Acheh - History
Acheh or Achin, it was
most powerful between
1607 and 1636.
Imperialist rivalries
among Portugal, Britain, and
the Netherlands for control of Acheh
dominated its history during the
remainder of the 17th century.
In 1819 the British government
acquired exclusive trading privileges with the sultanate, but a
subsequent Anglo-Dutch agreement (1824) made the sultanate
virtually a protectorate of the Netherlands. A Chinese resistance
to Dutch control culminated in a long and bitter conflict
(1873-1908), which recurred at intervals until the establishment
after World War II of the Republic of Indonesia. During this
period the Dutch succeeded in subjugating only the coastal areas.
UMATRA, ALSO KNOWN AS SUMATERA,
ISLAND IN THE WESTERN Indonesia,
westernmost of the Sunda Islands, bordered by the
Indian Ocean. The island extends in a southeastern to
northwestern direction; it is separated by the Strait of
Malacca from the Malay Peninsula on the northeast and
by Sunda Strait from Java on the southeast. Sumatra
consists of the region of Acheh and the provinces of
Riau, Jambi, Bengkulu, Lampung, and North, South, and
West Sumatra. The chief cities include Palembang and
Padang. Area, 473,605 sq km/ 182,860 sq mi;
population (1995 estimate) 40,830,400.
The island has a maximum length of about 1770 km
(about 1100 mi) and a maximum width of about 435 km
(about 270 mi). A great volcanic mountain chain, known
as the Barisan Mountains and including several parallel
ranges, traverses Sumatra, following the western coast.

The highest peak on Sumatra is Kerinci (3805 m/12,484
ft). Along the eastern coast is a broad, gently sloping
plain where all the main rivers flow, including the Musi,
Hari, Indragiri, and Kampar, of much importance for
interior navigation. The largest of the many Sumatran
lakes is Lake Toba, about 80 km (about 50 mi) long.
The equator passes nearly through the center of the
island, and the mean annual temperature ranges from
25° to 27° C (77° to 81° F). Annual rainfall varies
between 2286 and 4699 mm (90 to 185 in). Earthquakes
and destructive storms, often causing injury and loss of
life, are common. The soil is extremely fertile, and most
of the island is densely forested; banyans, palm, rubber,
and teak are among the trees found here. Fauna
comprise the elephant, orangutan, siamang (black
gibbon), tiger, tapir, and other animals common to the
Malay Archipelago. Mineral deposits are large and
include bauxite and petroleum. Agriculture, the
predominant activity, is pursued on small farms or on
large plantations. The principal indigenous food crops
are rice, by far the largest, and corn. Estate cultivation is
primarily of rubber, tea, coffee, coconuts, and spices,
principally for export.
The indigenous Sumatrans belong, linguistically and
culturally, to the Malayan peoples and are sometimes
grouped as Indonesians. Among the most important
ethnic groups are the Achenese and Gayos in the north,
the Bataks in the interior, the Lampongs in the south,
and the Malays throughout Sumatra. Islam is the
prevailing religion. The population includes large groups
of Indians, Chinese, and Arabs and some Europeans,
who live principally in the coastal regions.
Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer, visited the island
about 1292, and in 1509 Portuguese traders established
stations here. In the 17th century the Dutch obtained a
foothold on Sumatra and gradually extended their
dominion. In the late 17th century the British also began
establishing themselves in Sumatra. Anglo-Dutch rivalry
was bitter until 1824, when the British gave up their
claims to Sumatra to the Netherlands in return for
Malacca. Throughout the 19th century the Dutch
continued to extend their authority over local rulers; the
last great struggle (1873-1903) was with the Achenese.
Almost all Sumatra was occupied by Japanese troops
during World War II (1939-1945), from 1942 until the
conclusion of the war. Sumatra became a principal
component of the Indonesian struggle for independence
following World War II.