Padang, Indonesia

From Freepedia

Image:Padang location.png Padang is the capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It has a population of roughly 800,000 people, mostly speakers of the Minangkabau language. It is located at 0°57′ S 100°21′ E.

Padang's Teluk Bayur harbor is the largest and busiest harbor on the west coast of Sumatra. The city is served by Tabing Airport, and is a common transit point for surfers travelling to the Mentawai Islands. In 2005, a new airport named Minangkabau International Airport (in the Ketaping-region) has been opened.

The city is famous throughout Indonesia for its spicy food. Padang-style restaurants are common throughout the country. Padang food is served in small portions of various dishes, in a way similar to tapas or mezedes, but constituting, with rice, a complete meal. The best known Padang dish is rendang, a spicy meat stew.

Andalas University is the oldest University in Sumatra, and it is located 15 Km from the center of Padang.