North Sumatra, with its provincial capital Medan, is Indonesia’s most populous province outside of Java. It stretches from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malacca in the east, and from Aceh in the north to the West Sumatra in the south. Its population is colourful and ethnically mixed. Its tourism, based on the scenic beauties of Lake Toba and the Karo Higlands, is next only to Bali and Yogyakarta.

The ecological zone is thick with virgin rainforest, jungle-covered hills, terrace rice field, mountain, rivers, beautiful waterfalls, volcanic lakes and peaceful white beaches. There are two major ecological zones in the province – a fertile, swamp- fringed eastern plain largely given over to plantations, and a central volcanic core – the Bukit Barisan – formed 70 million years ago by tectonic movements. There is in addition a narrow coastal plain to the west, and a chain of sparsely-inhabited islands lying 125 km off the western coast, of which Nias is the best known.

The people of the region can be divided into five main ethnic groups: The coastal Malays, living along the Malaka Straits, the Bataks, consisting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, the Pesisirs along the Indian Ocean coast, the Mandailing of the southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs, arts, custom and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other parts of the archipelago are represented, notably the Acehnese, Minangkabau and Javanese.

The diversity of arts and cultures make this region a treasure chest for social scientists and cultures seekers. Ancient carved-stone graves of Batak kings, the meghalitics culture of Nias, unique dances, ceremonies, arts and crafts are just waiting for you to discover. North Sumatra is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna. And of course the jewel of North Sumatra, Lake Toba, the legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia.