JAM GADANG |
Bukittinggi (Indonesian: Kota
Bukittinggi, Minangkabau: Bukiktinggi,
Jawi: بوكيق تيڠڬي), is the second
largest city in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 117,000
people and an area of 25.24 km². It is in the Minangkabau Highlands,
90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. The whole area is directly adjacent to the
Agam Regency, and is located at 0°18′20″S 100°22′9″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° to 24.9°C. The city is the birthplace of some of the
founders of the Republic
of Indonesia, such as Mohammad Hatta and Assaat.
Bukittinggi was formerly
known as Fort de Kock and was
once dubbed "Parijs van Sumatera". The city was the capital of Indonesia
during the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia
(PDRI). Before it became the capital of PDRI, the city was a centre of
government, both at the time of the Dutch East Indies
and during the Japanese colonial period.
Bukittinggi is also known
as a leading tourist city in West Sumatera. It
is sister cities with Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The Jam Gadang, a clock tower located in the heart of
the city, is a symbol for the city and a well-visited tourist spot.
TRADITIONAL LONG HOUSE ( RUMAH GADANG ) |