Sumatra

Sumatra (also spelled Sumatara and Sumatera) is the sixth largest island of the world (approximately 470,000 km²) and is the largest part of Indonesia.

Demographics

Sumatra is not very heavily populated, about 85 people per sq.km (with more than 40 million people in an area the size of Germany). The most populous regions includes most of Sumatra Utara and central highland in Sumatra Barat, while the major urban centre are Medan and Palembang.

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The people are of Malay stock composed of many different tribes, speaking 52 different languages. Most of these groups, however, share many similar traditions and the different tongues are closely related. Malay-speaking people dominate the eastern coast, while people in the southern and central interior speak languages related to Malay, such as Lampung and Minangkabau. The highland of northern Sumatra is inhabited by the Bataks, while the northernmost coast is dominated by Acehs. Ethnic Chinese minorities are also present in urban centers.

Related Topics:
Malay - Minangkabau - Bataks - Acehs - Chinese

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A majority of people in Sumatra are Muslims. Most central Bataks, meanwhile, are Protestant Christians - the religion was spread by the Dutch. The rest follow Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Chinese traditional beliefs.

Related Topics:
Muslims - Protestant - Christians - Hinduism - Buddhism - Catholicism

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