Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Sumatra

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Sumatra Topography
island

Sumatra was known in ancient times as Svarṇadvīpa, meaning 'Island of Gold'.

Sumatra
Indonesia
Tap to learn more
island

Sumatra

Indonesia

Area
473,481 km²
Location
Indonesia
6th largest island in the world

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Sadalmelik · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 1 permalink
Sumatra Topography
island

The Melayu Kingdom was absorbed by Srivijaya by the year 692 CE.

Sumatra
Indonesia
Tap to learn more
island

Sumatra

Indonesia

Area
473,481 km²
Location
Indonesia
6th largest island in the world

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Sadalmelik · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 2 permalink
Sumatra Topography
island

Sumatra has about the same number of inhabitants as South Africa, making it the fifth-most populous island in the world.

Sumatra
Indonesia
Tap to learn more
island

Sumatra

Indonesia

Area
473,481 km²
Location
Indonesia
6th largest island in the world

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia.

From the “Demographics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Sadalmelik · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 3 permalink
Sumatra Topography
island

There are over 52 languages spoken in Sumatra, most of which belong to the Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.

Sumatra
Indonesia
Tap to learn more
island

Sumatra

Indonesia

Area
473,481 km²
Location
Indonesia
6th largest island in the world

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia.

From the “Ethnic groups” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Sadalmelik · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 4 permalink
Sumatra Topography
island

Sumatra is home to 201 mammal species and 580 bird species.

Sumatra
Indonesia
Tap to learn more
island

Sumatra

Indonesia

Area
473,481 km²
Location
Indonesia
6th largest island in the world

Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia.

From the “Flora and fauna” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Sadalmelik · CC BY-SA 3.0

Fact 5 permalink