Geography of Sumatra

The Malay Archipelago's Greater Sunda Islands include the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which is the second-largest island in the group after Borneo. Sumatra was referred to in prehistoric times according to the Sanskrit names of Suwarnadwīpa ('Island of Gold') alongside Suwarnabhūmi ('Land of Gold'), owing to the gold deposits in the island's highlands. The Sunda Strait and the Strait of Malacca separate it from Java in the south and the Malay Peninsula in the northeast, respectively.

An extended continent running diagonally from northwest to southeast is Sumatra. Sumatra's northwest, west, and southwest shores are all bordered by the Indian Ocean, while the western coast is home to the Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, and Enggano island group.

Physical Features

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. With 475,807.63 km2, it is the sixth-biggest island in the world and the largest island that is entirely inside the borders of Indonesia. This includes neighbouring islands like Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Enggano, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, and the Krakatoa archipelago. The Sumatra region, home to 50,365,538 people, is made up of 10 provinces; for this learning exchange, we will travel to West Sumatra and Riau.

The island's longest axis, which crosses the equator in the centre, stretches roughly 1,790 kilometres from northwest to southeast. The island stretches 435 kilometres across at its widest point. Both the Bukit Barisan or Barisan Mountains, which run the length of the island in the west, and the swampy lowlands in the east are raphical zones.

The third-highest island in the Indonesian archipelago and the fifth-highest island in the entire world is Sumatra. The Barisan Mountain chain forms the spine of the island, with Mount Kerinci, an active volcano, rising to a height of 3,805 m (12,467 ft), almost midway down the range. In Bukit Barisan, there are 35 active volcanoes. The area has been blessed with lush land and stunning scenery because to volcanic activity. There are gold and coal deposits there as well. The "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific Ocean includes the volcanoes of Sumatra, which explains why Sumatra has had some of the most intense volcanic eruptions. The weather of Sumatra is hot and very humid, with the exception of the highlands.

Division

North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara), Jambi, Riau, West Sumatra (Sumatera Barat), South Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan), Bengkulu, and Lampung are the seven propinsi (or provinsi; provinces) that make up the island, together with the independent Aceh province. Medan, Palembang, and Padang are the three main cities. The majority of the population lives in rural areas, with Medan in northeastern Sumatra having the highest population density. There is a sizable Javanese population in the southern areas, especially in the province of Lampung. This is partly due to 20th-century transmigration schemes meant to relieve Java's overcrowding. But after the 1990s, transmigration slowed down significantly.

Vegetation

Monster flowers (Rafflesia arnoldii), myrtles, bamboo, rhododendrons, orchids, and various trees, including the Sumatran pine (Pinus merkusii), palm, oak, chestnut, ebony, camphorwood, sandalwood, and species that produce rubber, are all examples of the vegetation. Orangutans, different apes, elephants, tapirs, tigers, the two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros, gibbons, tree shrews, flying lemurs, wild boars, and civets are among the island's animal inhabitants. Mount Leuser, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan Selatan, three national parks on the island, were collectively named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.

Rubber, tobacco, tea, coffee, palm oil, ramie fibre, sisal, copra, betel nuts, kapok, peanuts (groundnuts), and pepper are examples of agricultural products grown for export. North Sumatra's highlands are where vegetables are grown for export. Rice, vegetables, root crops, and corn (maize) are examples of subsistence agriculture. Sumatran forests, which also produce a variety of oils and fibres, provide a significant amount of Indonesia's timber.

Resources

Petroleum, natural gas, tin, bauxite, coal, gold, silver, and other mineral reserves can be found on Sumatra and the nearby islands. The Ombilin coalfield, located in the western region, and Bukit Asam, located in the south, are both significant coalfields. Some of Indonesia's most productive oil wells are in the Riau province's Dumai region; other regions have been developed in Palembang and Pangkalan Brandan in the north.

Flora and Fauna

Many different species can be found on the island, including the Sumatran Pine, the largest flower in the world, the Titan arum, the tallest flower in the world, the Sumatran Tiger, the Orangutan, the Sumatran Rhinoceros, the Sumatran Elephant, the Malayan Tapir, the Malayan Sun Bear, the Clouded Leopard, and other birds and butterflies. The growth of palm oil plantations and the pulp and paper industries are the two main threats to the Sumatran Forest.

More than 10 national parks can be found on the island, three of which—Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park—are included in the list of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra World Heritage Site.

Conclusion

The sixth-largest island in the world, Sumatra is an Indonesian treasure located in the Malay Archipelago. Sumatra has a magnificent scenery with a variety of physical features like mountains, volcanoes, and fertile lowlands. Rich resources on the island, including mineral deposits and agricultural goods like rubber and coffee, have a considerable economic impact on Indonesia. Environmental problems, like as logging for the palm oil and paper industries, jeopardize the region's distinctive flora and wildlife, including the fabled Sumatran Tiger and Orangutan.

However, the island faces obstacles resulting from forest destruction, especially among the cultivation of palm oil and its pulp and paper industries, which compromise its unique wildlife as well as ecosystems. The existence of places like Gunung Leuser National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which are included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highlights the necessity of conservation efforts. Sumatra is a region of enormous ecological significance because of its active volcanoes, lush forests, and wealth of natural resources.

A variety of flora and animals, some of which are indigenous and endangered, may be found on the island thanks to its physical features, which include the Barisan Mountains and the coastal lowlands. Sumatra is a vital element of Indonesia's identity and a popular tourism destination due to its natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sumatra?

Sumatra is the sixth-largest island in the world, belonging to Indonesia.

What separates Sumatra from Java and the Malay Peninsula?

The Sunda Strait separates Sumatra from Java, and the Strait of Malacca separates it from the Malay Peninsula.

What are the main physical features of Sumatra?

Sumatra has mountains, including Mount Kerinci, active volcanoes, and lush lowlands.

How many provinces are there on Sumatra?

Sumatra is divided into ten provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

What is the major threat to Sumatra's forests?

The growth of palm oil plantations and the pulp and paper industries pose a threat to Sumatra's forests.

What are some unique flora and fauna on Sumatra?

Sumatra is home to the Sumatran Tiger, Orangutan, Titan arum (tallest flower), and the Sumatran Pine (largest flower).

How many national parks are there on Sumatra?

Sumatra has over 10 national parks, including Gunung Leuser, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan Selatan.

What is the significance of Sumatra's resources?

Sumatra has mineral reserves, coalfields, and agricultural products like rubber and coffee that contribute to Indonesia's economy.

What are the major cities on Sumatra?

The major cities on Sumatra include Medan, Palembang, Padang, and Bandar Lampung.

What are the major industries in Sumatra?

Sumatra's major industries include petroleum, natural gas, coal mining, palm oil production, rubber, tea, and coffee.

Are there any UNESCO World Heritage sites on Sumatra?

Yes, three national parks on Sumatra—Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park—are collectively recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

How does Sumatra contribute to Indonesia's timber industry?

Sumatra provides a significant amount of Indonesia's timber, along with various oils and fibres derived from its forests.

What are the major agricultural products of Sumatra?

Sumatra is known for producing agricultural products like rubber, tobacco, tea, coffee, palm oil, and rice.