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Lampung

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Lampung is a province located in Indonesia. It sits on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra. The province covers a land area of 33,570.26 square kilometers. This is a size similar to the nation of Moldova. To the east, the province meets the Java Sea. To the southeast, it borders the Sunda Strait. It shares a short border with Bengkulu to the northwest. It also shares a long border with South Sumatra to the north.

Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Lampung, 2001-2024
Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Lampung, 2001-2024

The geography of Lampung varies greatly between the east and west. The western part of the region is mostly hilly. In contrast, the eastern part consists of lowland areas. These lowlands are often swampy and are used for agriculture. The longest river in the province is the Way Sekampung. There are also 172 named islands that belong to the province. Many of these islands, such as Legundi and Tabuan, sit in the Bay of Lampung. Pisang Island is located near the Regency of West Lampung.

Uprising-mt anak krakatau
Uprising-mt anak krakatau

Volcanic activity has shaped the history and landscape of the region. The volcanic caldera of Krakatoa is located in the Sunda Strait near Lampung. In 1883, Krakatoa erupted with extreme violence. This eruption lasted from May 20 until October 21. It caused landslides and produced high waves in coastal Lampung. The event had disastrous consequences for the area. It even caused worldwide weather and temperature effects for several years. Mount Pesagi is the highest mountain in the province. It is located in West Lampung.

The history of Lampung stretches back many centuries. In the late 7th century, it was part of the Buddhist Srivijaya empire. Stone inscriptions from around 680 CE were found in Palas Pasemah and Bungkuk. These findings suggest Srivijaya had coastal settlements near the Sekampung River. Later, the Majapahit kingdom also had a presence in the area. During the colonial era, Lampung was famous for pepper production. In the 1930s, the region accounted for 30% of the world's pepper. Different powers, including the Banten Sultanate and the Dutch, competed for this trade. The Dutch annexed the area in 1752.

The population of Lampung has changed significantly over time. In 1845, the population was only 104,200 people. Most lived in small towns near the coasts or rivers. Starting in 1905, the Dutch began transmigration programs. These programs moved people from Java to Lampung to find available land. This process continued after Indonesian independence in the 1960s. As a result, the indigenous Lampung people became a minority. By the mid-1980s, they made up less than 15% of the population. Today, three-quarters of the people are descendants of Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese migrants.

Modern Lampung is a growing and busy province. The population continues to rise by over 100,000 people every year. The 2010 census recorded 7,608,405 people. By 2020, the population reached 9,007,848. Official estimates for mid-2024 place the population at 9,419,580. The capital city is Bandar Lampung. The province is divided into many administrative parts. These include thirteen regencies and two autonomous cities, Bandar Lampung and Metro.

Tari Melinting 4
Tari Melinting 4

The Lampung people possess a distinct and rich culture. They speak their own language and use a unique written script. This heritage is visible in their traditional clothing.

Kostum tradisional lampung
Kostum tradisional lampung
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een echtpaar uit Lampung (Sumatra) in adatkostuum TMnr 10002793
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een echtpaar uit Lampung (Sumatra) in adatkostuum TMnr 10002793

The province also produces important agricultural goods. For example, it is a source of Robusta coffee beans.

Coffee beans robusta
Coffee beans robusta

This mix of ancient history and modern migration makes Lampung a unique part of Indonesia.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Uprising-mt anak krakatau.jpg
Uprising-mt anak krakatau.jpg
File:Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year in Lampung, 2001-2024.png
Global Forest Change tree-cover loss year...
File:Coffee beans robusta.jpg
Coffee beans robusta.jpg
File:Kostum tradisional lampung.jpg
Kostum tradisional lampung.jpg
File:Tari Melinting 4.jpg
Tari Melinting 4.jpg
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een echtpaar uit Lampung (Sumatra) in adatkostuum TMnr 10002793.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Een echtpaar uit...
File:Desa Adi jaya SEKOLAH MASJID.jpg
Desa Adi jaya SEKOLAH MASJID.jpg
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