Pematangsiantar, is an independent city in North Sumatra, Indonesia, surrounded by, but not part of, the Simalungun Regency, making Pematangsiantar an enclave within Simalungun Regency. Pematangsiantar formerly had the status of a second level district and was the administrative centre of the surrounding Regency, but it has recently been elevated to Kota and separated from the Regency. Its population was 229,525 in the 2005 Census, 234,698 in the 2010 Census, and 247,219 in the 2015 Intermediate Census, while the latest official estimate is 253,500, making it the second largest city in the province after the provincial capital of Medan.
Administrative divisions
The city is divided administratively into eight districts, tabulated below with their areas and 2010 Census populations:
Name
Areea in sq.km
Population Census 2010
Siantar Selatan
2.16
17,101
Siantar Barat
3.35
34,984
Siantar Utara
4.06
46,423
Siantar Timur
4.15
38,454
Siantar Marihat
7.70
17,872
Siantar Marimbun
16.36
14,642
Siantar Martoba
16.39
38,368
Siantar Sitalasari
22.72
26,854
History
Before 1907, Pematangsiantar was a Kingdom led by the Damanik. Damanik is one of the clans of the Simalungun ethnic group of the Batak people. The last king of the dynasty was Tuan Sangnawaluh Damanik. In 1907, the Dutch took control, turning Pematangsiantar into their colony. The city remained under Dutch control until 1942 when the Japanese invaded and ruled over Indonesia. After Indonesia proclaimed its freedom in 1945, Pematangsiantar was granted autonomous status. In 1974, Pematangsiantar became a second level district, and was appointed as the capital of Simalungun Regency.
Pematangsiantar is 50 kilometres from Lake Toba on the Trans-Sumatran Highway. Lake Toba is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, and a major tourism destination. It is common to see tourists stopping over in Pt. Siantar. Siantar is famous for Batak culture, 'Batik' and 'Ulos' fabric, and Batak foods. There is a zoo worth visiting that is aptly named Taman Hewan Pematangsiantar - animal garden of Pematangsiantar. It has a good collection of Indonesian native animals, most notably birds, tigers and apes. The zoo itself boasts abundant tropical trees and plants, some of which are quite old. The location is close to the main roads of the city. Ticket price is 7,000 IDR. Another place of interest in the city is Vihara Avalokitesvara - a Buddhist Temple housing the Statue of Kwan Im. At 22.8 meter high, is the tallest statue of its kind in Indonesia. The temple complex is accessible from Jl. Pane. It is part of a new temple complex. Adjacent to the new complex and connected by a bridge across the river of Bah Bolon, the old building of the temple was burned completely in an inferno in May, 2008. Pematangsiantar can also be reached from Medan by train. There are also large buses which connect Siantar to Medan 130 kilometres away, about a 3-hour trip.
Cuisine
Most of Pematangsiantar's food styles are inherited from Batak and Chinese traditional food. Foods such as saksang and roasted pork, or drinks like tuak prepared by the Batak people are very popular. Chinese restaurants can also be found across the city. One of the very popular local delicacies inherited from Chinese food is "Mie Pangsit". Minangkabau cuisine is also quite popular, especially Nasi Padang and Sate Padang.
