History of West Sumatra

HISTORY
Regions of West Sumatra in the past is part of the Kingdom Pagaruyung. In adminisitrasi Dutch East Indies colonial administration, the area was incorporated in the Gouvernement Sumatra's Westkust which also includes Tapanuli, then in 1905 became Residentie Tapanuli Tapanuli area besides Residentie Padangsche Benedenlanden and Residentie Padangsche Bovenlanden. Later in the year 1914, Gouvernement Sumatra's Westkust, demoted to Residentie Sumatra's Westkust and in 1935 was merged into the Kerinci region of Sumatra's Residentie Westkust.

During the Japanese occupation of Sumatra's Westkust Residentie renamed Nishi Kaigan Sumatora Bangkinang Shu and released into the area in Riau region Shu

At the beginning of the independence of Indonesia, West Sumatra region incorporated in the province, based in Medan, Sumatra. Sumatra Province was then divided into three, namely North Sumatra, Central Sumatra, and South Sumatra. West Sumatra is part of the prefecture in the province of Central Sumatra and Riau and Jambi.

Under the emergency law number 19 year 1957, Central Sumatra was then divided again into West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. Kerinci region which was previously incorporated in the South Coastal District Kerinci, resident of West Sumatra, Jambi provinces combined into a separate district. At the beginning of this new provincial capital of Bukittinggi, but later moved into the field.

GEOGRAPHIC
West Sumatra in the west central part of Sumatra island, has a low plateau on the west coast, as well as the volcanic plateau which formed the Bukit Barisan stretching from northwest to southeast. Entire shoreline of this province in touch with the Indian Ocean along 375 km. Mentawai Islands, located in the Indian Ocean and a few dozen miles off the coast of West Sumatra, including in this province.

West Sumatra has several lakes including Maninjau (99.5 km ²), Singkarak (130.1 km ²), Above (31.5 km ²), Under (Dibaruh) (14.0 km ²) and Talang (5.0 km ²).

Several large rivers on the island of Sumatra, tipped in the province, including the River Siak, Rokan River, River Inderagiri (referred to as the upper reaches of Batang Kuantan), Kampar and Batang Hari River. All of this river empties into the east coast of Sumatra, Riau and Jambi provinces. While the rivers that empties into the west coast a short distance. Some of them are Batang Anai, Batang Arau, and Trunk Tarusan.

The mountains in West Sumatra is Marapi (2891 m), Sago (2271 m), Singgalang (2877 m), Tandikat (2438 m), Talamau (2912 m), Talang (2572 m), Pasaman (2190 m), Grey (2179 m), violence (2039 m), Mande Rubiah (2430 m), Tambin (2271 m), Ambun (2060 m).

West Sumatra is one of the provinces in Indonesia's rich biodiversity resources. Most of the area is still a natural tropical forests and protected. Several endangered species can still be found, for example arnoldii Rafflesia (world's largest flower), Sumatran tigers, gibbons, tapirs, deer, bears and various species of birds and butterflies.

There are two National Parks in this province: Siberut National Park, located on the island of Siberut (Mentawai Islands) and the Kerinci Seblat National Park. The latest national parks this territory stretches across four provinces: West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu and South Sumatra.

Apart from the two National Park there are also several other nature reserves, namely Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve, Anai Valley Nature Reserve, Nature Reserve Trunk Palupuh, Harau Valley Nature Reserve, Nature Reserves and Parks Beringin Sakti Raya Bung Hatta.
Natural resources

Coal, iron ore, galena stone, lead, zinc, manganase, gold, limestone (cement), oil palm, cocoa, gambier, fishing.

POPULATION

ETNICH GROUPS
The main article for this section are: Minangkabau and Mentawai Tribe

The majority of tribal population is Minangkabau of West Sumatra. In areas other than Pasaman Minang tribe also dwelt tribes and tribal Batak Mandailing. Mentawai tribe located in the Mentawai Islands. In some cities in the West Sumatra town of Padang, there are mainly ethnic Tionghoa, Tamil and tribal Nias and in some areas of transmigration (Sitiung, Lunang Silaut, Kildare Gelugur, and others) there is also the Javanese.

LANGUAGE
The main article for this section are: Bahasa Minangkabau and Mentawai Language

The language used in everyday language is the language of the Minangkabau area which has several dialects, such as the dialect of Bukit tinggi, Pariaman dialects, dialect and the dialects of South Coastal Payakumbuh. In the area of West Pasaman and Pasaman bordering North Sumatra, the Batak language is also spoken and Bahasa Melayu Mandailing dialect. Meanwhile in the Mentawai Islands Mentawai language used.

RELIGION

The majority Muslim population of West Sumatra. There was also a Christian, especially in the Mentawai islands, as well as Hindus and Buddhists.