NORTH SUMATRA

NORTH SUMATRA

North Sumatra is one of Indonesia's last surfing frontiers. "North Sumatra" consists of 5 islands or island groups: Hinako Islands, Nias, Telos and 2 other obscure island groups to the north. North Sumatra receives similar swell to Mentawais and enjoys its peak swell season from May to September. Despite Indonesia's reputation for hollow lefts, in North Sumatra right-handers are slightly more prevalent. While Lagundri Bay at Nias has been surfed for decades, it is the more obscure rights like Bawa (a Sunset-like right bowl that holds up to 15 feet) and Treasure Island (a long, hollow, mechanical right peeling for 200 meters) that have attracted the attention of late. Throw a mix of hollow and bowl lefthanders into the picture like Asu, Afulu, the Machine, and many more obscure rights and lefts.

In contrast to the small island of Bali, North Sumatra province is large with one of the biggest lakes in the world, Toba Lake, at its navel. The continuous mountain of Bukit Barisan, which extends from Aceh at the tip of Sumatra island to Lampung at the bottom of the island, guards the province on the west side, providing home for 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 the length of this province crosses Bukit Barisan Mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches. It has a rich flora and fauna. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, orangutans and many other export commodities make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, as it produces more than 30 % of Indonesia's exports. The province offers the visitors, especially nature lovers, beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts.

Relative to Bali, North Sumatra has very heterogeneous ethnic groups, and thus, cultures. The people of the eastern coasts, also known as the Malays (Melayu) have markedly different traditions and culture from Batak highlanders who live around Toba Lake and Samosir Island. Further south, the Mandailings and Angkolas, and Nias Island, have yet more flavors of traditions and culture. Besides them, there are several ethnic groups who live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra. Its largest groups are Chinese and Indian, who being naturalized Indonesian citizens. Other Indonesian tribes like Acehnese, Minangkabau, Javanese, etc also live in many parts here. Each of the mentioned tribes as well as the ethnic groups has its own dialect, religion, beliefs, traditional customs, etc. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures, which can be seen at Samosir Island, are the centuries old tombs of Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its benches, where the Siallagan chiefs formerly held meetings.

Geographically
North Sumatra province has 70,787 sq km width. Geographically, it is located between 1o and 4o North Latitude and between 98o and 100o East Longitude. The area is Borders with:

• North side: the special territory of Aceh
• South side: West Sumatra Province and Riau Province
• West side: Indian Ocean
• East side: Malacca Strait

Administratively
North Sumatra Province is divided among 11 regencies, 6 municipals, and 3 administrative towns with Medan as its capital city.

Geology
Composed of coastal areas, lowlands, plateaus, and mountains.
Humidity: Varies between 79% and 96%.
Climate
As one of Indonesia islands, North Sumatra has rainfall of 1,100-3,400 mm per year. It temperature is range between 18o C and 34o C.

Demography
Historically, North Sumatra Province has a migration flow of population either from other provinces because of the existence of heavy plantation in this province or migration to other areas for studying and expanding business. Since population mobility is high, there are multi ethnics on the community. In 1994, the population density of North Sumatra Province reached 157 people per Km2. Compared to the average national population growth (2.144% per year), this province was on the lower level with 1.53% per year. The projection population composition in 1997 can be seen on the following table.

LOCAL INTEREST

Medan
Medan was one the site of a battlefield between the Aceh people and the neighbouring Deli Kingdom. [More...]

Lake Toba - Parapat
The town of Pa apat is the main tourist resort and lies on the very shore of famous Lake Toba. [More...]

Samosir Island
The island of Samosir is right in the middle of Lake Toba, covering area of 329 square miles. [More...]

Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park
Located at Tongkoh village, in the district of the Karo highlands, approximately 59 km from Medan. Formerly TaLura Bukit Barisan since 1916, known for its location called "Arboretum Tongkoh- ' Berastagi", however since 1989 renovated and renamed Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park. [More...]

Crocodile Farm
Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia. Here one can see how the crocodile eggs are hatched, and then reared somewhere else. [More...]

Bohorok
This places is for the adventurous, accesible through SUMATRAs inland wilderness, crossing rivers and going over steep hills. [More...]

