Aceh (/ˈɑːtʃeɪ/; [ʔaˈtɕɛh]) is a special region of Indonesia. Aceh is located at the northern end of Sumatra. Its capital is Banda Aceh and its population is approximately 4,500,000. It is close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India and separated from them by the Andaman Sea.
Aceh is thought to have been the place where the Spread of Islam in Indonesia started, and was a key part of the Spread of Islam in Southeast Asia. In the early seventeenth century the Sultanate of Aceh was the most wealthy, powerful and cultivated state in the Malacca Straits region. Aceh has a history of political independence and fierce resistance to control by outsiders, including the former Dutch colonists and the Indonesian government.
Aceh has substantial natural resources, including oil and natural gas—some estimates put Aceh gas reserves as being the largest in the world. Relative to most of Indonesia, it is a religiously conservative area.[4] It has the highest proportion of Muslims in Indonesia, mainly living according to Sharia customs and laws.[5]
Aceh was the closest point of land to the epicenter of the massive 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake,
and tsunami, which devastated much of the western coast of the
province. Approximately 170,000 Indonesians were killed or went missing
in the disaster.[6] The disaster helped reach the peace agreement between the government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Aceh was first known as Aceh Darussalam (1511–1959) and then later as the Daerah Istimewa Aceh (1959–2001), Nanggroë Aceh Darussalam (2001–2009) and Aceh (2009–present). Past spellings of Aceh include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin.
Aceh is rich of events, attraction and unique cultures that it will
fascinate anyone. Aceh is also rich in natural beauty, waves and sea
garden, which is suitable for diving. Some of most beautiful Aceh
tourism and historical sites and beaches have been damaged by the
massive earthquake and Dec '04 Tsunami. The name of Aceh Darussalam is
come from Aceh language means the welfare and peace Aceh country.
Geographically
Aceh is surrounded by:
North side: Malacca Strait
East Side: North Sumatra Province
South and the west Side: Indian Ocean.
The capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh. The Special Province of Aceh with its area of 57, 365.57 square kilometers covering 1.17 per cent of Indonesia is situated at the northern tip of Sumatra Island, between latitudes 2
North side: Malacca Strait
East Side: North Sumatra Province
South and the west Side: Indian Ocean.
The capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh. The Special Province of Aceh with its area of 57, 365.57 square kilometers covering 1.17 per cent of Indonesia is situated at the northern tip of Sumatra Island, between latitudes 2
In the central part of this province runs Bukit Barisan Mountain
ranges with Tangse, Gayo, and Alas uplands. Also, there are several
mountains found in the region such as Pasee Mountain with its peak,
Geureudong" (2,595 m), and Peut Sagoe (2,708 m), Gayo Mountain range
with its peak Burni Telong (2,566 m), and Ucap Malu Mountain range
(3,187 m). Other mountains include: Alas mountain with its peak
Abong-abong (3,015 m) Leuser (3,466 m), Aceh" Raya Mountain range with
its peak Seulawah Agam, (1,762 m) and Seulawah Inong Mountain (868 m).
The area also has several lakes such as Laut Tawar Lake in Central
Aceh with an area of 60 square kilometers and a height of 1,225 meters
above sea level, and also lake Aneuk Laot in Sabang (Weh Island).
Besides the mountains and lakes, there are also several major
and lesser rivers, which run into both of Malacca Strait or into the
Indonesian Ocean. Among the rivers running into Malacca Straits are:
Krueng Aceh (Aceh River) in the Greater Aceh Regency, Krueng Peusangan
and Krueng Jambo Aye in North Aceh Regency, Krueng Baro in Pidie
Regency, and Krueng Peureulak and Krueng Tamiang in East Aceh Regency;
The rivers running to the Indonesian Qcean are Krueng Teunom and Krueng
Meureubo in West Aceh Regency, Krueng Kluet, Krueng Simpang Kiri and
Krueng Simpang Kanan in South Aceh Regency.
On the west and south coasts, there are both large and small
islands, some of which are inhabited and others, which are uninhabited.
These islands are Weh Island, Breuh Island, Nasi Island, Simeulue Island
and Tuangke Island (Banyak Island).
Weather & Climate
The dry season in Aceh usually lasts from March through August.
The rainy season starts in September to last until February. The average
annual rainfall ranges from 2,000 mm to 3,000 mm, with temperatures
ranging from 25 to 30° Celsius. In the highlands, the average
temperature is 200 Celsius. The amount of rainfall varies between all
parts of Aceh. The western and southern coasts have more rainfall than
the other parts. The weather along the coastal areas is usually warm. In
the mountains tend to be cooler. The humidity varies from 65 to 75
percent. The wind from the west begins in June through November while
the wind from the east begins in December through May.