Medan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Medan
City
City of Medan Kota Medan
Regional transcription(s)
• Jawi	ميدن
• Batak	ᯔᯩᯑᯉ᯲
From top, left to right: Medan Central Business District Great Mosque of Medan Maimun Palace Tjong A Fie Mansion and Sri Mariamman Temple
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  Parijs van Sumatra (Dutch)
Motto(s):  Bekerja sama dan sama-sama bekerja (Working together and everybody work)
Location within North Sumatra
Medan Location in Sumatra Show map of Sumatra Medan Location in Indonesia Show map of Indonesia
Country	Indonesia
Region	Sumatra
Province	North Sumatra
Founded	1 July 1590
Area
• City	265.1 km2 (102.4 sq mi)
• Urban	478 km2 (185 sq mi)
• Metro	2,831.97 km2 (1,093.43 sq mi)
Elevation	2.5–37.5 m (8–123 ft)
Population  (2023 estimate)
• City	2,494,512 (5th)
• Urban	3,632,000 (4th)
• Urban density	7,598/km2 (19,680/sq mi)
• Metro	4,744,323 (5th)
• Metro density	1,675/km2 (4,340/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Medanese Medanite
Demographics
• Ethnic groups	Native: Malays and Karo Majority: Javanese and Batak Others: Chinese, Minangkabau, Acehnese, Indians, etc.
• Religion	Islam Christianity Buddhism Hinduism Confucianism
Time zone	UTC+7 (IWST)
Area code	(+62) 61
Vehicle registration	BK
Nominal GDP	2023
- Total	Rp 303.312 trillion (4th) US$ 19.899 billion US$ 63,731 billion (PPP)
- Per capita	Rp 105,908 thousand (13th) US$ 8,043 US$ 25,758 (PPP)
- Growth	6.0%
HDI (2023)	0.826 (26th) – very high

Medan is a large and important city in Indonesia. It is the capital and biggest city in the North Sumatra province. Medan is a major hub for trade and culture because it's close to the Strait of Malacca, a busy shipping route. It also has a big port and an international airport.

This city is a financial center for the island of Sumatra and a key entry point to western Indonesia. A lot of the economy in North Sumatra comes from trading, farming, and factories. This includes exports from huge palm oil farms. Medan is one of Indonesia's four main central cities, along with Jakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar. It's the most populated city in Indonesia outside of the island of Java.

In 2023, about 2.5 million people lived in Medan. If you include the areas around it, the population is over 4.7 million. This makes it the fourth largest urban area in Indonesia. The city was founded in 1590 by Guru Patimpus, a man from the Karo group. It was first called Kampung Medan Putri. Later, it became part of the Deli Sultanate. In the late 1800s, the Dutch made Medan a center for plantations, especially for tobacco. This made Medan a very rich city, earning it the nickname "the land of money."

What Does the Name Medan Mean?

The name Medan might come from the Batak Karo word madan. This word means 'healed', 'blessed', or 'recovered'. This idea is linked to Guru Patimpus, the city's founder and a traditional doctor. The name was used for the city as early as the 13th to 15th centuries.

Another popular idea is that Medan comes from the Malay word for 'field'. This Malay word might have come from the Malayalam or Tamil words for 'field' or 'ground'.

A Look Back: History of Medan

Guru Patimpus, the founder of Medan

Medan is in an area that was once the Aru Kingdom, which was active from the 13th to 16th centuries. You can still find old sites near Medan, like Kota Rentang and Kota Cina, which were ancient trading spots.

In the 16th century, Guru Patimpus Sembiring Pelawi, a Karo man, founded Medan village. He built it where the Deli River and Babura River meet. In 1632, Medan became part of the Aceh Sultanate. Later, in 1669, the Deli Sultanate declared its independence, with Medan as part of its territory.

