North Of Sumatera

North Sumatera Province

 North Sumatra Province located at 1 ° - 4 ° north latitude and 98 ° - 100 ° east longitude, land area of ​​North Sumatra 71,680 km ².
North Sumatra can basically be divided into:
• East Coast
• Bukit Barisan Mountains
• West Coast
• Nias Island

The east coast is a region in the province due to the rapid development of infrastructure requirements are relatively more complete than other areas. Eastern coastal region is also a region of relatively dense concentrations of population than other areas. In the Netherlands Indies colonial period, the region include Residentie Sumatra's Riau province Oostkust together.
In the central region of the province lined Bukit Barisan Mountains. In the mountains there are some areas of the pockets of population concentration. The area around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, a heavily populated area of ​​the lake is dependent.
West coast is an area that is quite narrow, with the composition of the population consisting of the Batak, Minangkabau and Aceh. But culturally and etnolinguistik, this region into the Minangkabau culture and language.

Medan Is capital city of North Sumatera, Medan is one of some big capital in Indonesia. Become the seat of government in North Sumatra, Medan is also at the center of the economy. Medan had a big port named Belawan. Belawan is a major port in Sumatera, located in Malacca Strait makes this port in to international trade route. Belawan became an Important port for rubber trade, oil and gas, as well as several food commodities for some country.

Besides Medan had two International Airport, the old Airport named Polonia, located very close from central of capital (is about 2 kilometers) makes some urban development is hampered. In 2006 Indonesia Government build a new International Airport to succeed Polonia Airport, it named Kuala Namu International Airport. Located in the district Deli Serdang, this airport planned to be operational in the next 2013.

North Sumatra is rich in natural resources such as natural gas in the area Tandam, Binjai and petroleum in Pangkalan Brandan, Langkat district has been explored since the days of the Dutch East Indies.
The rivers that disgorge in the mountains around Lake Toba is also a considerable resource potential to be a resource to be exploited hydropower.  Asahan hydropower which is the largest hydropower plant in Sumatra contained in Toba Samosir regency.
In addition, in the mountains there are many geothermal hot spots that are very likely to be developed as a source of heat or steam energy which can then be transformed into electrical energy.

North Sumatra produce rubber, in 2002 the total area of ​​rubber plantations in Sumatra 489,491 hectares with production of 443,743 tons. While in 2005, the area under rubber decreased or stayed 477,000 hectares with production also dropped to only 392,000 tons. North Sumatra is also produce cocoa, tea, palm oil, coffee, cloves, coconut, cinnamon, and tobacco. Plantations are spread in Deli Serdang, Langkat, Simalungun, Asahan, Labuhanbatu, and South Tapanuli. These commodities have been exported to many foreign countries and contributed greatly to Indonesia. In addition to commodity plantation in North Sumatra is also known as a producer of horticultural commodities (vegetables and fruits); eg Orange Medan, Deli Cashew, Vegetable Cabbage, Tomato, Potato and Carrot generated by Karo, Simalungun and North Tapanuli. Horticultural products have been exported to Malaysia and Singapore.

In Indonesia, people from North Sumatra are known with a good voice. there are a lot of singer and songwriter who comes from this area. In addition, they are known as hard workers with utmost dedication. that's why people from this area is very much a successful lawyer and partly into the famous politicians. Many of them are not willing to return home for years before considered himself successful, but in doing so they do not forget their customs and original language due to long overseas.

Architecture
In the field of art that stands out is the architecture which is a blend of traditional houses from the sculpture and carving crafts and artworks. Architecture of traditional houses found in various forms ornamen. Generally form in the custom home building custom batak symbolize "standing buffalo". It is clearer to decorate the top of a roof with a buffalo head.

The traditional house of Batak ethnicity, Ruma Batak, standing tall and stately, and still mostly found in Samosir.

