North Sumatra

North Sumatra is a province of Indonesia located in the northern part of the island of Sumatra. Its capital and largest city is Medan, situated on the east coast. The province borders Aceh to the northwest, Riau to the southeast, West Sumatra to the south, the Indian Ocean to the west, and the Strait of Malacca to the east, with a maritime border with Malaysia.

North Sumatra is very populous, with around 15.8 million people living there as of mid-2025. It is Indonesia's fourth most populous province and the most populous outside of Java Island. The province covers a large area of 72,437.755 square kilometres and is the third-largest on the island of Sumatra.

The region is home to many different ethnic groups, including the Malay people along the east coast, several Batak groups in the west and central highlands, and the Nias people from Nias Island. There are also communities of Chinese, Javanese, and Indian peoples whose ancestors came to Sumatra during Dutch rule.

One of the most famous features of North Sumatra is the Toba supervolcano, which created Lake Toba. This massive eruption happened around 74,000–75,000 years ago and was one of the largest in Earth's history.

History

Prehistoric era

Early people in North Sumatra were among the oldest groups on the island. They lived during a time called the Middle Stone Age. These people mostly ate snails and clams and left behind piles of shells, which can still be seen in some areas today.

Around 1000 BC, new groups of people arrived from mainland Southeast Asia. They lived along the rivers and coasts, fishing and farming. Later, people from Taiwan and the Philippines also arrived, bringing new ways of life.

Early historic era

The coast of North Sumatra became a place where traders from India and China visited often. They came for valuable items like camphor. By the 1300s, a kingdom called Aru was established on the coast. Farther inland, near Lake Toba, Batak people lived in their own kingdoms.

Kingdom, sultanate, and colonial era

Over time, many kingdoms formed along the coast and in the highlands. These kingdoms often fought among themselves, which made it easier for outside powers like Aceh and the Dutch to influence the area.

The Dutch began to take control in the 1800s, establishing plantations and bringing in workers from other parts of Indonesia and Asia. This changed the makeup of North Sumatra’s population.

Independence and contemporary era

After World War II, North Sumatra became part of the newly independent Indonesia. In 1950, it was officially formed as a province, combining several smaller regions. Since then, it has grown and developed as an important part of Indonesia.

Geography

North Sumatra is a province in Indonesia that covers part of the island of Sumatra. It is located between the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca, with an area of 72,437.755 km². It shares borders with Aceh to the northwest, and Riau and West Sumatra to the southeast.

The land in North Sumatra includes a wide, low plain along the coast where the capital city, Medan, is found. Further south and west, the ground rises into the Bukit Barisan mountains, which stretch along Sumatra. These mountains surround Lake Toba, a large lake formed from an ancient volcano. There are also many islands off the west coast, including Nias and the Batu Islands.

The area has active volcanoes, such as Mount Sinabung, and is home to important natural spaces like Gunung Leuser National Park and Batang Gadis National Park. Sadly, some forests face damage from illegal activities.

Governance

The capital of North Sumatra is Medan, and it is led by a governor. In the past, leaders managed all of Sumatra from 1945 to 1950, and then North Sumatra included Aceh until 1956, when Aceh became its own province.

Administrative divisions

North Sumatra is divided into 25 regencies and 8 cities. It started with fewer areas, but new ones were added over time. These areas are further split into smaller parts called districts and villages.

Nias Islands Region

This area includes the island of Nias and smaller islands nearby, like the Batu Islands. Over the years, new areas were created from older ones.

The region has many small islands around it.

Tapanuli Region

This part of North Sumatra is in the southwest and includes many smaller islands and parts near Lake Toba.

East Sumatra Region

This northeastern area of North Sumatra includes several regencies and cities, with new ones formed from older areas over time.

The region also has many small islands nearby.

National Electoral Districts

North Sumatra has three electoral districts that help choose representatives for the People's Representative Council. Each district picks 10 members, so North Sumatra sends 30 members in total.

• The North Sumatra I Electoral District includes parts of Deli Serdang and Serdang Bedagai, along with the cities of Medan and Tebingtinggi.
• The North Sumatra II Electoral District covers many regencies and cities in the region.
• The North Sumatra III Electoral District includes the remaining regencies and cities.

Demographics

See also: List of populated places in North Sumatra

Population

North Sumatra had a population of about 12 million in 2010, making it the fourth most populous area in Indonesia. By 2025, the population was estimated to be around 15.8 million, with almost equal numbers of men and women.

Migration

In early 2024, a group of 140 people, mostly women and children, arrived in Indonesia and were taken to North Sumatra. They were among several groups who had come to the area in recent months.

Ethnic groups

North Sumatra is home to many different ethnic groups. The main groups include:

1. Batak (44.8%)
2. Javanese (32.4%)
3. Nias (7.05%)
4. Malay (5.97%)
5. Others (9.82%)

The Batak people make up almost half of the population, living mainly around Lake Toba and the western coast. The Javanese are the second largest group. Other groups include the Nias, Malays, and many smaller communities.

Languages

Besides Indonesian, people in North Sumatra speak many different languages, including Batak languages around Lake Toba, Javanese, Malay, Minangkabau, and the Nias language.

Religion

North Sumatra has many different religions. The largest are Islam and Christianity. Smaller groups practice Buddhism, Hinduism, and other traditions.

• Azizi Mosque in Langkat
• HKBP or Batak Protestant church in Balige
• Maha Vihara Maitreya in Deli Serdang
• St Fransiskus Asisi Catholic church, Gunungsitoli
• Sri Mariamman Temple, Medan
• Shree Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Sikh Gurdwara, Binjai

Culture

North Sumatra is home to many different groups of people, each with their own traditions and ways of life. These include the Batak, Malay, and Nias peoples, as well as Chinese, Indian, and Javanese communities.

Music

Music in North Sumatra often uses drums and is played during special events like weddings or ceremonies. Different groups have their own instruments. For example, the Batak Toba, Pakpak, and Simalungun tribes play the Gondang, while the Mandailing and Angkola Batak tribes play the Gordang Sambilan. On the east coast, Malays play instruments like the accordion, Malay drum, and violin. In Tanah Karo, you can find the Kulcapi and Gendang instruments, often used with dances like Landek or Guro Guro Aron.

Architecture

Main article: Batak architecture

Traditional houses in North Sumatra are very beautiful and have special meanings. Batak houses often look like a buffalo standing up, with decorations including buffalo heads on the roof. The Batak Toba house, called Ruma Batak, is common around Lake Toba. The Batak Karo house is taller, with layered roofs made from palm fiber. Other groups also have their own unique house styles.

Dances

North Sumatra has many traditional dances. Some dances are part of ceremonies, while others are for fun. For example, the Tortor dance is performed at weddings. There are also dances for entertainment, like morah-morah and parakut, often done by young people at parties. Other dances come from different groups, such as the Serampang XII and Gundala-Gundala dances from the Malays, and Moyo and Maena dances from Nias.

Handicraft

Weaving is a popular craft in North Sumatra. The Batak people make beautiful cloths like ulos and songket. Ulos is used in special events, and its colors have special meanings. Other groups also weave special fabrics, such as the oles from the Pakpak tribe and uis from the Karo tribe. Songket from Batubara is famous for its unique designs and patterns.

Culinary

Main article: Batak cuisine

North Sumatra has a wide variety of foods. Batak cuisine often uses a special spice called andaliman, also known as Batak pepper. Popular dishes include Saksang and Babi panggang karo. In some areas, you can find spicy foods like Pelleng. Many Batak dishes use pork, but there are also options for different dietary preferences. The Malay cuisine in North Sumatra includes dishes like Nasi Gurih and Bubur pedas. Chinese and Indian influences have also added to the local food, with dishes like Cha Sio, Popia, and Martabak being popular.

Economy

North Sumatra has different parts that help make money for the area. Agriculture takes up about 21% of its work, making things like rubber, cocoa, tea, and coffee. Manufacturing and other industry work takes about 35% together. The rest, about 44%, comes from services like banking and tourism.

The place is rich in natural gifts such as gas and oil, which have been used since Dutch times. Rivers from mountains around Lake Toba could help make power, and there are hot spots in the mountains that might give heat and power some day.

North Sumatra is famous for its farms. It grows many things such as rubber, cocoa, tea, palm oil, coffee, cloves, coconut, cinnamon, and tobacco. It also grows vegetables and fruits like oranges, guavas, and carrots. These products are sent to many countries, helping Indonesia's money.

There are banks, big and small, all over the place. Some mines dig up gold and other valuable things. Factories are mostly around Medan, the main city.

The area has many places to visit. Lake Toba, a big volcanic lake, has an island inside it called Samosir Island. Bukit Lawang is where many orangutans live, and Nias Island is popular for surfing. Medan, the capital, has many old buildings and tasty foods to try.

Transportation

Airports

The modern Kualanamu International Airport opened on July 25, 2013. It is about 40 kilometres from Medan and is the fifth largest airport in Indonesia. It offers flights to many cities in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as to Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.

Other airports in North Sumatra include:

• Lasondre Airport in the Batu Islands
• Binaka Airport in Gunung Sitoli, Nias Island
• Aek Godang Airport in Padang Sidempuan, South Tapanuli Regency
• Sibisa Airport in Ajibata, Toba Samosir Regency
• Ferdinand Lumban Tobing Airport, also known as Pinangsori Airport, in Sibolga, Centra Tapanuli Regency
• Silangit Airport in Siborong-Borong

Seaports

North Sumatra has an international seaport at Belawan, near Medan. Work is underway to build a new seaport at Kuala Tanjung in Batubara Regency.

Road

North Sumatra has about 2,098 kilometres of state roads. Only about half of them are in good condition. There are also many provincial roads, but many need repair.

There is a 28 kilometre toll road called the Belmera Toll Road, the first in Medan, linking Belawan to Tanjung Morawa. Other toll roads being built include the 62 kilometre Medan–Kualanamu–Tebing Tinggi Toll Road and the 17 kilometre Medan–Binjai Toll Road. Plans are also in place for more toll roads connecting different cities.

Rail

The railway system in North Sumatra and Aceh is operated by Kereta Api Indonesia. Currently, trains run between Binjai and Medan, Medan and Pematangsiantar, Medan and Tanjung Balai, and Medan and Rantau Prapat. New railway lines are being built to Banda Aceh in Aceh and Pekanbaru in Riau. Medan also has an airport rail link called the Kualanamu Airport Rail Link, connecting the city to Kualanamu Airport.