South Sumatra is a province of Indonesia, located in the southeast of the island of Sumatra. The capital and largest city of the province is the city of Palembang. The province borders the provinces of Jambi to the north, Bengkulu to the west and Lampung to the south, as well a maritime border with the Bangka Belitung Islands to the east. It is the largest province in the island of Sumatra, and it is slightly smaller than Portugal. The Bangka Strait in the east separates South Sumatra and the island of Bangka, which is part of the Bangka Belitung Islands province. The province has an area of 91,592.43 km2 (35,364 sq mi) and had a population of 8,467,432 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid-2023 was 8,743,522. The province is rich in natural resources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. The province is inhabited by many different malay sub ethnic groups, with Palembangese being largest ethnic group. Most speak the Palembang language, which is mutually intelligible to both Indonesian and local Palembang Malay. Other ethnic groups include the Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau and Chinese. Most are concentrated in urban areas and are largely immigrants from other parts of Indonesia.
An Amaravati style Buddha statue displayed in Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Museum in Palembang, possibly dating from the Srivijaya era
The Talang Tuo inscription dating from the 7th century AD
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II of Palembang led a revolt against the Dutch in the 19th century. Ultimately, he was defeated and exiled to the Moluccas. Today he is commemorated as the national hero of Indonesia.
Great Mosque of Palembang. Once the seat of the Srivijaya Empire and the Palembang Sultanate, Palembang remains the capital and economic center of the province.
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