Sibolga

SiboLga City
City
Location of Sibolga in Indonesia
SiboLga City Location of Sibolga in Indonesia
Coordinates: 1°44′24″N 98°46′48″E / 1.74000°N 98.78000°E / 1.74000; 98.78000Coordinates: 1°44′24″N 98°46′48″E / 1.74000°N 98.78000°E / 1.74000; 98.78000
Country	Indonesia
Province	North Sumatra
Time zone	WIB (UTC+7)

Sibolga (formerly sometimes Siboga) is a city and a port located in the natural harbour of Sibolga Bay on the west coast of North Sumatra province, in Indonesia. It is located on the western side of North Sumatra, facing the Indian Ocean and is a transit harbour to the Nias island which was hard hit during the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake.

History

Poncan Ketek Island (Small Poncan Island) in Sibolga Bay was once the location of a fort. British, Dutch, French and American traders passed through here. It is thought Stamford Raffles passed through before he moved to Bengkulu in south Sumatra. From Bengkulu Raffles, after relinquishing the Port to the Dutch, established the trade port that became Singapore.

At some point between 1890-1920 there was a major fire in the city, which was presumably mostly built from wood from the surrounding mountains (shown partly denuded in the 1928 panorama).

Devastation after the fire (ca. 1890-1920)

Devastation after the fire (ca. 1890-1920)

Devastation after the fire (ca. 1890-1920)

Panorama of Sibolga, 1928. Unknown (presumably Dutch) photographer. The major settlement of Tapanoeli, on the west coast of Sumatra. The road through the mountains turns left towards Tarodoeng. This road rises to 1100 meters and then drops to 926 meters at Tarodoeng. In the middle of the foreground is the barracks of the Armed Police, the Inspector's Office, the Water Office, and the Notary Office. In the background right are the European and native commercial districts. (The native commercial district notably included a Chinese quarter.)

Entrance gate to Sibolga's Chinese Quarter, 1920

A presumably makeshift prison described as a "civilian camp" was set up on Taroetoengweg, in the city center, from the 16th March to the 4th May 1942. It first housed 10 "European" men from in and around Sibolga, who were then joined on April 24 by another 10 men from the island of Nias. On May 4 they were taken to the Native Secondary School for Boys in Pearadja (Taroetoeng), which is located up in the mountains behind Sibolga. Further information.

Transport and tourism

Government bus descending Sibolga's mountain road, June 1919

Ferries from here service the outlying islands to the west, Simeulue and Nias, as well as the rest of Indonesia. Sibolga has attractions of its own in terms of its historical background, beaches and coral gardens in a sea dotted with islands. Sibolga is a step off point for trade and passenger boats to Nias Island.

Climate

This area has a tropical rainforest climate with no real dry season. Regions with this climate typically feature tropical rainforests, and are designated by the Köppen climate classification as "Af.^[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sibolga.

v t e Regencies and Cities of North Sumatra, Indonesia Capital: Medan Regencies Asahan Batubara Dairi Deli Serdang Humbang Hasundutan Karo Labuhan Batu South Labuhan Batu North Labuhan Batu Langkat Mandailing Natal Nias West Nias South Nias North Nias Padang Lawas North Padang Lawas Pakpak Bharat Samosir Serdang Bedagai Simalungun South Tapanuli Central Tapanuli North Tapanuli Toba Samosir Cities Binjai Gunung Sitoli Medan Padang Sidempuan Pematangsiantar Sibolga Tanjung Balai Tebing Tinggi See also: List of regencies and cities of Indonesia

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Sibolga.