The island of Sumatra is the longest island of Indonesia, more then 2000 kms from the north tip to the southern tip. The island is known to have second biggest tropical forest after Kalimantan, and the only habitat of Asian tiger until today. The rain forest is along the slope of bukit Barisan or chain of mountain along the island. The habitat of the tiger is from west Sumatra up to the area of Lampung in south Sumatra, while the habitat of orangutans is on Leuser National park north sumatra, bordering with Aceh Province. Sumatra with some smaller islands on the west and east coasts records some ethnic groups such as the Aceh, the Batak, the Nias, the Mentawai, and the forest people of Kubu. North Sumatra province, as the home of Batak people is one of the most interesting country with the existence of beautiful lake Toba, Orangutans and the culture of Batak themselves who continues their ancestors tradition, although they are now mostly Christian. Lake Toba with Samosir island in it which is as big as Singapore is one of the nature's oddity that on such a narrow land was ever a super volcanic eruption which was happened 70,000 years ago.

West Sumatra, known as the home of Minagkabau people was a Hindu kingdom around 13 to 14th century and have a close relation with Pajajaran kingdom in west Java. It is not clear up to now if Sumatra under Sriwijaya kingdom was controlling Pajajaran or Majapahit of Java controlled Sriwijaya by ordering Pajakaran to supervise Sriwijaya. Proof of Sriwijaya ever control over west Java is presence in the present region of Banten. As a result of ever controlled by Hindu kingdom west Sumatra has unique culture, especially the art and historical places. Although in basic concept of house architecture for example almost the same as Batak, but the Minangkabau house which is called Rumah Gadang has beautiful carving and decoration. The historic monument of king Adidyavarman in Pagaruyung, the museum of art are of traditional interests beside nature beauties such as Ngarai Sianok or Sianok canyon just on the west side of Bukit Tinggi city the capital of Minangkabau land. Bukit Tinggi city itself preserves the heritages from Dutch colonial era, and Japanese occupation such as Gua Jepang or under soil resistance, just on the west side of the city. In the field of social and living art Minangkabau has not much to offer as the people already Moslem.