Tanjungbalai (city)

Tanjungbalai is a coastal city located in North Sumatra province, Indonesia. Situated on the Asahan River near its mouth on the Strait of Malacca, it serves as an important trading hub for the region. The city is administratively an autonomous city (kota), separate from the surrounding Asahan Regency, although it is geographically situated within the regency. Tanjungbalai's economy is largely based on fishing, trade, and small industries. The population is diverse, comprising primarily Malay, Chinese, and Batak ethnic groups, each contributing to the city's cultural landscape. Historically, Tanjungbalai has been an important port for the export of agricultural products and other commodities from the hinterland.