South Tapanuli (Tapanuli Selatan in Indonesian Language, abbreviated Tapsel) is a regency in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Its seat is the town of Sipirok. This regency was originally very large and contained hundreds of towns and villages, including the city of Padang Sidempuan. The areas that have 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), all lying to the south-east of the residual South Tapanuli Regency, 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 kilometres and had a population of 264,108 at the 2010 censusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 300,911 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 328,964 (comprising 165,512 males and 163,452 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1203) These figures exclude the city of Padang Sidempuan, which is virtually surrounded by South Tananuli territory but is independently administered.

There are several attractions in the regency, including Lake Marsabut and Lake Siais. The language used by the people is the Angkola Batak language. The majority religion of the population is Islam. An airport is located at Aek Godang in Hulu Sihapas District, North Padang Lawas Regency.

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 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 2020 Census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates as of mid 2025.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 February 2026, Kabupaten Tapanuli Selatan Dalam Angka 2026 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1203) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 211 rural desa and 37 urban kelurahan), and its postcode.

Kode Wilayah Name ofDistrict(kecamatan) Areain km2 Pop'nCensus2010 Pop'nCensus2020 Pop'nEstimatemid 2025Admin centre No.ofdesaNo.ofkelurahanPostcode 12.03.07 Batang Angkola 211.3632,12921,32322,834Pintu Padang17422773 12.03.21 Sayur Matinggi 295.1137,65526,01427,991Sayur Matinggi18122774 12.03.30 Tano TombanganAngkola210.30(a)15,99316,472Situmba16122775 12.03.32 Angkola Muara Tais 149.70(b)13,76615,164Muara Tais132 22733 12.03.03 Angkola Timur(East Angkola) 235.1618,55321,29424,341Pargarutan13222733 12.03.06 Angkola Selatan(South Angkola) 496.5727,50032,75734,403Simarpinggan13422732 12.03.01 Angkola Barat(West Angkola) 104.5241,25425,20626,845Sitinjak12222735 12.03.31 Angkola Sangkunur 254.77(c)21,74023,869Simataniari8222734 12.03.02 Batang Toru 380.0428,59533,76038,037Batang Toru19422738 12.03.20 Marancar 89.119,35110,35911,419Pasar Sempurna11122737 12.03.29 Muara Batang Toru 308.0111,40115,80618,766Huta Raja6322736 12.03.04 Sipirok 409.3730,43533,32636,916Sipirok34622739 12.03.14 Arse 265.907,8728,6779,211Arse Nauli8222748 12.03.05 Saipar Dolok Hole 540.5712,67413,94015,167Sipagimbar12222759 12.03.22 Aek Bilah 404.856,3967,3957,529Biru12-22758 Totals 4,355.35263,815300,911328,964Sipirok21137

Notes: (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. (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. (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

Location 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 Tananuli Regency is Padang Sidimpuan City, which is surrounded by this Regency but separately administered.

Sights

Sights include a waterfall in Damparan Hauntas, in Saipar Dolok Hole District.

Archaeology The Padang Lawas archaeological site is partly located in the regency. The site covers approximately 1,500 km2 in this regency and in the Padang Lawas and North Padang Lawas regencies.

Wildlife The critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan lives in the region. It was described as a distinct species in 2017 and represents the first extant species of great ape to be described since the bonobo in 1929. Scientists have identified a new species of great ape, Pongo tapanuliensis or Tapanuli orangutan, but fear its survival is already in doubt as its habitat is under threat.

References

Sources Simanjuntak, Truman, M. Hisyam, Bagyo Prasetyo, Titi Surti Nastiti (éds.), Archaeology: Indonesian perspective : R.P. Soejono's festschrift, LIPI, Jakarta, 2006,