Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra

Gunung Leuser National Park is part of the World Heritage Site, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra along with Bukit Barisan Selatan and Kerinci Seblat national parks. It derives its name from Mount Leuser, a 3,119　m high peak located in the region. The national park also houses an orang-utan sanctuary at Bukit Lawang. Gunung Leuser National Park is a wonderful place for trekking.

Geography

Gunung Leuser National Park is nestled in the Barisan mountain range and covers an area of 7,927　km². Its exotic landscape is considered to be the largest wilderness area in South-East Asia. Most of the topography is very steep, above 1,500m of elevation. There are eleven peaks that have an elevation over 2,700m.

Ecosystem

This national park offers protection to various ecosystems. It is a home to the Sumatran Orang-utans, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, siamang, mainland serow, sambar deer and leopard cat. Gunung Leuser National Park supports the fishery sector heavily with its aquaculture. It not only supplies food material for the locals but also brings in a great chunk of foreign exchange.