1886 coat of arms of Medan, showing a tobacco plant as the charge

Workers on a tobacco plantation in Medan, around 1900

Sultan Amaluddin leaving the Great Mosque on his coronation day

Crowd in front of Maimun Palace

Dutch Influence and Growth

In the 1860s, the Dutch started to use land in Medan for tobacco farms. A Dutch merchant named Jacob Nienhuys moved his tobacco business here. Other merchants and Chinese brothers also helped start the tobacco industry in Deli. In 1867, they formed the Deli Company, which moved its main office to Medan in 1869. This made Medan a major center for tobacco trade. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 also helped Medan grow quickly.

Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamyah, who ruled from 1873 to 1924, made Medan the capital of his kingdom. He built important landmarks like the Maimun Palace (finished in 1888) and the Great Mosque of Medan (built in 1907). In 1898, a Dutch businessman built the Hotel de Boer for European tourists visiting Medan.

World War II and Independence

During World War II, Japanese forces entered Medan in 1942 and took control of the city. They stayed until their surrender in 1945. After the war, British forces arrived. Indonesia declared its independence on August 17, 1945, and this news reached Medan on September 30.

Conflicts happened between the Allied troops and the Indonesian Army, known as the Battle of Medan. The Allies took control of Medan in April 1946. Later, in 1947, the Dutch set up the State of East Sumatra with Medan as its capital. This state became part of the United States of Indonesia in 1949 and then joined the Republic of Indonesia in 1950.

Modern Developments

Medan continued to grow as a trade center. In the 1970s, the growth of palm oil and rubber farms made Medan a very busy city. Many people from Java and other parts of Sumatra moved to Medan for jobs.

In May 1998, there were student protests in Medan due to economic problems. These protests turned into riots, leading to a curfew for over two weeks.

On September 5, 2005, a plane crashed shortly after taking off from Medan's old airport. This led to the building of a new, safer airport called Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang. It opened in 2013.

Where is Medan Located?

Medan is in the northeastern part of Sumatra island, in the province of North Sumatra. It's almost surrounded by Deli Serdang Regency, with the Strait of Malacca to its north. The city grew because the Deli and Babura rivers flow into the straits, creating a natural harbor for trade.

Medan is quite low, ranging from 2.5 to 37.5 meters (8 to 123 feet) above sea level. To the south, you can see the Barisan Mountains and volcanoes like Sibayak and Sinabung mountains, about 50 to 70 kilometers (31 to 43 miles) away.

What is Medan's Climate Like?

Medan has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it's warm all year round and gets a lot of rain. There isn't a truly dry season. The rainiest time is from September to November. The average temperature in Medan is about 27°C (81°F) throughout the year.

People and Cultures of Medan

Medan is Indonesia's fourth largest city. Its population grew a lot in less than 50 years, from 568,000 in 1968 to 2.1 million in 2010. By 2023, the city had about 2.47 million people. The larger Medan area has over 4.8 million residents.

Who Lives in Medan?

Medan is home to many different ethnic groups. The largest groups are the Batak and Javanese. There are also smaller groups like Malays, Acehnese, Indians, and Chinese.

Bataks are the majority ethnic group in Medan.

• Bataks: There are three main Batak groups in Medan. The native Karo people mostly live in the southern parts of the city. The Toba came to work on Dutch plantations and live in areas like Marindal. The Mandailing moved to Medan after Indonesia became independent, looking for jobs. They mostly live in Medan Tembung. Bataks in Medan speak Batak and Karo.

• Javanese: Many Javanese people in Medan are descendants of workers brought from Java in the 1800s to work on plantations. They mostly speak a local dialect of Javanese.

• Malays: The Malays are native to Medan and have lived there as fishermen since the Aru Kingdom era. They are spread throughout the city and speak Malay.

• Chinese: Chinese people started coming to Deli in the 1500s, and more came in the 1800s and early 1900s for work. Medan has the largest Chinese population in Sumatra. Most speak Medan Hokkien, a local dialect, but many also speak Mandarin.

• Minangkabau: Many Minangkabau came to Medan from the late 1800s to the 1980s. They make up about 10% of the population and are known for their Padang restaurants. They mostly speak Minangkabau.