Berastagi
Berastagi, a tourist town is another lovely town located in the Karo highlands. The town is known fomts plantations and various kinds of flowers vegetables and fruit most famous of which is the "Marquisa" passion frult. [More...]

Jangga
Jangga is a village of native Bataks, located in the hills, on the main road to other Batak communities living separately there, like Lumban Nabolon village, Tonga-Tonga Sirait Uruk village, [More...]

Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging
Tongging is a place to see a waterfall surrounded by beautiful sights in cool mauntain air. It is 24 km from Kaban jahe, located at the north side of Lake Toba. The 360 feet waterfall is visible from a gazebo at one of the tops of the hills.

The Village of Lingga
Located some 15 km from Berastagi, this is a unique Batak Karo village where traditional houses are still well preserved and inhabited today. [More...]

Rumah Bolon
House of Bolon (Rumah Bolon), the long house that belonged to King Simalungun has now been restored and redesigned into a museum .

Pematang Siantar
Pematang Siantar is the second largest city, Iying 128 km to the South of Medan. On the way, you will pass through many rubber, cocoa, palm oil, tobacco and tea plantations. [More...]

Pandan Beach
A seaside resort with white sandy beaches where a fishing village can be found 11 km from Sibolga. [more...]

South Tapanuli
It lies in the southern part of North Sumatra, bordering the provinces of West Sumatra and Riou. This region has a population of approximately 900.000. It lies on the way to West Sumatra overland. [More...]

Nias Island
This island lies off West Sumatra in the Indian Ocean. The villages of Bawomataluo and Hilisimae are curions places to visit, where visitors can see performances of traditional war-dances and thrilling high-jump sports, i.e. people making dangerous leaps over 2 meter-high stones. [More...]

HISTORY

North Sumatra is a large province stretching from the indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the East and from Aceh in the north to West Sumatra in the south. It is thick with virgin forests, lush vegetation and jungle covered hills, terraced ricefields, cool mountain streams, strong rivers, beautiful waterfalls, peaceful white sandy beaches and large ancient lakes.

The people of the region are hospitable and warm and can be divided into five main ethnic groups; the Coastal Malays living along the Malaka Straits; the Bataks consisting of the sub-tribes of Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi) and Karon of the highlands around Lake Toba and Samosir Island; the Pesisirs of Central Tapanuli along the Indian Ocean coastline; the Mandailings and Angkolas from southern Tapanuli and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province.

These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs and traditional arts, customs and culture. There are also several ethnic groups who live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other parts of archipelago are represented, but non more strongly than the Acehnese, Minangkabau and Javanese who now live in many parts of the area. As a result the area is often regarded as constituting a natural museum of Indonesia's proto-Malay heritage in which ancient customs and traditions have been preserved.

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 waiting to be explored, with ancient graves of Batak kings, unique dances and ceremonies, and beautiful arts and crafts. North Sumatra is also one of the riches provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna with a wealth of birds, butterflies, buffalo and deer. The province proudly boats 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 Southest Asia.

The region also produces more than 30% of Indonesia's export commodities and handles about 60% of them, making it vital cag in the Indonesian economy. Tabacco, palm oil, tea and rubber are produced in large quantities, particulary around Medan in the north of the province.

RESTAURANT

Asoka (Seafood)
Cirebon Streeet 76 A, Medan
Phone: (061) 456 1234

Kashmir (Indian Food)
Teuku Street 45, Medan
Phone: (061) 4150347

Losmen Garuda Rumah Makan
Merdeka Lk Street 3
Phone: (0631) 510377

Maharaja (Indian Food)
Teuku Cik Ditiro Street, Medan
Phone: (061) 4154821

Maharaja (Indian Food)
Teuku Cik Ditiro Street, Medan
Phone: (061) 4154821

Matsukaze (Japanese Food)
Danau Toba International Hotel
Imam Bonjol Street 17, Medan
Phone: (061) 4157000

Padang Bolak Rumah Makan
Sisingamaraja Street 11
Phone: (0631) 510367

Padang Rumah Makan
Mesjid Street 75
Phone: (0631) 23770

Rumah Makan Minang Saiyo
Merdeka Street 5
Phone: (0631) 510 265

Sheraton Palace (Safood)
Orion Street 101-103, Medan 20112
Phone: (061) 4526244

Sibolga Hidangan Baru Rumah Makan
Merdeka Street 29
Phone: (0631) 510283

The Tavern (European & Indonesian Food)
Danau Toba International Hotel
Phone: (061) 415 7000

Minang Jaya Rumah Makan
Merdeka Lk Street 4
Phone: (0631) 510410

Minang Saiyo Rumah Makan
Merdeka Lk Street 5, Medan
Phone: (0631) 510265

Nelayan Dim Sum (Sea Food)
Medan Mall
Phone: (061) 4578773

Remaja Restaurant
Padangsidempuan Street 50
Phone: (0631) 371155

ACCOMODATION

North Sumatra is a large province stretching from the indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the East and from Aceh in the north to West Sumatra in the south. It is thick with virgin forests, lush vegetation and jungle covered hills, terraced ricefields, cool mountain streams, strong rivers, beautiful waterfalls, peaceful white sandy beaches and large ancient lakes.

HOTEL & RESORT

Tiara Medan Hotel Jl. CutMutiah, Medan 20152 Phone : (061) 516000 Telex : 51721 GRIYA IA Polonia Hotel Jl. Jend. Sudirman 14- 18 P.O.Box. 303 Medan 20151 Phone :(061) 535111 Garuda Plaza Hotel Jl. Sisingamangaraja 18 P O.Box. 353 Medan 20213 Phone: (061) 711411 Sumatra Village Resort Jl. Letjen Jamin Ginting Phone :(061) 830036 Garuda Hotel Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.27 Phone : (O61) 324453 Waiyat Hotel Jl. Asia No. 44 Medan 20214 Phone: (061) 2747 Petisah Hotel Jl. Nibung Raya II No.22 Phone: (061) 522942, Pelangi Int. Hotel Jl. LetjenJamin Ginting 12-13 Medan 20135 Phone : (061) 831516 Danau Toba Int. Cottage Jl. Gabion 19 Belawan Phone : (061) 41492-41335 Elbruba Hotel Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan 29 Phone: (O61) 22477, 520119 Sumatra Hotel Jl. Sisingamangaraja 21 Medan Phone : (061) 717072 Danau Toba Medan Motel Jl. Hayam Wuruk 2-6 Medan Phone :(061) 25785 Danau Toba Int. Hotel Jl. Imam Bonjol 17 PO.Box. 490 Medan 20152 Phone :~061) 327000 Dirga Surya Hotel Jl. Imam Bonjol No. 6 Phone : (061) 321555 Natour Dharma Deli Jl. Balai Kota No.2 Medan 20111 Phone: (061) 327001 Angkasa Hotel Jl. Sutomo No. 61 Medan 20234 Phone :(061) 322555 Pardede International Hotel Jl. Ir. H.Juanda 14 PO.Box. 490 Medan Phone: (061) 323866 KARO REGENT Sibayak Int. Hotel Jl. Merdeka Brastagi 22151 Phone: (O628) 91301 Hotel Mutiara Jl. Besar Peceran, Berastagi Phone : (0628) 915555 Rudang Hotel Jl. Sempurna No.3, Berastagi Phone: (0628) 91579 Hotel Rose Garden Jl. Piceren No.30, Berastagi 22151 Phone: (0628) 91777 Sinabung Hotel Jl. Kolam Renang, Brastagi Phone : (0628) 91400 Brastagi Cottage Jl. Gundaling No.65, Berastagi Phone: (0628) 720421 Bukit Kubu Hotel Jl. Sempurna No. 2, Berastagi Phone: (0628) 91533 Danau Toba Int.Cottage Jl. Gundaling No.66, Berastagi 22151 Phone: (0628) 20946 G.M.Panggabean Int. Hotel Jl. Merdeka No.9, Berastagi 22151 Phone: (0628) 91667 Bere Karona Hotel Jl. Pendidikan 148 PO.Box 15 Berastagi 22151 Phone : (0628) 20888 PEMATANG SIANTAR / SIMALUNGUN Hotel Niagara Parapat Jl. Pembangunan No.1 Parapat Phone: (0625) 41028 Hotel Siantar Jl. W.R. Supratman No.3 Siantar 21117 Phone: (0622) 21091 Hotel & Bungalow Astari Jl. P. Samosir No.9, Parapat Phone: (0625) 41219 Hotel Parbina Puri Int. Jl. Jend. A.Yani No.108 Phone: (0622) 52505 Wisma Danau Toba Jl. P. Samosir 3-6, Parapat 21174 Phone: (0625) 41302 Hotel Parapat View Jl. Sidada Pintu, Parapat 21174 Phone: (0625) 41375 Hotel Siantar Parapat Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.8, Parapat 21174 Phone: (0625) 41564 Danau Toba Int Cottage Jl. Nelson Purba No.4, Parapat 21174 Phone: (0625) 41172 Hotel Natour Parapat Jl. Marihat No.1, Parapat Phone: (0625) 41012 Hotel Danau Toba Int. Jl. P. Samosir No.17, Parapat Phone: (0625) 41583 Hotel Patradasa Parapat Jl. Pertamina Siahan, Parapat 21174 Phone: (0625) 41196 SAMOSIR ISLAND AT TOBA LAKE Hotel Silintong Jl. Durian No.5 Tuk-Tuk Siodang Samosir, Medan 20234 Phone: (0622) 41345 Hotel Toba Beach Jl. Tomok, P. Samosir Jl. SM.Raja 92A, Medan Phone : (0622) 41275 SOUTH TAPANULI Hotel Natama Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.100, P. Sidempuan Phone: (0634) 88806, Hotel Tor Sibohi Nauli Jl. Raya Padang Sidempuan, Tarutung, Siporok Phone: (0634) 21725 LABUHAN BATU / ASAHAN Hotel Akasia Garden Jl. Mahoni No.2, Kisaran 21216 Phone: (0623) 41253 Hotel Rantau Parapat Jl. Jend. A. Yani No.178, Rantau Parpat 21415 Phone: (0628) 21575

