West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It is on the west coast of the island of Sumatra and includes the Mentawai Islands off that coast. West Sumatra borders the Indian Ocean to the west, as well as the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau to the northeast, Jambi to the southeast, and Bengkulu to the south. The province has an area of 42,119.54 km2 (16,262.45 sq mi),or about the same size as Switzerland,with a population of 5,534,472 at the 2020 census. The official estimate at mid 2022 was 5,640,629. The province is subdivided into twelve regencies and seven cities. It has relatively more cities than other provinces outside Java, although several of them are relatively low in population compared with cities elsewhere in Indonesia. Padang is the province's capital and largest city.
The village of Pariangan, located on the slopes of Mount Marapi, In folklore is said to be the first Minangkabau village.
A statue believed to be Adityawarman, founder of a Minangkabau kingdom.
Minangkabau royal seal from the 19th century, written in Jawi script
Dutch forces charging towards Minangkabau position during the Padri War
Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 475,807.63 km2 (182,812 mi.2), including adjacent islands such as the Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Enggano, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung and Krakatoa archipelago.
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh
Minangkabau women carrying platters of food to a ceremony
Traditional house in Simalungun North Sumatra
Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra