Story

Padang Lawas is a regency in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 3,912.18 km2, and had a population of 226,807 at the 2010 Census and 261,011 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid 2025 was 285,704 (comprising 143,305 males and 142,399 females). Its administrative seat is the town of Sibuhuan in Barumun District. Padang Lawas Regency was created on 17 July 2007 (along with a separate North Padang Lawas Regency) from southeastern parts of the South Tapanuli Regency. It is the only regency in this province that borders two other provinces, West Sumatra and Riau.