Gunungsitoli is a city located in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. It is situated on the north-eastern side of Nias, an island in the Indian Ocean located west of Sumatra. As the only city on Nias, it serves as the primary hub for the island and its surrounding smaller islands.
The city's history dates back to the 1600s when the Dutch colonial administration established a series of fortifications there. These structures were built to defend against frequent raids from various Nias tribes, particularly those originating from the southern parts of the island. Until 1914, Gunungsitoli was the only area on the island that was under effective Dutch control.