• Acehnese: Many Acehnese moved to Medan in the late 1970s. They own many Mie Aceh restaurants. Most speak Acehnese.

• Indians: Medan also has a large Tamil Indonesian community. Kampung Madras is a well-known Tamil neighborhood in the city center.

People from different language groups in Medan often communicate using a local slang called Bahasa Medan or Dialek Medan. This dialect of Indonesian includes words from various local languages, especially Malay.

What Religions are Practiced in Medan?

Most people in Medan are Muslim, making up about 65% of the population. About 25% of the people are Christian, including Catholics, Methodists, and Lutherans. Buddhists make up about 9% of the population. There are also smaller groups of Hindu, Confucian, and Sikh communities. Some Batak people follow traditional religions like Pemena.

Medan has many different places of worship:

• Gunung Timur Temple is the city's oldest Taoist temple.
• Maha Vihara Maitreya is the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia.
• Medan Cathedral is the city's oldest church.
• Sri Mariamman Temple is the oldest Hindu temple, built around 1881.
• Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni is a Catholic church built in an Indo-Mogul style.
• Hirohara Shrine was a Shinto shrine built by Japanese migrants. It is now the last Shinto shrine in Southeast Asia.

Medan's Economy and Trade

Belawan Container Terminal

Medan is a very important economic center in Indonesia. It's known for producing and trading goods like cinnamon, tobacco, tea, coffee, rubber, and palm oil. The city also has a growing manufacturing industry that makes cars, machinery, tiles, and paper.

Because of its location, Medan is a main hub for international trade in western Indonesia. It exports goods to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Trade and tourism are also important for the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle. Many big international companies have offices in Medan. The city's fast growth has also caused property prices to go up.

Medan is one of Indonesia's major shopping centers. You can find many shopping malls here, including:

• Cambridge City Square
• Centre Point
• DeliPark Mall
• Focal Point
• Lippo Plaza Mall
• Manhattan Times Square
• Medan Mall
• Plaza Medan Fair
• Ringroad City Walks
• Sun Plaza
• Thamrin Plaza

Delicious Food in Medan

Food stall seller in Jalan Selatpanjang, Medan

Medan is famous for its amazing food and many street food vendors. It's often called "the culinary heaven of Indonesia." You can find many different types of food from various cultures here.

Some popular local dishes include:

• Soto Medan: A tasty stew made with mixed meats and coconut milk, usually served with rice.
• Bika Ambon: A popular local cake. It traditionally tastes like pandanus, but you can also find it in banana, durian, cheese, and chocolate flavors.
• Babi Panggang Karo: Grilled pork served with a special chili sauce called sambal andaliman.
• Tau Kua He Ci: A local Chinese version of rojak, made with fried prawns, vegetables, tofu, and chili sauce.

Popular souvenirs from Medan include local swiss rolls (Bolu Meranti) and dried anchovies.

Places to See in Medan

Medan has many interesting places to visit, including old buildings and museums.

Famous Landmarks

The Tjong A Fie Mansion

You can still see many buildings from the Dutch colonial period in Medan. Some examples are the old Medan City Hall, the Medan Post Office, and the Tjong A Fie Mansion.

The Sultan of Deli, whose role is now mostly ceremonial, still lives in Maimoon Palace. This beautiful palace was built between 1887 and 1891. The Great Mosque of Medan, built in 1906, has a unique Moroccan design.

Museums to Explore

The North Sumatra Museum

• The North Sumatra Museum: This museum, opened in 1982, focuses on artifacts from the different ethnic groups in North Sumatra. It's a great place to learn about the region's history and culture.

• The Bukit Barisan Museum: This military museum, opened in 1971, displays historic weapons used in a 1958 revolt and paintings about the rebellion against the Netherlands.

• The Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery: Opened in 1999, this museum has an amazing collection of taxidermy (stuffed animals).

Getting Around Medan

Medan has many ways to travel, from a modern airport to local public transport.

