Sumatra

Sumatra is one of the largest islands in the world and is part of Indonesia. It has thick tropical rainforests, powerful volcanoes, and rare wildlife. Sumatra is home to tigers, orangutans, rhinoceroses, and elephants. The island sits along the Ring of Fire and has many active volcanoes.

Land and People

About 59 million people live on Sumatra. The island is about 1,100 miles long. Lake Toba, formed inside an ancient supervolcano, is the largest volcanic lake in the world. The Barisan Mountains run down the western side of the island.

Culture and Fun Facts

Sumatra is the only place on Earth where tigers, orangutans, elephants, and rhinoceroses all live together in the wild. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest tiger species. Coffee from Sumatra is famous around the world for its strong, rich flavor. The Minangkabau people of Sumatra have a unique culture where families trace their heritage through the mother's side.

Fun Facts

• Sumatra is the only place where tigers, orangutans, elephants, and rhinoceroses all share the same forest.
• Lake Toba was formed by a massive supervolcano eruption about 74,000 years ago.
• Sumatran coffee is one of the most popular and expensive coffees in the world.

Did You Know?

About 74,000 years ago, a supervolcano at Lake Toba in Sumatra had one of the largest eruptions in Earth's history. The eruption was so big that it may have caused a global cooling period lasting years.