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Sabtu, 19 Mei 2018

WELCOME IN SUMATRA


SUMATRA
Sumatra is an island in Southeast Asia that is part of the Sunda Islands. Sumatra has a wide range of plant and animal species but has lost almost 50% of its tropical rainforest in the last 35 years. Many species are now critically endangered, such as the Sumatran ground cuckoo, the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran elephant, the Sumatran rhinoceros, and the Sumatran orangutan. Deforestation on the island has also resulted in serious seasonal smoke haze over neighbouring countries, such as the 2013 Southeast Asian haze causing considerable tensions between Indonesia and affected countries Malaysia and Singapore.

Etymology
Sumatra was known in ancient times by the Sanskrit names of Swarnadwīpa ("Island of Gold") and Swarnabhūmi ("Land of Gold"), because of the gold deposits in the island's highlands.The first mention of the name of Sumatra was in the name of Srivijayan Haji (king) Sumatrabhumi ("King of the land of Sumatra"),who sent an envoy to China in 1017. Arab geographers referred to the island as
Lamri (Lamuri, Lambri or Ramni) in the tenth through thirteenth centuries, in reference to a kingdom near modern-day Banda Aceh which was the first landfall for traders. The island is also known by other names namely, Andalas or Percha Island.

Late in the 14th century the name Sumatra became popular in reference to the kingdom of Samudra Pasai, a rising power until replaced by the Sultanate of Aceh. Sultan Alauddin Shah of Aceh, in letters addressed to Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1602, referred to himself as "king of Aceh and Samudra".The word itself is from Sanskrit "Samudra", (समुद्र), meaning "gathering together of waters, sea or ocean".Marco Polo named the kingdom Samara or Samarcha in the late 13th century, while the 14th century traveller Odoric of Pordenone used Sumoltra for Samudra. Subsequent European writers then used similar forms of the name for the entire island.

European writers in the 19th century found that the indigenous inhabitants did not have a name for the island.



History
The Melayu Kingdom was absorbed by Srivijaya.Srivijayan influence waned in the 11th century after it was defeated by the Chola Empire of southern India. At the same time, Islam made its way to Sumatra through Arabs and Indian traders in the 6th and 7th centuries AD.[13] By the late 13th century, the monarch of the Samudra kingdom had converted to Islam. Marco Polo visited the island
in 1292, and Ibn Battuta visited twice during 1345–1346. Samudra was succeeded by the powerful Aceh Sultanate, which survived to the 20th century. With the coming of the Dutch, the many Sumatran princely states gradually fell under their control. Aceh, in the north, was the major obstacle, as the Dutch were involved in the long and costly Aceh War (1873–1903).

The Free Aceh Movement fought against Indonesian government forces in the Aceh Insurgency from 1976 to 2005.Security crackdowns in 2001 and 2002 resulted in several thousand civilian deaths.

Geography
Sumatra is the largest island that is located entirely in Indonesia (after Borneo, which is shared between Indonesia and other countries), the 4th largest island entirely within a country and the sixth-largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 (not including adjacent islands such as the Riau Islands and Bangka Belitung Islands); which is 50% bigger than entire British isles (315,134 km2 (121,674 sq mi)). The longest axis of the island runs approximately 1,790 km (1,110 mi) northwest–southeast, crossing the equator nearthe centre. At its widest point, the island spans 435 km (270 mi). The interior of the island is dominated by two geographical regions: the Barisan Mountains inthe west and swampy plains in the east. Sumatra is the closest Indonesian island to mainland Asia.

To the southeast is Java, separated by the Sunda Strait. To the north is the Malay Peninsula (located on the Asian mainland), separated by the Strait of Malacca. To the east is Borneo, across the Karimata Strait. West of the island is the Indian Ocean.

The Great Sumatran fault (a strike-slip fault), and the Sunda megathrust (a subduction zone), run the entire length of the island along its west coast. On 26 December 2004, the western coast and islands of Sumatra, particularly Aceh province, were struck by a tsunami following the Indian Ocean earthquake. This was the longest earthquake recorded, lasting between 500 and 600 seconds.More than 170,000 Indonesians were killed, primarily in Aceh. Other recent earthquakes to strike Sumatra include the 2005 Nias–Simeulue earthquake and the 2010 Mentawai earthquake and tsunami.To the east, big rivers carry silt from the mountains, forming the vast lowland interspersed by swamps. Even if mostly unsuitable for farming, the area is currently of great economic importance for Indonesia. It produces oil from both above and below the soil – palm oil and petroleum.

