Sumatra Island
Sumatra Island is a popular tourist destination, and everyone can find something to do here. The territory exceeds 470,000 square kilometers, and the population is more than 50,000,000 people. The climate is mild and humid, and a huge number of different plants, including unique ones, can be found in the jungle. The same can be said about the animal kingdom.
Attractions
Lake Toba is considered one of the main attractions of the Island of Sumatra. This is one of the largest lakes in the world, and there is an island on its surface. The history of the lake is connected with the strongest volcanic eruption that occurred more than 75 thousand years ago. In the settlements near the lake, people are engaged in agriculture, growing rice, spices and coffee. Fishing is another industry that feeds the local population. Tourists from all over the world come to admire the lake and its surrounding nature.
Samosir Island is located on the surface of Lake Toba. There is everything for a comfortable stay. You can sunbathe on the beaches, or you can go on a tour of the jungle and admire the monuments of ancient history and culture. There is an active volcano in Krakatoa between the Island of Sumatra and Java, and boat tours are regularly organized to it. During the tour, you can also explore the islands formed after the eruption in 1883.
What else can I visit
Gunung Leser National Park, Bukit Barisan Setalan Park and Kerinci Seblat are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are a huge number of representatives of the animal world in the parks. This place supports a population of unique Sumatran orangutans, as well as local tigers, Bengal cats, rhinoceroses, chamois, gibbons and many others in the park. The plant world is represented in great abundance, you can see the largest flower in the world - rafflesia and other species growing only here.
In the city of Banda Aceh, tourists can visit the Baiturrahman Rai Mosque, which is not only a religious, but also an important historical site. The construction of the mosque was started in 1022. Inside, it is decorated with marble, stained glass windows, and bronze chandeliers. It is noteworthy that during the strongest tsunami in 2004, the mosque building remained the only survivor in the entire area.
Northern part of Sumatra Island
Here is the city of Medan, which houses the Great Mosque, the building of which was built by order of Sultan Makmun al Rashid in 1906. The building is known for its large area and rich decoration. Many believers come here during religious holidays.
Everyone who has been to Sumatra knows that Indonesia has complete freedom of religion and treats people of all faiths with respect, so there are many different religious buildings here. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built along with the mosque in Medan. The construction was carried out for four years, it was completed in 2005. Inside, the church is decorated with statues and paintings depicting biblical subjects. There is a beautiful garden dedicated to Pope John Paul II in front of the main entrance. Visiting the Island of Sumatra is an opportunity to interact with the unique nature and touch the history and diverse culture of the Indonesian people.