Karo custom home looks great and is higher than other traditional house. The roof is made of palm fiber and is usually coupled with the roofs of the smaller triangular-called "come on, come on home" and "tersek". With soaring roof layers Karo's house has a typical shape compared with other traditional houses that have only one layer of roofing in North Sumatra. Forms of custom homes in the area Simalungun quite alluring.

Complex custom homes in the village Purba Pematang consists of several buildings that house Bolon, Bolon hall, drying, abstinence hall needs, and dimples. Mandailing distinctive building that stands out is called "Bagas Tower" (house Namora Natoras) and "Sopo Godang" (hall customary deliberation).
Custom home on the west coast looks more majestic and more beautiful than the other custom homes. The traditional house is still standing in the National House lawn Sibolga.

There are so many interesting places and things in North Sumatera, some of them are :

1.       Toba Lake.

Formed from super volcano eruption at 73000 – 75000 years ago, with a puff of volcanic ash up to 10 km above sea level. After the water-filled caldera is formed Toba Lake, Pressure upward by magma that has not come out cause the emergence of Samosir Island. We will also find a lot of fish farms with kerambah system (floating nets}, it makes Toba lake is the largest freshwater fish supplier. Lake Toba is very famous as a tourist attraction because of its beautiful and the crystal clear bluish water lake. Many  people  visit  there, especially with the annual event called “ Pesta Danau Toba” ( Toba Lake Party ). Feast of Lake Toba is usually filled with the typical Batak dance performances, paddle boat races, fairs crafts and others. The aim is to introduce the Toba Lake and its culture around them to the outside world. Usually “ Pesta Danau Toba “ held in conjunction with the school holiday period.

2.       Samosir Island.

Samosir is the name of island whic located in center of Toba Lake. That’s makes Samosir island is also the target of the tourists who visit the Lake Toba. Known as the land of ancestral / homeland of Batak ethnic,  the Samosir island very interested in a lot of tourists. And takes about 45 minutes by ferry, we arrived at Samosir. On this island we find indigenous cultures such as the Batak traditional houses, grave stones (Sarcophagus) and stone sculpture created. If you are lucky you will meet Samosir Art Festival, Samosir Art Festival which contains cultural events such as exhibitions and cultural activities such as the arts of traditional martial arts named Mossak Batak , Dance Cup appearance and traditional Batak dances others, Batak traditional opera performance at the opening night, booths workshops displays of traditional crafts such as creating and training Ulos Batak traditional pottery-making by the people Samosir.
In addition there was also a drawing competition for children, learn to write and read the script Batak and kite competitions followed by some countries at the White Sand Beach, Parbaba. Performing a variety of traditional Batak traditional games, such as Marsungkil, Margala, Marsiada, puppet shows "Si Gale-Gale" which is very famous for doing dances are wooden dolls made mechanically with traditional technologies. This event is very nuanced education for the younger generation in particular those from the land of Batak.

3.       Bukit Lawang / Lawang Hill.

If you are visiting Medan, North Sumatra, could took a visit to Bukit Lawang. Distance from the field about 96 kilometers northwest of Medan, with public or private vehicles can be taken 2 to 2.5 hours. During the journey will look palm oil plantations, as well as several rivers that become the source of life of local people.

Since orangutans used as a conservation area, especially for rehabilitation, the area is known for the foreign tourists as the natural attractions of tropical forests. The beauty of Bukit Lawang is inseparable from his position as part of the Gunung LeuserNational Park (TNGL). As a national park, the condition is maintained. The concept of ecotourism to be the main thing here.

Besides a trip to the woods to see the natural beauty and variety of wildlife there, visitors also play the stream. To be able to see the orangutan rehab, visitors must walk about a half hour from the inn. Must pass at least two suspension bridges and passing through about eight meters wide river with a small boat.

4.       Gunung Sibayak/ Sibayak Mountain.

Sibayak mountain located high lowland Karo with altitude 2094 m above sea level. included in the “Bukit Barisan”  mountain ecosystems , Sibayak mountain has an incredible exotic beauty.

The mountain is not so difficult to climb even by a novice though.  The mountain is always crowded by local hikers at night week. They usually start climbing at around 2:00 am to get a view of the sunrise at the top of this mountain.

