Medan
Encyclopedia
Demography
The city is Indonesia's fourth most populous after JakartaJakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, and Bandung
Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
, and Indonesia's largest city outside of Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
island. Much of the population lies outside its city limits, especially in Deli Serdang
Deli Serdang
Deliserdang is a regency in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra. It is located southeast of Medan, and also borders the chartered city Binjai, its effectively a bedroom community for Medan. The capital of the district is Lubukpakam, which is located approximately 30 km east of Medan. ...
.
| Administrative division | Area (km²) | Population (2010 Census) | Population density (/km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medan (Kota) | 265.1 | 2,109,330 | 7,959 |
| Binjai Binjai Binjai formally Kota Binjai is an independent city in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia, and is surrounded by but not part of the Deli Serdang Regency. Binjai is connected to Medan , about 22 km, by the Sumatra highway that goes to Banda Aceh, and effectively forms a part of Greater Medan... (Kota) |
90.2 | 246,010 | 2,726 |
| Deli Serdang Regency | 2,384.62 | 1,789,243 | 750.3 |
| Greater Medan | 2,739.92 | 4,144,583 | 1,512.8 |
The city has diverse communities, reflecting its history. However, The Mandailings also live here in big numbers and working at the most strategic government position. In addition, there is a large ethnic Javanese community, largely made up of the descendants of people transported from Java in the last century to be employed as contract workers at various plantations in North Sumatra
North Sumatra
North Sumatra is a province of Indonesia on the Sumatra island. Its capital is Medan. It is the most populous Indonesian province outside of Java. It is slightly larger than Sri Lanka in area.- Geography and population :...
. They are usually known as Jadel (Jawa Deli/Deli Javanese) or Jakon (Jawa Kontrak/Contract Javanese), and, with other Javanese communities in Sumatra, Pujakesuma (Putra Jawa Kelahiran Sumatera/Sumatra-born Javanese). Their presence in Medan can be marked from various Javanese toponymies in Medan, such as Harjosari, Sarirejo, Sidodadi, Sidomulyo, Sidorame, Sidorejo, Sitirejo, Sudirejo, Tanjungrejo, Tanjungsari, Tegalrejo, Tegalsari, etc.
A highly visible component of Medan's population is the large number of Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
, who are very active in the business sector, and unlike the ethnic Chinese in many other parts of Indonesia, they continue to speak Hokkien
Hokkien
Hokkien is a Hokkien word corresponding to Standard Chinese "Fujian". It may refer to:* Hokkien dialect, a dialect of Min Nan Chinese spoken in Southern Fujian , Taiwan, South-east Asia, and elsewhere....
. The city also host a sizable community of Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
descendants who are commonly known as keling. A well-known Tamil neighbourhood is Kampung Keling. In addition to Indonesian
Indonesian language
Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a normative form of the Riau Islands dialect of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries....
, Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
, Mandailing
Mandailing language
Mandailing or Batak Mandailing is an Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, the northern island of Sumatra. The language pertains to the Malayo-Polynesian of Austronesian languages....
, Minangkabau
Minangkabau language
The Minangkabau language is an Austronesian language, spoken by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra, the western part of Riau, South Aceh Regency, the northern part of Bengkulu and Jambi, also in several cities throughout Indonesia by migrated Minangkabau, who often trade or have a restaurant...
, Karo
Karo language
Karo is an Omotic language spoken in the Debub Omo Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region in Ethiopia...
, Javanese
Javanese language
Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java...
, Hokkien, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, Aceh
Acehnese language
Acehnese or Aceh is a Malayo-Polynesian language spoken by Acehnese people natively in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia...
, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
are spoken.
| Ethnic | 1930 | 1980 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javanese | 24,89% | 29,41% | 33,03% |
| Batak Batak (Indonesia) Batak is a collective term used to identify a number of ethnic groups predominantly found in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The term is used to include the Toba, Karo, Pakpak, Simalungun, Angkola and Mandailing, each of which are distinct but related groups with distinct, albeit related, languages and... |
2,93% | 14,11% | -- (see Note) |
| Tionghoa | 35,63% | 12,8% | 10,65% |
| Mandailing Mandailing The Mandailing is a traditional cultural group in Southeast Asia. They are found mainly in the northern section of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. They came under the influence of the Kaum Padri who ruled the Minangkabau of Tanah Datar. As a result, the Mandailing were influenced by Muslim... |
6,12% | 11,91% | 9,36% |
| Minangkabau | 7,29% | 10,93% | 8,6% |
| Malay | 7,06% | 8,57% | 6,59% |
| Karo KARO KARO is a radio station licensed to serve Nyssa, Oregon, USA. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.It broadcasts a Contemporary Christian music format as part of the Air 1 network.-History:... |
0,19% | 3,99% | 4,10% |
| Aceh Acehnese people The Acehnese are a people in Aceh, Indonesia. Their homeland is located in the northern-most tip of the island of Sumatra and had a history of political struggle against the Dutch... |
-- | 2,19% | 2,78% |
| Sundanese Sundanese people The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim... |
1,58% | 1,90% | -- |
| Others | 14,31% | 4,13% | 3,95% |
| Source: 1930 and 1980: Usman Pelly, 1983; 2000: BPS Sumut | |||
Climate
Under the Koppen climate classificationKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
, Medan features a tropical rainforest climate
Tropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, also known as an equatorial climate, is a tropical climate usually found along the equator...
with no real dry season
Dry season
The dry season is a term commonly used when describing the weather in the tropics. The weather in the tropics is dominated by the tropical rain belt, which oscillates from the northern to the southern tropics over the course of the year...
. Medan does have noticeably wetter and drier months, with its driest month (February) on average seeing about one third of the precipitation of its wettest month (October). Temperatures in the city average approximately 27 degrees Celsius throughout the course of the year. Annual precipitation in the Medan is around 1800 mm.
Landmarks
There are several historic places such as Maimun Palace (Istana Maimun) built in years 1887–1891, where the Sultan of Deli still lives (the Sultan no longer holds any official power), and the Great Mosque (Masjid Raya) of Medan built in 1906 in the Moroccan style by the Dutch architect Dingemans.
Since 2005, a catholic temple, in Indo-Mogul style, devoted to Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni
Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni
Since 2005, a catholic temple, in Indo-Mogul style, devoted to Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni , is built in Medan, Indonesia. This particular Saint knows its origin with an apparition in the 17th century in India...
(Our Lady of Good Health), is built in Medan. This particular Saint knows its origin with an apparition in the 17th century in India. The temple is an important building, of two stories and a small tower of seven storeys in Indonesian style, that already attracts attention from the main road (it is situated in the small road Jl. Sakura III besides Jl. Simatupang). It is already the second most important pilgrimage place in Asia.
Transportation
One of the unique features of Medan are the motorized becaks that are found almost everywhere. Unlike traditional becaks, a motorized becak can take its passenger anywhere in the city. The fare of riding a 'becak' is relatively cheap and is usually negotiated beforehand.There are also more common transport like taxis and minibuses, known as sudako.
Railroad tracks connect Medan to Binjai
Binjai
Binjai formally Kota Binjai is an independent city in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia, and is surrounded by but not part of the Deli Serdang Regency. Binjai is connected to Medan , about 22 km, by the Sumatra highway that goes to Banda Aceh, and effectively forms a part of Greater Medan...
and Tanjungpura to the northwest, to port of Belawan
Belawan
Belawan is a port city on the northeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Located on the Deli River near the city of Medan, Belawan is Indonesia's busiest port outside of Java....
to the north, to Tebing Tinggi
Tebing Tinggi
Tebing Tinggi Deli or more commonly simply Tebing Tinggi is a chartered city near the eastern coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. It has an area of 31 km² and a population of about 135,000 people. In the 1990 census, its population was 116,767, 2000 National Census, 125,211, and 2005...
and Pematang Siantar
Pematang Siantar
Pematangsiantar is an independent city in North Sumatera, Indonesia, surrounded by, but not part of, the Simalungun Regency...
to the southeast, and also Rantau Prapat
Rantau Prapat
Rantau Prapat is a town in North Sumatra province of Indonesia and it is the seat of Labuhan Batu Regency. Rantau Prapat is also a village in the sub-district of Rantau Utara . It consists of 3 main roads. There is a saying that if you forget to hit the brakes once you see the town, you will have...
among other city. The largest train station in Medan is Medan Station
Medan Station
Notice: Medan Station could be confusing..as Medan itself means station as well as a city nameMedan Station is the main train station in the city of Medan, Indonesia...
