Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Padang Highlands
region, Indonesia
Also known as: Minangkabau Highlands
Padang Highlands, region near the western coast of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is part of the Barisan Mountains of Sumatera Barat provinsi (“province”). The highest among several volcanoes in the highlands is Mount Marapi (9,485 feet [2,891 m]). A favourite resort area because of its climate, the region has superb scenery and is the source of four major rivers (the Rokan, Kampar, Inderagiri, and Batanghari). The Umbilin coalfields are also located in the region. Good roads connect with Padang, Medan, and Pakanbaru. The two major towns of the region are Bukittinggi and Sawahlunto, the latter connected by rail to Padang. The region produces rice, coffee, coconuts, tobacco, and tea and is homeland to the Minangkabau people.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.