Simalungun Regency

Simalungun Regency is a regency in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its seat was formerly at Pematangsiantar, but this city was in recent years separated from the Regency and made into an independent city (kota), although it remains geographically surrounded by the regency, whose new administrative seat is at Raya. The regency now covers an area of 4,369.2 square kilometres, and at the 2010 census it had a population of 817,720;[2] at the 2015 Census this had risen to 848,940; the latest official estimate (as at mid 2018) is 863,693.[3]

Simalungun Regency (Kabupaten Simalungun)
Regency
Seal
Country	Indonesia
Province	North Sumatra
Regency seat	Raya
Government
• Regent	Jopinus Ramli Saragih
• Vice Regent	Amran Sinaga
• Chairman of Regency's Council of Representatives	Timbul Jaya Hamonangan Sibarani (Golkar)
• Vice Chairmen of Regency's Council of Representatives	Samrin Girsang (PDI-P), Elias Barus (Partai Demokrat) and Sastra Joyo Sirait (Gerindra)
Area
• Total	4,369.20 km^2 (1,686.96 sq mi)
Population  (mid 2018)[1]
• Total	863,693
• Density	200/km^2 (510/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (WIB)
Website	www.simalungunkab.go.id

Demography

Main article: Simalungun people

The principal group of inhabitants of the Regency (and of Pematangsiantar city, an enclave within the regency) are the Simalungun people, a sub-group of the Batak people. Their language (Simalungan language) is an Austronesian language.

Regent

The regent of Simalungun is JR Saragih, who was elected as Regent of Simalungun on Pilkada (election of regional head) 2015.

Administration

The regency in 2010 was divided administratively into thirty-one districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas and 2010 Census populations:[4]

Name	Area in km^2	Population Census 2010[4]
Silimakuta	71.3	13,611
Pematang Silimakuta	80.1	10,334
Purba	170.1	21,830
Haranggaol Horison	34.1	4,994
Dolok Pardamean	106.8	16,008
Sidamanik	88.8	26,953
Pematang Sidamanik	125.7	16,283
Girsang Sipangan Bolon	126.9	14,325
Tanah Jawa	198.0	45,568
Hatonduhan	261.1	21,140
Dolok Panribuan	165.9	17,947
Jorlang Hataran	90.0	15,316
Panei	78.9	21,425
Panombean Panei	80.7	19,193
Raya	358.3	30,876
Dolok Silau	324.9	13,716
Silau Kahean	198.0	17,000
Raya Kahean	222.4	17,398
Tapian Dolok	134.0	38,034
Dolok Batu Nanggar	98.2	39,364
Siantar	95.5	62,916
Gunung Malela	83.5	32,676
Gunung Maligas	51.6	26,173
Hutabayu Raja	161.0	29,135
Jawa Maraja Bah Jambi	65.3	19,951
Pematang Bandar	96.9	31,324
Bandar Huluan	73.4	25,738
Bandar	137.1	63,584
Bandar Masilam	57.3	24,316
Bosar Maligas	295.9	38,970
Ujung Padang	235.9	40,522

Since 2010, a 32nd district - Dolok Masagal - has been created.

Tourism

White Crater

Local people mention it as Bukit Kapur Tinggi Raja, but some people also called it as Kawah Putih (White Crater) same name as Kawah Putih in West Java. The crater is located in Dolok Tinggi Raja Village, 90 kilometers from Medan or 3 to 4 hours drive by motorcycles with route Medan-Lubuk Pakam-Galang-Bangun Purba-Dolok Tinggi Raja. Many people come in Sunday and holidays, so for the best to take photo, weekdays are more convenient.[5]

Parapat

Main article: Parapat

Parapat is a small town located on edge of the Lake Toba. This place is known for relaxing and tourism. There are some good hotel to stay and there are also available ferries service to Samosir Island.

References

1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2019.
2. Seta,William J. Atlas Lengkap Indonesia dan Dunia (untuk SD, SMP, SMU, dan Umum). Pustaka Widyatama. p. 9. ISBN 979-610-232-3.
3. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2019.
4. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
5. Reza Fahlevi. "Tidak Hanya Bandung, Kawah Putih Juga Ada di Simalungun". Retrieved September 14, 2014.