Pematangsiantar


Pematangsiantar, is an independent city in North Sumatra, Indonesia, surrounded by, but not part of, the Simalungun Regency, making Pematangsiantar an enclave within Simalungun Regency. Pematangsiantar formerly had the status of a second level district and was the administrative centre of the surrounding Regency, but it has recently been elevated to Kota and separated from the Regency.
Its population was 229,525 in the 2005 Census, 234,698 in the 2010 Census, and 247,219 in the 2015 Intermediate Census, while the latest official estimate is 253,500, making it the second largest city in the province after the provincial capital of Medan.

Administrative divisions

The city is divided administratively into eight districts, tabulated below with their areas and 2010 Census populations:
NameAreea in
sq.km
Population
Census 2010
Siantar Selatan
2.1617,101
Siantar Barat
3.3534,984
Siantar Utara
4.0646,423
Siantar Timur
4.1538,454
Siantar Marihat7.7017,872
Siantar Marimbun16.3614,642
Siantar Martoba16.3938,368
Siantar Sitalasari22.7226,854

History

Before 1907, Pematangsiantar was a Kingdom led by the Damanik. Damanik is one of the clans of the Simalungun ethnic group of the Batak people. The last king of the dynasty was Tuan Sangnawaluh Damanik. In 1907, the Dutch took control, turning Pematangsiantar into their colony. The city remained under Dutch control until 1942 when the Japanese invaded and ruled over Indonesia.
After Indonesia proclaimed its freedom in 1945, Pematangsiantar was granted autonomous status. In 1974, Pematangsiantar became a second level district, and was appointed as the capital of Simalungun Regency.

Demographics

and Javanese are the major ethnic groups in Pematangsiantar, with sizeable native Simalungun, Mandailing, Chinese, Minangkabau and Karo.
The majority of Pematangsiantar's inhabitants are Christian and Muslim. Around 4.36% percent are Buddhists, and there are smaller numbers of Hindus and followers of Confucianism.

Transport and travel

Pematangsiantar is 50 kilometres from Lake Toba on the Trans-Sumatran Highway. Lake Toba is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, and a major tourism destination. It is common to see tourists stopping over in Pt. Siantar. Siantar is famous for Batak culture, 'Batik' and 'Ulos' fabric, and Batak foods. There is a zoo worth visiting that is aptly named Taman Hewan
Pematangsiantar - animal garden of
Pematangsiantar.
It has a good collection of Indonesian native
animals, most notably birds, tigers and apes.
The zoo itself boasts abundant tropical trees
and plants, some of which are quite old. The
location is close to the main roads
of the city.
Ticket price is 7,000 IDR.
Another place of interest in the city is
Vihara Avalokitesvara - a Buddhist Temple
housing the Statue of Kwan Im. At
22.8 meter high, is the tallest statue of its
kind in Indonesia. The temple complex is
accessible from Jl. Pane. It is part of a new
temple complex. Adjacent to the new complex and connected by a bridge across the
river of Bah Bolon, the old building of the
temple was burned completely in an inferno
in May, 2008.
Pematangsiantar can also be reached from Medan by train. There are also large buses which connect Siantar to Medan 130 kilometres away, about a 3-hour trip.

Cuisine

Most of Pematangsiantar's food styles are inherited from Batak and Chinese traditional food. Foods such as saksang and roasted pork, or drinks like tuak prepared by the Batak people are very popular.
Chinese restaurants can also be found across the city. One of the very popular local delicacies inherited from Chinese food is "Mie Pangsit". Minangkabau cuisine is also quite popular, especially Nasi Padang and Sate Padang.