South Tapanuli Regency

**South Tapanuli** (, abbreviated as **Tapsel**) is a regency located in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its seat is the town of Sipirok. The regency was originally very large, containing thousands of towns and villages, including the city of Padang Sidempuan. The areas that separated from South Tapanuli Regency are the new regencies of Mandailing Natal (created on 23 November 1998), Padang Lawas Utara, and Padang Lawas (both created on 17 July 2007), plus the city (kota) of Padang Sidempuan (created on 21 June 2001). After the division, the regency seat moved from Padang Sidempuan to Sipirok.

The regency covers an area of 4,355.35 square kilometers and had a population of 264,108 at the 2010 Census and 300,911 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid-2023 was 312,540 (comprising 157,340 males and 155,200 females). These figures exclude the city of Padang Sidempuan, which is virtually surrounded by South Tapanuli territory but is independently administered.

## Administration

At the 2010 Census, the regency was divided into twelve districts (_kecamatan_). Subsequently, three additional districts (Tano Tombangan Angkola, Angkola Muara Tais, and Angkola Sangkunur) have been created by the division of existing districts. The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as of mid-2023. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centers, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 211 rural _desa_ and 37 urban _kelurahan_), and its postcode.
|Code|District (_kecamatan_)|Area (km²)|Population Census 2010|Population Census 2020|Population Estimate mid 2023|Admin center|No. of _desa_|No. of _kelurahan_|Postcode|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|12.03.07|Batang Angkola|211.36|32,129|21,323|21,829|Pintu Padang|17|4|22773|
|12.03.21|Sayur Matinggi|295.11|37,655|26,014|26,844|Sayur Matinggi|18|1|22774|
|12.03.30|Tano Tombangan Angkola|210.30|(a)|15,548|15,883|Situmba|16|1|22775|
|12.03.32|Angkola Muara Tais|149.70|(b)|13,766|14,131|Muara Tais|13|2|22733|
|12.03.03|Angkola Timur (East Angkola)|235.16|18,553|21,294|22,139|Pargarutan|13|2|22733|
|12.03.06|Angkola Selatan (South Angkola)|496.57|27,500|32,757|34,733|Simarpinggan|13|4|22732|
|12.03.01|Angkola Barat (West Angkola)|104.52|41,254|25,206|25,519|Sitinjak|12|2|22735|
|12.03.31|Angkola Sangkunur|254.77|(c)|21,740|22,937|Simataniari|8|2|22734|
|12.03.02|Batang Toru|380.04|28,595|33,760|35,390|Batang Toru|19|4|22738|
|12.03.20|Marancar|89.11|9,351|10,359|10,660|Pasar Sempurna|11|1|22737|
|12.03.29|Muara Batang Toru|308.01|11,401|15,806|17,360|Huta Raja|6|3|22736|
|12.03.04|Sipirok|409.37|30,435|33,326|34,179|Sipirok|34|6|22739|
|12.03.14|Arse|265.90|7,872|8,677|8,916|Arse Nauli|8|2|22748|
|12.03.05|Saipar Dolok Hole|540.57|12,674|13,940|14,315|Sipagimbar|12|2|22759|
|12.03.22|Aek Bilah|404.85|6,396|7,395|7,705|Biru|12|-|22758|
|colspan="10"|_Notes:_|||||||||
|colspan="10"|(a) the 2010 population of the new Tano Tombangan Angkola District is included in the figure for Sayur Matinggi District, from which it was split off.|||||||||
|colspan="10"|(b) the 2010 population of the new Angkola Muara Tais District is included in the figure for Batang Angkola District, from which it was split off.|||||||||
|colspan="10"|(c) the 2010 population of the new Angkola Sangkunur District is included in the figure for the Angkola Barat District, from which it was split off.|||||||||

## Geography

To the north, the district is bordered by the Central Tapanuli Regency and North Tapanuli Regency. The regency borders the Padang Lawas Regency in the east, and to the north, the west, and the south it borders the Mandailing Natal Regency. In the middle of the South Tapanuli Regency is Padang Sidempuan, which is surrounded by this regency but is separately administered.

## Attractions

South Tapanuli is known for its natural attractions, including the **Sipirok Hot Springs**, **Marsabut Waterfall**, and **Aek Sijorni Waterfall**. The regency also has cultural sites like the ancient traditional houses of **Angkola** and **Mandailing** ethnic groups.

## Economy

The economy of South Tapanuli Regency is primarily based on agriculture, with palm oil, rubber, and coffee being the major commodities. Mining activities, particularly gold mining in the Batang Toru region, also play a significant role in the regency's economy.

## Other websites

- Official Website of South Tapanuli Regency

## Infobox (settlement)

- **name**: South Tapanuli Regency
- **native name**: Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan
- **native name lang**: id
- **settlement type**: Regency
- **image skyline**: Welcome gate to South Tapanuli Regency - Gapura Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan (Tapsel-Tapteng) (01).jpg
- **image caption**: Welcome gate to South Tapanuli Regency
- **image shield**: Lambang Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan.png
- **shield alt**: Coat of arms of South Tapanuli Regency
- **image map**: Lokasi Sumatra Utara Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan.svg
- **map caption**: Location of South Tapanuli in North Sumatra
- **pushpin map**: Indonesia
- **pushpin map caption**: Location in Indonesia
- **subdivision type**: Country
- **subdivision type1**: Province
- **seat type**: Regency seat
- **seat**: Sipirok
- **leader title**: Regent
- **leader name**: Dolly Parlindungan Putra Pasaribu, S.Pt., M.M.
- **leader title1**: Vice Regent
- **leader name1**: Rasyid Asyraf Dongoran, S.Si., M.Si.
- **leader title2**: Chairman of Regency's Council of Representatives
- **leader name2**: Husin Sogot Simatupang (Gerindra)
- **leader title3**: Vice Chairmen of Regency's Council of Representatives
- **leader name3**: Rahmad Nasution (Golkar) and Borkat (National Mandate Party)
- **area total km2**: 4355.35
- **population as of**: mid 2023 estimate
- **population total**: 312540
- **population density km2**: auto
- **timezone**: WIB
- **utc offset**: +7
- **website**: [http://www.tapselkab.go.id/ www.tapselkab.go.id]