South Tapanuli Regency

Summary

South Tapanuli (Tapanuli Selatan in Indonesian Language, abbreviated Tapsel) is a regency in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its seat is the town of Sipirok. This regency was originally very large and contained thousands of towns and villages, including the city of Padang Sidempuan. The areas that have separated from South Tapanuli Regency are the new regencies of Mandailing Natal (created on 23 November 1998), Padang Lawas Utara, and Padang Lawas (both created on 17 July 2007), all lying to the south-east of the residual South Tapanuli Regency, plus the city (kota) of Padang Sidempuan (created on 21 June 2001). After the division, the regency seat moved from Padang Sidempuan to Sipirok.

South Tapanuli Regency
(Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan)
Welcome gate to South Tapanuli Regency
Welcome gate to South Tapanuli Regency
Coat of arms of South Tapanuli Regency
Location of South Tapanuli in North Sumatra
Location of South Tapanuli in North Sumatra
CountryIndonesia
ProvinceNorth Sumatra
Regency seatSipirok
Government
 • RegentDolly Parlindungan Putra Pasaribu, S.Pt., M.M.
 • Vice RegentRasyid Asyraf Dongoran, S.Si., M.Si.
 • Chairman of Regency's Council of RepresentativesHusin Sogot Simatupang (Gerindra)
 • Vice Chairmen of Regency's Council of RepresentativesRahmad Nasution (Golkar) and Borkat (National Mandate Party)
Area
 • Total4,355.35 km2 (1,681.61 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)[1]
 • Total312,540
 • Density72/km2 (190/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (WIB)
Websitewww.tapselkab.go.id

The regency covers an area of 4,355.35 square kilometers and had a population of 264,108 at the 2010 census[2] and 300,911 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as at mid-2023 was 312,540 (comprising 157,340 males and 155,200 females).[1] These figures exclude the city of Padang Sidempuan, which is virtually surrounded by South Tananuli territory but is independently administered.

There are several attractions in the regency, including Lake Marsabut and Lake Siais. The language used by the people is the Angkola Batak language. The majority religion of the population is Islam. An airport is located at Aek Godang in Hulu Sihapas District, North Padang Lawas Regency.

Administration edit

At the 2010 Census, the regency was divided into twelve districts (kecamatan). Subsequently, three additional districts (Tano Tombangan Angkola, Angkola Muara Tais, and Angkola Sangkunur) have been created by the division of existing districts. The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as of mid-2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 211 rural desa and 37 urban kelurahan), and its postcode.

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
District
(kecamatan)
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
Census
2010
Pop'n
Census
2020
Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023
Admin
centre
No.
of
desa
No.
of
kelurahan
Post
code
12.03.07 Batang Angkola 211.36 32,129 21,323 21,829 Pintu Padang 17 4 22773
12.03.21 Sayur Matinggi 295.11 37,655 26,014 26,844 Sayur Matinggi 18 1 22774
12.03.30 Tano Tombangan
Angkola
210.30 (a) 15,548 15,883 Situmba 16 1 22775
12.03.32 Angkola Muara Tais 149.70 (b) 13,766 14,131 Muara Tais 13 2 22733
12.03.03 Angkola Timur
(East Angkola)
235.16 18,553 21,294 22,139 Pargarutan 13 2 22733
12.03.06 Angkola Selatan
(South Angkola)
496.57 27,500 32,757 34,733 Simarpinggan 13 4 22732
12.03.01 Angkola Barat
(West Angkola)
104.52 41,254 25,206 25,519 Sitinjak 12 2 22735
12.03.31 Angkola Sangkunur 254.77 (c) 21,740 22,937 Simataniari 8 2 22734
12.03.02 Batang Toru 380.04 28,595 33,760 35,390 Batang Toru 19 4 22738
12.03.20 Marancar 89.11 9,351 10,359 10,660 Pasar Sempurna 11 1 22737
12.03.29 Muara Batang Toru 308.01 11,401 15,806 17,360 Huta Raja 6 3 22736
12.03.04 Sipirok 409.37 30,435 33,326 34,179 Sipirok 34 6 22739
12.03.14 Arse 265.90 7,872 8,677 8,916 Arse Nauli 8 2 22748
12.03.05 Saipar Dolok Hole 540.57 12,674 13,940 14,315 Sipagimbar 12 2 22759
12.03.22 Aek Bilah 404.85 6,396 7,395 7,705 Biru 12 - 22758
Totals 4,355.35 263,815 300,911 312,540 Sipirok 211 37

Notes:
(a) the 2010 population of the new Tano Tombangan Angkola District is included in the figure for Sayur Matinggi District, from which it was split off.
(b) the 2010 population of the new Angkola Muara Tais District is included in the figure for Batang Angkola District, from which it was split off.
(c) the 2010 population of the new Angkola Sangkunur District is included in the figure for the Angkola Barat District, from which it was split off.

Geography edit

Location edit

To the north, the district is bordered by the Central Tapanuli Regency and North Tapanuli Regency. The regency borders the Padang Lawas Regency in the east, and to the north, the west, and the south it borders the Mandailing Natal Regency. In the middle of the South Tananuli Regency is Padang Sidempuan City, which is surrounded by this Regency but separately administered.

Sights edit

 
Sampuran waterfall in Damparan Hauntas, Saipar Dolok Hole, South Tapanuli Regency

Sights include a waterfall in Damparan Hauntas, in Saipar Dolok Hole District.

Archaeology edit

The Padang Lawas archaeological site is partly located in the regency. The site covers approximately 1,500 km2 in this regency and in the Padang Lawas and North Padang Lawas regencies.[citation needed]

Wildlife edit

The critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan lives in the region. It was described as a distinct species in 2017 and represents the first extant species of great ape to be described since the bonobo in 1929.[4] Scientists have identified a new species of great ape, Pongo tapanuliensis or Tapanuli orangutan, but fear its survival is already in doubt as its habitat is under threat.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1203)
  2. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. ^ Reese, April (2017). "Newly discovered orangutan species is also the most endangered". Nature. 551 (7679): 151. doi:10.1038/nature.2017.22934. PMID 29120449.
  5. ^ Guardian, Guardian (2 November 2017). "New species of orangutan discovered in Sumatra – and is already endangered". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2022.

Sources edit

  • Simanjuntak, Truman, M. Hisyam, Bagyo Prasetyo, Titi Surti Nastiti (éds.), Archaeology: Indonesian perspective : R.P. Soejono's festschrift, LIPI, Jakarta, 2006, ISBN 979-26-2499-6