Sumatra: Timeline

600   Sumatra, Java, and the surrounding islands are converted to Buddhism Buddhism

Buddhism is a dharmic [i], non-theistic [i] religion [i], a way of life, a p ... 

.

650   Hindu Hindu

A Hindu , as per modern definition, is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of [[Hinduism]... 

 empire in Sumatra.

1025   Srivijaya, a partly Buddhist kingdom based on Sumatra, is attacked by the Chola empire of southern India in a dispute over trading rights in South-east Asia. It survives, but declines in importan

1602   James Lancaster's East India Company British East India Company

The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as "John Company", was a joint-stock company [i] ... 

 fleet arrives at Achin (now Aceh), Sumatra to deal with the local ruler. Having defeated Portugal Portugal

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic is located in southwestern Europe [i] on the Iberian Peninsula [i] ... 

's ally, the ruler is happy to do business, and Lancaster seizes a large Portuguese Galleon Galleon

A galleon was a large, multi-decked sailing ship [i] used primarily by the nations of Europe [i] from th ... 

 and loots it.

2004   One of the worst natural disaster Natural disaster

A natural disaster is the consequence of the combination of a natural hazard and human activities... 

s in recorded history hits southeastern Asia Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent [i] or region, depending on the definition.... 

 when the strongest earthquake in 40 years 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake... 

 hits the entire Indian Ocean region. The massive 9.3 magnitude earthquake Earthquake

An earthquake is a phenomenon [i] that results from and is powered by the sudden release of stored energ ... 

, epicentered just off the west coast of the Indonesian Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

 island of Sumatra, generates enormous tsunami Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of waves [i] when a body of water [i], such as an ocean [i] ... 

 waves that crash into the coastal areas of a number of nations including Thailand Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

, India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka , is a tropical [i] island nation [i] ... 

, the Maldives Maldives

Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation [i] consisting of a group of atoll [i] ... 

, Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation [i] of 13 states [i] in Southeast Asia [i], formed in 1963. ... 

, Myanmar Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country in geographical area in mainland ... 

, Bangladesh Bangladesh

Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

, Burma Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country in geographical area in mainland ... 

 and Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

. The official death toll in the affected countries stands at 186,983 while more than 40,000 people are still missing.

2005   The 2005 Sumatran earthquake strikes off Sumatra, 3 months after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake... 

. At a magnitude of 8.7 it is the second largest earthquake since 1965.