Location

The province of North Sumatra stretches across the island of Sumatra between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca.

Climate

The Indonesian climate is tropical. The warm waters of the ocean surrounding the archipelago ensure fairly constant temperatures on land and there is little seasonal variation. There is also very little difference in daylight hours from season to season.

Sumatra's weather is typical for Indonesia, but temperatures can often be lower than expected in the highlands. This slightly cooler and less humid highland climate can be a great relief and is good for hiking and other adventurous activities. The average daytime highs in Sumatra range from 72°F - 86°F (22°C - 30°C) while the rainfall differs from region to region and humidity levels are high in the lowlands. There are two main seasons: the dry season runs from February to August; and the wet season from September to January.

The climate of Indonesia is dominated by heavy monsoon rains, which generally occur between October and April, often causing damage and making local travel difficult (the rainy season is also the worst time for some mosquito-borne diseases). The best time of year to visit Sumatra is any time during the dry season which in Sumatra means between late February and August.

Area

72,981.23㎢.

Natural Environment

Sumatra supports a wide range of vegetation types which are home to a rich variety of species, including 17 endemic genera of plants. Unique species include the Sumatran pine which dominates the Sumatran tropical pine forests of the higher mountainsides in the north of the island and rainforest plants such as Rafflesia arnoldii (the world's largest individual flower), and the titan arum (the world's largest unbranched inflorescence).

The island is home to 201 mammal species and 580 bird species, such as the Sumatran ground cuckoo. There are 9 endemic mammal species on mainland Sumatra and 14 more endemic to the nearby Mentawai Islands. There are about 300 freshwater fish species in Sumatra.

The Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran ground cuckoo, and Sumatran orangutan are all critically endangered, indicating the highest level of threat to their survival. In October 2008, the Indonesian government announced a plan to protect Sumatra's remaining forests.

The island includes more than 10 national parks, including 3 which are listed as the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra World Heritage Site – Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. The Berbak National Park is one of three national parks in Indonesia listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Population

13.53 million (till 2014)

Time difference

6 hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time (GTM+6)

Currency

Rupiah, IDR

Airport

Kuala Namu International Airport

Tourism

North Sumatra considered as one of top tourism activities in Sumatra Island, just below Riau Islands. According to Ministry of Tourism, North Sumatra is included on top 10 visited province in Indonesia. There are various kind of tourism place that could be found throughout the province, Berastagi is the best known as hilly place with a cooler temperature as the whole province is in tropical region. Lake Toba also the hilly area included a largest volcanic lake with an island in the center. Nias Island and other several islands narby named Batu Islands is the best place for surfing cause a good sea waves. The capital itself, Medan, has a lot place of interest, mainly on historical tourism. The city also known for its cuisine. The list below are the most known place of interest in North Sumatra:

• Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world. Located in the centre of North Sumatra, the lake can be reached via Parapat (Simalungun regency), Tongging (Karo regency), and Balige (Toba Samosir regency).
• Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world. Located in the centre of North Sumatra, the lake can be reached via Parapat (Simalungun regency), Tongging (Karo regency), and Balige (Toba Samosir regency).
• Bukit Lawang known for the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatran orangutan (around 5,000 orangutans occupy the area), and also the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park from the east side.
• Nias Island is an island off the western coast of Sumatra. Nias is an internationally popular surfing destination. The best known surfing area is Sorake Bay, close to the town of Teluk Dalam, on the southern tip. This is enclosed by the beaches of Lagundri and Sorake. Tourists can visit the island by plane from Medan, or by ferry from Sibolga.
• Bawomataluo village is a settlement in the Teluk Dalam province of the South Nias Regency of Indonesia. The village is built on a flat-topped hill, the name Bawomataluo meaning "Sun Hill", and is one of the best-preserved villages built in traditional style.
• Berastagi is a small highland town located 63 kilometers to the south of Medan, and is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers.
• Dolok Tinggi Raja has a unique soil color is white because it is located in a limestone hill that resembles snow, and also in the middle of this area there are lakes with hot water with blue-green colored, located in Tinggi Raja, Simalungun.
• Lumbini Natural Park is a Buddhist theravada-style temple that is similar to Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar.
• Dua Warna Waterfall is a two-coloured waterfall located on Sibolangit.
• Poncan Island is a resort including a beaches located on west offshore of Sibolga city.
• Berhala Island is a 2,5 hectares island located in the Malaka Strait near the boundary of Indonesia and Malaysia. It is a popular place for snorkeling and watching turtle nesting. Visitors can reach the island via boat from Sergei in the Serdang Bedagai regency.
• Sipisopiso, one of the highest waterfalls in Indonesia, is located near Tongging in Karo regency.
• Simalem Resort, is a 5 star resort located around 8 km from Munthe village, Karo Regency. This place is the good place to sighseeing the whole Lake Toba from top of the Hill.
• Taman Iman, Indonesian name for The Garden of Faith located in Sitinjo village, Dairi around 10 km away from Sidikalang, it is a religious garden with dioramas from 5 religion of Indonesia (Islam, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian)
• Bahal temple, an ancient Buddhist monastery located on Padang Bolak, Padang Lawas Regency, around 3 hours journey with car from Padangsidempuan. The temple believes constructed between the 11th to 13th century CE.
• Sigura-Gura Waterfall located on Porsea, Toba Samosir Regency, this is a waterfall that has a height that reaches 250 meters.
• Rahmat International Wildlife Museum and Gallery, is a natural history museum in Medan. The museum displays various taxidermy collections of wildlife from the smallest to the largest according to the habitat.
• Tangkahan is a tourist site situated on the edge of the Gunung Leuser national park, around 20 km due north from Bukit Lawang, The main tourist draw at Tangkahan is the presence of Sumatran elephant.
• Salib Kasih, Indonesian name for Love Cross, located on Tarutung. The development objective of this cross-shaped monument is to commemorate the service and dedication of Dr. Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen which is a missionary from northern Germany. This Parks built on Dolok (Hill) Siatas Barita
• Lingga is one of the village in the Karo Regency. located at an altitude of about 1200 m above sea level, approximately 15 km from Brastagi and 5 km from the Kabanjahe. Linga is unique Karo traditional house and village that has been built an estimated of 250 years ago, but still sturdy

Contact information

JI. Tengku Daud No.5 Medan, Sumatera Utara 20151, Indonesia
Tel. +6261 4535279 / Fax. +6261 4537050 / E-mail. hidayatiwan@yahoo.com

URL

For more information, please visit http://www.sumutprov.go.id/

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