Samosir

Infobox Islands
name = Samosir

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image caption = Samosir is located in the middle of Lake Toba.
locator
Location map|Sumatra Topography|lat=2.583333|long=98.816667
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location = South East Asia
coordinates= coord|2|35|N|98|49|E|type:isle_scale:400000
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area = convert|630|km2|sqmi
highest mount =
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country = Indonesia
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ethnic groups = Batak

Samosir, or Pulau Samosir, is a large volcanic island in Lake Toba. Lake Toba is located in the north of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

The lake and island were formed after the eruption of a super volcano some 75 000 years ago. [ [http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/southeast_asia/indonesia/toba.html Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia] Volcanoworld, Accessed June 7 2006 ] The island was originally connected to the surrounding caldera wall by a small isthmus, which was cut through to aid navigation.

At 630km², Samosir is also notable as being the largest island within an island, and the fifth largest lake island in the world. [ [http://www.worldislandinfo.com/SUPERLATIVESV2.html Island Superlatives] World Island Information, Accessed June 7 2006 ]

Samosir is a popular tourist destination due to the fantastic vistas it offers. The tourist resorts are concentrated in the Tuktuk area. The island is the centre of the Batak culture and many of this people's artifacts remain on the island.

References