Sumatra is the largest producer of Indonesian coffee. Small-holders grow Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) in the highlands, while Robusta (Coffea canephora) is found in the lowlands. Arabica coffee from the regions of Gayo, Lintong and Sidikilang is typically processed using the Giling Basah (wet hulling) technique,which gives it a heavy body and low acidity.

Flora and Fauna
Sumatra supports a wide range of vegetation types which are home to a rich variety of species, including 17 endemic genera of plants.Unique speciesinclude 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.There are 93amphibian species in Sumatra, 21 of which are endemic to 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.

Regions
Sumatra is divided into ten provinces.

Aceh
The westernmost province of Indonesia which became world-famous overnight after the 2004 boxing-day tsunami. It is the country's most socially and religiously conservative province, and the only one to practice Islamic Sharia laws. SCUBA dive and snorkel on the island Pulau Weh in the north and Singkil on the south, relax for two or three days on the shore of tranquil Lake Laut Tawar in Takengon (Gayo Highlands) and do a trekking trip the wild jungles on the hills of Gunung Leuser National Park through Ketambe and Kutacane.

North Sumatra
A dynamic province where sizable shares of Christian and Muslim populations living together in peace for centuries. Pay a visit to orangutan sanctuary in Bukit Lawang, stop at Maimun Palace in Medan, Sumatra's largest city, watch the majestic Sipiso-Piso waterfall in Berastagi, circle the Lake Toba while making a stop at Tele to watch the sunrise above the lake, and meet semi-primitive
tribesmen of Nias.

West Sumatra
The land of Minangkabau people, very famous for their spicy cuisines. Here you can visit the historical city of Bukittinggi, amazed by magnificent scenery along Harau Valley and architectural marvels of Kelok Sembilan, relax on the shore of Lake Maninjau or cycling on the side of Lake Singkarak, surf through insanely strong waves on Mentawai, stroll around the exotic coal city of Sawahlunto as well as a visit to Pagaruyung Palace of Batusangkar.

Riau
Different from the rest of Sumatra that are commonly mountainous, this province is relatively flat. The overflowing oil brings in the wealth and prosperity to the whole province. Visit the largest remains of Srivijaya Empire, Muara Takus, of Kampar, visit the beautiful white-marble palace of Siak Sri Indrapura, and doa trekking trip to Tesso Nilo national park, famous of its Sumatran elephant
populations.

Riau Islands
Parts of Riau separated from the mainland Sumatra is recognized as a distinct province. Watch the sunset over Barelang Bridge of Batam, enjoy Chinese cuisine at Tanjungpinang, visit the remains of old sultanate in Penyengat Island, while you can also take extra miles to visit the pristine water of Natuna and Anambas where you can tell all of your friends "I was there before it was
discovered.".

Jambi
The centrally located province of Sumatra is practically unheard as a tourist destination. But do not overlook this sparsely populated province. Here you can hike to the top of Sumatra's highest peak, Mount Kerinci, while paying a visit to Kerinci-Seblat National Park, the last home of Sumatran
tigers. Near the capital, lies Muaro Jambi, the largest temple compound in Sumatra, where it is easy to spend the whole day.

South Sumatra
The bustling and prosperous province with strong blend of Melayu culture. This province was once the central seat for the mighty Srivijayan Empire. Visit Palembang, Sumatra's second largest city, to take the picture of Jembatan Ampera at night while enjoying unique local cuisine, continue to pleasant highlands of Pagaralam and Lahat, mountainous highlands dotted with valleys and
waterfalls.

Bangka Belitung
Separated from the Sumatra mainland, this province is very famous for the granite beaches. Swim in shallow water of amazing Tanjung Tinggi and Pantai Parai, snorkel across Tanjung Kelayang, sip acoconut, visit the old lighthouse of Lengkuas Island. For culture freaks, Manggar offers you a niche attractions of Laskar Pelangi, a widely celebrated Indonesian novel which has been translated into twenty-six languages.

Bengkulu
The province is isolated by Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park mountain range. It offers numerous historical attractions. Visit the Fort Marlborough, British Empire's second greatest fortress in Asia, and exile house of Soekarno, Indonesia's first president. You can also visit Bukit Kaba on the east or
just cross to Enggano Island, an unspoiled island in Indian Ocean with beautiful beaches.

Lampung
As the southernmost province of Sumatra, people enters Sumatra from Java through this province. Plan a trekking trip to Way Kambas National Park, the home of Sumatran elephants and rhinos, head to the west where you can find unspoiled beaches of Krui. On the south, the Kiluan Bay offers you dolphin sightseeing trip as well as hike the famous Mount Krakatau on Sunda Strait.

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