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South Sumatra

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South Sumatra is a large province in Indonesia.

South Sumatra in Indonesia
South Sumatra in Indonesia

It sits in the southeast part of Sumatra island. This province is the largest one on the island. It is near Jambi to the north and Bengkulu to the west. Lampung is to the south. To the east, the Bangka Strait separates the land from the Bangka Belitung Islands.

Srivijayan Expansion
Srivijayan Expansion

The capital city is Palembang. It is also the largest city in the province.

The land here is very rich in natural resources. People find petroleum, natural gas, and coal in the ground. Many different groups of people live in South Sumatra. The largest group is the Palembangese. Other groups include the Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, and Chinese.

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De rivier de Musi bij Palembang TMnr 5426-8
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM De rivier de Musi bij Palembang TMnr 5426-8

Most people live in busy urban areas. Many are immigrants from other parts of Indonesia. Most people speak the Palembang language. This language is easy to understand for both Indonesian and local Malay speakers.

Humans have lived in this area for a very long time.

Buddha Seguntang Palembang
Buddha Seguntang Palembang

Evidence shows people settled here during the Palaeolithic era. Scientists found old tools in the Saling and Kikim rivers. They also found seventy-eight skeletons in Harimau Cave. These bones are between 3,000 and 14,000 years old.

Talang Tuo Inscription
Talang Tuo Inscription

Near a coffee plantation, people found seven stone chambers. These chambers are about 2,500 years old.

A famous ancient kingdom called Srivijaya started near Palembang.

Srivijayan Expansion
Srivijayan Expansion

It began around the 7th century AD. This kingdom was a great maritime power. This means it was very strong on the sea. It became a major center for trade. The empire controlled many important sea paths. These included the Straits of Malacca and the Java Sea.

Talang Tuo Inscription
Talang Tuo Inscription

The empire grew to include parts of Thailand and Cambodia. It even influenced areas in the Malay Peninsula.

Later, the Palembang Sultanate ruled the region.

Masjid Agung Palembang
Masjid Agung Palembang

This sultanate lasted from 1659 to 1825. The year 1776 to 1803 was a golden era. During this time, trade made the empire very wealthy. They traded spices with many different countries.

Pempek Kuah Cuko
Pempek Kuah Cuko

Today, you can still see the culture through food and buildings. People enjoy delicious fish cakes called pempek.

Mie Celor Palembang
Mie Celor Palembang

You can also see beautiful traditional houses called Rumah Limas.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:South Sumatra in Indonesia.svg
South Sumatra in Indonesia.svg
File:Flag of Indonesia.svg
Flag of Indonesia.svg
File:National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg
National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg
File:Coat of arms of South Sumatra.svg
Coat of arms of South Sumatra.svg
File:Mie Celor Palembang.jpg
Mie Celor Palembang.jpg
File:Masjid Agung Palembang.jpg
Masjid Agung Palembang.jpg
File:Pahala kencana.jpg
Pahala kencana.jpg
File:SMB2IA LRT arriving.jpg
SMB2IA LRT arriving.jpg
File:Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport Front.jpg
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport Front.jpg
File:Tari Kebagh, 2017.jpg
Tari Kebagh, 2017.jpg
File:KA Serelo 08-2015.JPG
KA Serelo 08-2015.JPG
File:Pempek Kuah Cuko.jpg
Pempek Kuah Cuko.jpg

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