Airport

Kualanamu International Airport

The Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) opened in 2013, replacing the older Polonia Airport. It's about 39 kilometers (24 miles) from downtown Medan. This airport is special because it's Indonesia's first airport with a direct train link to the city. It's a hub for several airlines and has flights to many cities in Indonesia and other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.

Seaport

The Bandar Deli terminal in Belawan

The Port of Belawan is on the northeast coast of Sumatra, about 19 kilometers (12 miles) north of Medan. It was first built in 1890 for exporting tobacco from Europe. Over time, it grew to handle rubber, palm oil, tea, and coffee.

Today, the port has two main terminals. One handles passengers, with ferry services to cities like Penang and Jakarta. The other, Belawan International Container Terminal (BICT), is one of Indonesia's largest ports for shipping goods.

Roads and Railways

Major roads like the Trans-Sumatran Highway and the Belmera Toll Road pass through Medan. Other toll roads connect the city to the airport and nearby towns.

Sri Lelawangsa commuter rail departing from Medan station

Medan Station is the city's largest train station. There are also smaller stations. Express trains run from Medan to other cities like Tebing Tinggi and Pematang Siantar. There's also a special express train that connects Medan Station directly to Kualanamu International Airport. An elevated railway in Medan helps reduce traffic by lifting train tracks above roads.

Public Transport

The Trans Metro Deli Bus

You can find both auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws in Medan, which are cheap if you agree on the price beforehand. Ride-sharing services like Gojek and Grab are also very popular.

While taxis are available, many locals use sudako, which are shared minibuses. These minibuses follow specific routes, usually shown by numbers on the vehicle.

Medan also has two bus rapid transit systems, Trans Mebidang and Trans Metro Deli, with several routes.

Media and Communication

Television Channels

Medan has many television stations, including national and local channels. TVRI Sumatera Utara is a public station for North Sumatra. Some channels available in Medan include:

Radio Stations

RRI Medan is the only public radio station. There are also stations that broadcast in local languages, like Kardopa Radio (Batak), CityRadio FM (Chinese), and Symphony FM (Malay). Other popular stations include Prambors FM and KISS FM.

Newspapers

Mimbar Umum is Medan's oldest newspaper. Other major newspapers include Waspada and Analisa. There are also national newspapers in Mandarin language and English newspapers like The Jakarta Post.

Literature from Medan

From the 1930s to the 1960s, Medan was known for a type of Indonesian literature called "Roman Medan." These books often told stories about daily life in Medan and the surrounding Deli areas. Many famous romance novel writers grew up in Medan.

Sports in Medan

Football is very popular in Medan. The city has five local football clubs, including PSMS Medan. Teladan Stadium is Medan's main stadium, mostly used for football matches.

Medan also has a Wushu training center and a basketball club called Angsapura Sania.

Healthcare in Medan

Murni Teguh Hospital

Medan has over 30 registered hospitals, including public and private ones. Some of the hospitals are:

Learning in Medan

Medan has many schools and universities for students of all ages.

Schools in Medan

Medan has over 827 elementary schools, 337 middle schools, and 288 high schools. These include public, private, religious, and international schools. Some well-known schools are:

Universities and Colleges

University of North Sumatra

Medan has 72 registered universities, academies, polytechnics, and colleges. Some of these are:

Medan's Global Connections

Consulates in Medan

Medan is home to several consulates and general consulates from other countries. These offices help citizens from those countries and promote good relationships. Some countries with consulates in Medan include:

Sister Cities

Medan has "sister city" relationships with several cities around the world. These partnerships help promote cultural exchange and cooperation. Medan is twinned with:

• George Town, Penang Island, Malaysia (since 1984)
• Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (since 1989)
• Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, South Korea (since 1997)
• Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (since 2002)
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States (since 2014)

Images for kids

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  Al-Mashun Great Mosque (Muslim)

• 

  GPIB Immanuel, Medan (Protestant)

• 

  Maha Vihara Maitreya (Buddhist)

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  Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu)

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  Gunung Timur Temple (Taoist)

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  Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni (Catholic)

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  Hirohara Jinja (formerly Shinto)

See also

In Spanish: Medan para niños