The people of North Sumatra are be divided into five main ethnic groups and languages: 1) The Malays, 2) the Bataks, 3) the Angkola, 4) Mandailing and 5) the Nias Islanders, These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs, arts, custom and cultures. The people of North Sumatra have a reputation for being warm and hospitable. People of North SumatraĪbout 13 million people live in North Sumatra. A glass of marquisa syrup will quench your thirst, and it can be consumed hot or cold. At markets like Berastagi, sample the exotic fruits. You can easily find those in certain restaurants, just ask around.

Unusual dishes have ingredients like dog, congealed blood and pig and marijuana. Most of these dishes are influenced by Malay, Chinese and Indian culture. In Medan and other places try local dishes like Chicken Rice, and Medan Kweetiaow. Sumatran food is known for being spicy and North Sumatra conforms to this norm. Among the ancient cultural sites which can be seen are the tombs of the Batak Toba kings, located on Samosir island, and famous stone tables of the Siallagan chiefs. The province is rich in oil and natural gas and also produce large amounts of palm oil, rubber and tea, The Medan area is known for it fine tobaccos. The jungle of Bukit Lawang is a famous orangutan viewing area. Animals like deer, flying foxes and wild pigs are more common. In the lush rain forests if one looks hard enough one can find giant butterflies, enormous stinking flowers, orangutans, elephants and elusive tigers and rhinoceros and maybe even a Big-Foot-like creature (the Orang Pendek). There are many waterfalls, streams, rivers and superb surfing waves. Volcanoes like still smouldering Mt Sibayak dominate the landscape In between the peaks are several lakes, the most famous of which is Lake Toba, the biggest lake in Southeast Asia formed around 75,000 years ago in most catastrophic volcanic eruptions known. The Bukit Barisan mountains are a string of volcanos. North Sumatra is rich wildlife and scenery and is the primary destination of travelers visiting Sumatra.

Medan sumatra