Sumatras

Sumatras is a term that may be used to refer to the inhabitants of Sumatra, the large island in western Indonesia, or to things associated with the island. The standard demonym in English is Sumatran, and the plural forms typically used are Sumatran people or Sumatrans; the form Sumatrans is common, while Sumatras appears in some historical or translational contexts but is not widely used in contemporary English.

Geography and population: The island is the sixth-largest in the world, covering about 473,000 square kilometers. It lies in the western part of Indonesia, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Andaman Sea to the northeast; the Sunda Strait to the south separates it from Java. Its western spine contains numerous volcanoes and highland areas. Major cities include Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Palembang, and Bandar Lampung. Administrative divisions comprise the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, and Lampung. The population runs into tens of millions, with substantial ethnic and linguistic diversity.

People, culture, and language: Sumatra is home to a wide array of ethnic groups, including the Acehnese, Batak, Minangkabau, Melayu, and Lampung, each with distinct traditions. Languages spoken range from Indonesian and Acehnese to various Batak languages, Minangkabau, and other regional tongues. The cultural landscape includes Islam-influenced customary law in Aceh and matrilineal traditions among the Minangkabau.

Economy and environment: The island has a resource-based economy encompassing agriculture (notably rubber, palm oil, and coffee), mining, and forestry. Deforestation and habitat loss pose conservation challenges. Notable protected areas such as Gunung Leuser and Kerinci Seblat National Parks shelter orangutans, tigers, and elephants; Lake Toba is a major geographic feature.

History: Historically, Sumatra was the center of Srivijaya, a powerful maritime empire from the 7th to 13th centuries. It later became part of the Dutch East Indies and, after a colonial era, part of modern Indonesia.