cultural diversity and extraordinary architecture
Sumatra has much to offer the visitor. Though not as popular a
destination as neighbouring Bali or Jakarta, Sumatra is an
increasingly fashionable eco-tourism destination, and cycling or
riding a scooter through the mountains and valleys can be a great
way to take in the astonishing natural beauty.