A large island in Indonesia, located in Southeast Asia, known for its rainforests, orangutans, and volcanic activity.
The name likely comes from Sanskrit 'Suvarnadvipa' meaning 'island of gold,' reflecting the region's wealth in spices and minerals. Arab traders called it 'Sumatra,' and the name entered European languages through Portuguese merchants during colonial times. The island's riches made it a major target for European colonial powers.
Sumatra sits on the Ring of Fire and experiences massive earthquakes and tsunamis—it was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The island is also home to the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, which smells like rotting flesh to attract flies for pollination!
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