ART SHOP AND LOCAL SOUVENIR

MEDAN
ABC Art Shop (painting, antiques, statues) Jl. Jend. A. Yani 50 Medan Indonesia Art shop (painting, antiques) Jl. Jend. A Yani, Medan	Indo Craft (paintings, antiques, statues) Jl. Mesjid Raya No.29 Medan vira's Ulos Collection Jl. Sei Deli No.27, Medan

MEDAN New Pacific Holidays Jl. Palang Merah No.94 Medan Phone : (061) 537840 Fax : (061) 515534 PACTO Ltd. Jl. Brigjen. Katamso 35-D, Medan 20151 Phone: (061) 510081, 513669 Telex : 51707 PACTO IA Seiba Tour & Travel Jl. Bukit Barisan 3-G, Medan 20111 Phone: (061) 511950, 556279 Fax : (061) 538395, 438220 Sutrabu Agung Tour & Travel Jl. Kol. Sugiono 2-F, Medan 20151 Phone: (061) 510888, 518733 Fax : (061) 510366, 326953 Nitour Inc. Jl. Prof. H.M. Yamin 21-E PO. Bax. 248 Medan Phone: (061) 532191, 532074 Fax : (061) 513074 Avia Interliner Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 82, Medan 29127 Phone: (061) 712426, 766330 Boraspati Express Jl. Dazan Raya No.77, Medan 20112 Phone: (061) 526802 Telex : 51643 IMAM Ever Prompt Service LTD. Jl. Sutomo 450-452, Medan 20231 Phone : (061) 522525 Fax : (061) 530300, 538220 Telex : 51748 Promt IA Four Seas Tour & Travel Jl. Thamrin 75, Medan 20124 Phone: (061) 716766, 710066 Fax : (061) 517766 Telex : 51732 Seas ia King's Star Tour & Travel Jl. Pemuda 24-B, Medan 20151 Phone: (061) 515111 (12 lines) Fax : (061) 522229, 512349 Telex : 51762 KING'S IA Natrabu Tours & Travel Jl. Cut Mutia, Medan Phone : (061) 516000 Fax : (061) 520661 Satriavi Tours & Travel Jl. Cut Mutia (Hotel Tiara), Medan 20152 Phone: (061) 516000 ext. 8073 Eka Sukma Wisata Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 92A, Medan 20213 Phone: (061) 720421, 720964 Fax : (061) 717522, 511284 Telex : 51605 Sukma ia Erni Panca Putera Jl. Brigjen. Katamso 43, Medan 20151 Phone: (061) 513277, 513741 Fax : (061) 516187 Telex : 51082

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