Bukittinggi (Indonesian for "high hill") is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at 0°19′S 100°22′E, near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.

[edit] History

Image:Fort de Kock in 1826.jpg

The city was also known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. During the Indonesian National Revolution, Bukittinggi was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi.

In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.

[edit] Tourism

It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Attractions within the city include:

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Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
Lobang Jepang (Japanese Caves) - a network of underground bunkers & tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II
Jam Gadang - a large clock tower built by the Dutch in 1926.
Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah markets
Taman Bundo Kanduang park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (literally: big house, with the distinctive Minangkabau roof architecture) used as a museum of Minangkabau culture, and a zoo. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh pedestrian overpass.

[edit] External links

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Indonesia Portal

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Pemerintah Bukittinggi - Bukittinggi City Council (Indonesian)
Bukittinggi travel guide from Wikitravel

Administrative areas in West Sumatra	Image:West Sumatra Symbol.png
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