Medan, is the capital of North Sumatra, and is the city\'s largest commercial as well as economic center in Sumatra. More than just a business destination, it is also known as a gateway to North Sumatra, where adventure seekers come to experience the beauty of the highlands of Lake Toba or enter the wild jungles of Sumatra. Its once glorious history as a bountiful plantation for the Dutch during their colonization has left the city with European inspired architecture that still stand to this day. As a result, the city is a blend of modern lifestyle with a colonial heritage.
The once sleepy river port on sungai Siak, has transformed into one of Indonesia’s oil capitals, with all the hustle and bustle of a modern city. Long before today\'s affordable air travel, it served as a transit point for tourists between ferries from Singapore. Following the Americans striking oil back in the 1930\'s, Pekanbaru\'s economy was heavily dependent on oil revenues and now its not uncommon to have a conversation with a Western oil executive, on a business trip when visiting.