Lampung - An Overview: Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

By Wombat | May 31st, 2006 | 2 Comments »

Ancient Chinese travel chronicles refer to a place in the most southerly part of Sumatra called “Lampung” or “place of the Southerly winds“.

Megalithic sculptures discovered in Kebontebu, Kenali, Pugung and Batubedil also help to date the province to Indonesia’s greatest maritime empire, Sriwajaya. Strategically located looking towards krakatau and Java across the Sunda Strait, Lampung has along history of trade is still an important gateway into Sumatra, particularly from Jakarta.

The Province is generally flat with the highest mountains of Gunung Pesagi, Tanggamas, Seminiung, Sekincau and Raya all are being doormat volcanoes.

Pundar Lampung, the Provincial capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and the port of Telukbetung, which after the infamous eruptions of Krakatau were both completely covered in volcanic ash. In the course of development, however, these towns have merged together to become one single city.

Being blessed with incredibly fertile soil, agriculture has naturally become the main industry of the province. Clove, coffee and coconut plantations are abundant along the southern coast while pepper, coffee, cassava, cocoa and rice are preferred in the eastern sections of the region. The area around Lake Ranu is primarily a tobacco growing area.

The Way Kambas Nature Reserve in the west of the province is a perfect place to see Sumatran elephants being trained to work in thick tropical jungles as well as hundreds of species of exotic birds. Tigers still roam this land although they are rare. The largest flower in the world, Rafflesia, can be seen at the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.

Other places of interest:

Bandar Lampung

The capital of Lampung has a several interesting places such as the Monument of the Krakatau Eruption, as well as Tapis textile art and dance performances.

Krakatau

An uninhabited island, Krakatau is located on the southern part of the Bay of Lampung. Krakatau is reachable in three hours by boat from Canti, a fishing village near Kalianda, South Lampung. Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) is still growing, first emerging from the sea in early 1928, 45 years after the legendary eruption in 1883.

Pugung Archeological Site

Located in Pugung Raharjo village, 40 kms northeast of Bandar Lampung is a site of megalith and prehistoric relics, as well as those of the classical Hindu-Buddhist period.

Merak Belatung Beach

Located 40 kms south of Banar Lampung, on the way to the seaport of Bekauheni, the beach is ideal for swimming and wind surfing. Cottages are available.

Source: SumatraTravel