. There are also smaller stations in Medan, such as Medan Pasar, Pulu Brayan, Titi Papan, and Labuhan, and Belawan. Titi Papan and Pulu Brayan only serve as the stop for freight trains carrying oil palm
Oil palm
The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to West Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to...
and petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
.
The seaport of Belawan
Belawan
Belawan is a port city on the northeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Located on the Deli River near the city of Medan, Belawan is Indonesia's busiest port outside of Java....
is about 20 km to the north. Polonia International Airport
Polonia International Airport
Polonia International Airport is located in the city of Medan, Indonesia, about 5 km from the Central Business District. It is the first international airport in Medan, the other being the planned Kuala Namu International Airport...
is located in the heart of the city, because of its close proximity to the city center, the government is currently imposing a ban on constructing high rise buildings. Kuala Namu International Airport
Kuala Namu International Airport
Kuala Namu International Airport is a new airport under construction to replace Polonia International Airport. Polonia airport is the site of several crashes, is inappropriately located in the centre of the city of Medan, has a difficult takeoff path and has a shorter runway...
is a new airport under construction and is due to replace Polonia in mid-2012.
A toll highway connects Medan to Belawan
Belawan
Belawan is a port city on the northeast coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Located on the Deli River near the city of Medan, Belawan is Indonesia's busiest port outside of Java....
and Tanjungmorawa. A plan for the extension of this highway to Tebing Tinggi
Tebing Tinggi
Tebing Tinggi Deli or more commonly simply Tebing Tinggi is a chartered city near the eastern coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. It has an area of 31 km² and a population of about 135,000 people. In the 1990 census, its population was 116,767, 2000 National Census, 125,211, and 2005...
and to Binjai
Binjai
Binjai formally Kota Binjai is an independent city in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia, and is surrounded by but not part of the Deli Serdang Regency. Binjai is connected to Medan , about 22 km, by the Sumatra highway that goes to Banda Aceh, and effectively forms a part of Greater Medan...
has been completed, and the central government is currently seeking investors to build the extension.
Media
The TVRI Medan (state-owned) and Deli TV (private) are the only two local TV stations in Medan. Several local newspapers are running in the city with Harian Mimbar Umum as the oldest one. Other popular newspapers include Harian Waspada, Harian Analisa, Berita Sore, Harian Global, Harian Medan Bisnis, Posmetro Medan, Suara Indonesia Baru, dan "Tribun Medan".Sport
FootballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
is one of the favorite sports, with two local clubs: PSMS Medan
PSMS Medan
Persatuan Sepakbola Medan dan Sekitarnya , commonly referred to as PSMS Medan or simply as PSMS, are an Indonesian football club based in Medan, Indonesia. They are one of Indonesia's most successful clubs. PSMS Medan were founded on April 21, 1950...
and Medan Jaya. Another locally popular sport is Wushu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
, with significant growth in recent years as one of the favorite sports in Medan. It has its training center in Plaju Street in heart of town. Medan has recently seen much success in Wushu nationally and internationally.
Sister cities
- IchikawaIchikawa, Chibais a city located in northwest Chiba, Japan, approximately 20 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The city was founded on November 3, 1934. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 474,586 and a density of 8,259.42 persons per km². The total area is 57.46 km²...
, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... - George TownGeorge Town, PenangGeorge Town was voted as one of the best cities in Asia by Asiaweek, ranked 6th in 1998 and 9th in 2000. More recently, George Town has improved a notch to rank as the 9th most liveable city in Asia in a survey of 254 cities worldwide according to an international location ratings survey by , an...
, Malaysia - ChengduChengduChengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture... - GwangjuGwangjuGwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
, South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
External links
Local newspaper
- Harian Analisa – Medan & North Sumatera Newspaper
- Harian Global – Medan & North Sumatera Newspaper ---> change name to JURNAL MEDAN
- Harian Medan Bisnis – Medan Business Newspaper
- Harian Waspada – Medan & North Sumatera Newspaper
- Posmetro Medan – Medan, Pematang Siantar & North Sumatera Newspaper