Padang, Indonesia

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Padang

Padang (means field )is the capital and largest city of West Sumatra,
Indonesia. It is located on the western coast of Sumatra at 057S 100
21E (http://tools.wikimedia.de/~magnus/geo/geohack.php?
params=0_57_S_100_21_E_). It has an area of 694.96 km and a
population of over 750,000 people, mostly speakers of the Minangkabau
language.

Contents

1 History
2 Administration
3 Transport
4 Education
5 Culture

5.1 Cuisine

5.2 Sport
6 Tourism
7 External links

Padang Beach

History
Seal

Since the 16th century Padang has been a trade centre. During the 16th
and 17th century pepper was cultivated and traded with India, Portugal,
the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In 1663 the city came under the
authority of the Dutch. The city came under British authority twice, the
first time during the war between United Kingdom and the Netherlands
(1781-1784) and again when the United Kingdom managed the area for
the Netherlands during the Napoleonic wars (1795-1815). Afterwards the
city was transferred back to the Netherlands. Up to approximately 1780
the most important trade product was gold, originating from the gold
mines in the region. When the mines where exhausted, the emphasis
turned to other products such as coffee, salts and textiles.

Motto: Padang Kota Tercinta

(Indonesian: Padang, the beloved City)

Administration
Location of Padang

Padang is divided in 11 subdistricts (kecamatan): Bungus Teluk Kabung,

Koto Tangah, Kuranji, Lubuk Begalung, Lubuk Kilangan, Nanggalo,
Padang Barat, Padang Selatan, Padang Timur, Padang Utara, Pauh

Coordinates: 057S 10021E

(http://tools.wikimedia.de/~magnus/geo/geohack.php?
params=0_57_S_100_21_E_type:city)

Transport
The city is served by the newly-opened Minangkabau International
Airport in Ketaping, Padang Pariaman. Padang's Teluk Bayur harbor is
the largest and busiest harbor on the west coast of Sumatra.

Education
Andalas University (http://www.unand.ac.id/) is the oldest University in
Sumatra, it is the first state university outside Java, and it is located in
Karimuntiang Hill Limau Manih, about 15 Km from the center of Padang.
Bung Hatta University (http://www.bung-hatta.ac.id/) is another
University in Padang located in Ulak Karang. Baiturrahmah University is
also another university in Padang located in Air Pacah, Bypass Road.

Culture

Mayor

Fauzi Bahar

Area
- City
Elevation

694.96 km
3m

Population
- City (2000)
- Density

757,600
1,090/km

Time zone

WIB (UTC+7)
Website: www.padang.go.id
(http://www.padang.go.id/)

Cuisine

The cuisine of the Minangkabau people is commonly called Padang cuisine, due to it being the capital and largest city of the
region. Padang restaurants are common throughout the country and are famous for their spicy food and their unique way of
serving it. Padang food is served in small portions of various dishes, in a way similar to tapas or mezedes, but constituting, with
rice, a complete meal. In a Padang-style restaurant, the table will quickly be set with dozens of small dishes filled with highlyflavored foods such as curried fish, fried tempeh, stewed greens, chili eggplant, curried beef liver, fried chicken, and of course,
sambals, the spicy sauces ubiquitous at Indonesian tables. Customers take - and pay for - only what they want from this array of
dishes. The best known Padang dish is rendang, a spicy meat stew. Soto Padang (crispy beef in spicy soup) is local residents'
breakfast favorite, meanwhile Sate (beef satay in curry sauce served with ketupat) is a treat in the evening.
Sport

Padang is the home town of the soccer team Semen Padang, with Haji Agus Salim Stadium being the home stadium of the club.

Tourism
Padang is a common transit point for surfers travelling to the Mentawai Islands, and for tourists visiting the West Sumatran
highlands. Padang beach (known as Taplau or Tapi Lauik) which located from Samudra Street until Puruih, is well-known for its
beautiful sunset and hundreds of food stalls. Bungus bay, to the south of Padang, is suitable for swimming and boating.
Adityawarman Museum specializes in the history and culture of the local Minangkabau ethic group, and the main exhibits are
housed within a Rumah Gadang style building.

External links

(Indonesian) Official website (http://www.padang.go.id/)

Padang travel guide from Wikitravel

Indonesia Portal

Administrative areas in West Sumatra

Wes
Sum
Emb

Cities: Bukittinggi | Padang | Padang Panjang | Pariaman | Payakumbuh | Sawahlunto | Solok

Regencies: Agam | Dharmasraya | Limapuluh Koto | Mentawai Islands | Padang Pariaman | Pasaman | West Pasaman |
South Pesisir | Sawahlunto Sijunjung | Tanah Datar | Solok | South Solok
See also: Provinces of Indonesia

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padang%2C_Indonesia"

Category: Cities in Indonesia

This page was last modified 20:13, 9 December 2006.

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