West Sumatra

Provincial origin of the Clock Tower

Data and Statistics


Clock Tower. Photo: bukittinggikota

West Sumatra Province in the central western part of Sumatra Island. Having plains on the west coast and the volcanic highlands formed Barisan which stretches from northwest to southeast. Mentawai Islands, located in the Indian Ocean included in this province. West Sumatra coastline all contact with the Indian Ocean along 375 km.

West Sumatra in the past is the essence of the Kingdom of Pagarruyung. In adminisitrasi colonial Dutch East Indies, the region incorporated in the Gouvernement Sumatra's Westkust which includes Tapanuli area. Since 1906 the region became separated Tapanuli Residentie Tapanuli. While Kerinci area later incorporated into Sumatra's Westkust.

At the beginning of the independence of Indonesia, West Sumatra province joined in the center of Sumatra in Medan. Sumatra province and then split into three, namely North Sumatra, Central Sumatra, and South Sumatra. West Sumatra is a resident in the province of Central Sumatra and Riau and Jambi residency.

The language used in everyday life which is the Minangkabau language has several dialects, such as the dialect of Bukittinggi, Pariaman dialects, dialect and the dialects of South Coastal Payakumbuh. Pasaman areas bordering North Sumatra, the Batak languages are also spoken dialect Mandailing, which is usually used Mandailing Batak tribe. Meanwhile, in the form of the Mentawai islands and is located several hundred kilometers off the coast of West Sumatra, the language used is language Mentawai.

Coordinates U-0 ° 102 ° S 98 ° -102 ° E
The capital of Padang
Size 42,297.30 km ²
Population 4,697,764 (2007)
Density 104/km ²
District 12
Municipality / City 7
Sub 147
Kelurahan / Village 877
Interest Minangkabau, Batak Mandailing, Mentawai, Nias tribe, Javanese
Religion Islam (98%), Christians (1.6%), Hindu (0.0032%), Buddhists (0.26%)
Minangkabau Language, Bahasa Melayu / Indonesian
Time zone WIB
Chicken Folk Den Lapeh, Nan Kampuang in Mato Jauah, Kambanglah Bungo, Minangkabau, Bareh Solok, Tinggalah Kampuang.