From the top of this mountain, we can see the view of the city of Medan in the distance.
To achieve this mountain we can climb out of the two places, namely, from the village of King Berneh (Spirit Mountain) and from the city Brastagi. Both can be reached by public transport from the city of Medan. From the beginning of the ascent Brastagi trail located behind a Gundaling hill. However, the fastest ascent was from the village of King Berneh located about 7 km from Medan highway - Brastagi. Passing the hot water bath Lau Sidebuk-debuk. The state of the village is very heterogeneous in religion, with synagogues, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim side by side.
King 's Village Berneh dam produces vegetables fruits. Right at the foot of the mountain met a hot spring area which is also the entrance to the path to the summit.

5.       Carp Goldfish Arsik.

Carp arsik is a typical meal special Tapanuli northern Sumatra. This food is made from carp, which has been flavored arsik consisting of turmeric, ginger, galangal, chilli, onion, garlic, nutmeg, andaliman and sour. Andaliman is typical of Asian spices that come from the outer skin of fruit plants some clan members Zanthoxylum (tribal orange, Rutaceae). Seasoning is only known in Indonesia for Batak cuisine, so it is known outside the region as " Batak pepper ". Batak specialties like arsik and saksang require andaliman as an irreplaceable flavor. Andaliman has a soft citrus scent but "bite" causing a numb sensation or numbness in the tongue, though not sepedas chilli or pepper. Taste is in the tongue-tied due to the content of hydroxy-alpha-sanshool on these herbs. In addition to the Batak cuisine, andaliman use as seasoning well known in East Asian cuisine and South Asia.

Then the fish is cooked with water without any oil until the flavors mingle and cooked + - 1 hour and then added Batak onions and beans. The cuisine is a mandatory menu every household Batak people either still living at home and that has been migrated. Even new Batak woman thumbs up as a champion cook if food is tasty and worth her Arsik served to the guest.

6.       Rattan Pakat.

As the name implies this food is made ​​from rattan but not just any wicker, rattan only the young that are in use. Young cane is burned on a stove around for 1 hour and after the cane certainly ripe, peeled and take part in a white cane. Then the meat is cut cane - cut according to taste (usually About a 5 cm) and usually to add to the enjoyment, young rattan spiked with serundeng coconut or also with balacan sauce. The food can only be found during the month of Ramadhan.

Breaking the fast with rattan pakat menu has become a tradition for residents Tapanuli. When the month of Ramadhan, as now we can easily find sellers who peddle pakat Tapanuli wicker, rattan and even agrees it also can be found in Medan but at a price that is more expensive because the materials remain rattan agrees to come from Tapanuli.

7.       Tea with Egg and Milk.

This drink is made ​​using egg yolk mixed with sweetened condensed milk and a little sugar, and then the mixture was shaken until pale and brewed the tea liquid is still boiling. This drink is very popular in Medan even to the West of Sumatera, this drink is suitable when the weather is cold. Cafe selling drinks is located around the Puri Street, Medan.

8.       Durians Compote.

Have you ever tasted durian? Fruit aromas and flavors with a very strong, making it very popular fruit. But what if the durian is presented with another form?

for example, the compote, if you've ever tried?

This dessert can only be found in the field, and not in an expensive restaurant, but at a roadside cafe.
Actually compote durian here is almost the same with ice or ice cold compote ahead of other popular types. However, due to its main ingredient durian looks so unique. Especially when enjoyed in the cold, the sensation would feel different.

To complete this durian compote, Rizal mixing sticky rice, brown sugar and coconut milk as the liquid. While the others stayed mixed variant bananas, avocados, green beans or pancake dependent buyer's choice.

And because of the uniqueness of that, many are tempted to try. Moreover, the price is quite affordable Rp.5000 per serving. "I wonder how the hell it feels this durian ice compote. Because I think this diet is still rare for sale in Medan, maybe even only sold here, "said the seller.