The island of Sumatra is divided into
2 parts by equator line which passes exactly on the town
of Bonjol, between Bukit Tinggi city and Padang city. Tourist
who passes the line is given a certificate by local geology
in Bonjol. With the stretch of North - South around 2000
kms makes slight difference character between areas north
and south of equator. Rainy season for example for the areas
of Northern equator normally between May and September,
while the areas southern equator have the heaviest rain
fall between December and February. Medan city for example
during rainy season has an average rain fall of 150 mm,
and during the peak of rainy season in September and October
can reach 225 mm. While daily temperature is consistent
through the year around 32oC.
Dry season for Sumatra in the past can be a real trouble
by forest burning around the province of Riau. Worse fire
was in 1988 when almost large part of North Sumatra was
covered by the smoke and months by mild up to Singapore
and Malaysia. It was thought that the fire was caused by
the clearing of the forest by burning, and due to the high
temperature caused the smaller branches and bushes were
to easy being burnt by smallest fire and due to the fire
happened deep in the forest, rescue was so difficult, if
not if not impossible. Others thought that fire was caused
by illegal lodging activities.
Geographically Sumatra island elongated shape of North -
South is divided by mountain chain called Bukit Barisan,
which preserves the best national park of Indonesia, and
home to various wild life of Indonesia such as Sumatran
tiger, one horned Rhino, Tapir, Deer, Pigs, Orangutans,
Monkeys and various type of birds.
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