South Tapanuli Regency

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)
Regency
Welcome gate to South Tapanuli Regency
Coat of arms
Location of South Tapanuli in North Sumatra
Country	Indonesia
Province	North Sumatra
Regency seat	Sipirok
Government
• Regent	Dolly Parlindungan Putra Pasaribu, S.Pt., M.M.
• Vice Regent	Rasyid Asyraf Dongoran, S.Si., M.Si.
• Chairman of Regency's Council of Representatives	Husin Sogot Simatupang (Gerindra)
• Vice Chairmen of Regency's Council of Representatives	Rahmad Nasution (Golkar) and Borkat (National Mandate Party)
Area
• Total	4,355.35 km2 (1,681.61 sq mi)
Population  (mid 2023 estimate)[1]
• Total	312,540
• Density	72/km2 (190/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (WIB)
Website	www.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

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

Location

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

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

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

Archaeology

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

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

1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1203)
2. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
3. 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

• 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