Administration
Within the country, Aceh is governed not as a province but as a special territory (daerah istimewa), an administrative designation intended to give the area increased autonomy from the central government in Jakarta.
Administratively, the province is subdivided into 18 regencies (kabupaten) and 5 autonomous cities (kota). The capital and the largest city is Banda Aceh, located on the coast near the northern tip of Sumatra. Some local areas are pushing to create new autonomous areas, usually with the stated goal of enhancing local control over politics and development.
| Name | Capital | Est. | Statute | Area (in km²) | Population 2010 Census |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabang (city) | 1967 | 153.00 | 30,647 | ||
| Banda Aceh (city) | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 61.36 | 224,209 | |
| Aceh Besar Regency | Jantho | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 2,969.00 | 350,225 |
| Aceh Jaya Regency | Calang | 2002 | UU 4/2002 | 3,817.00 | 76,892 |
| Pidie Regency | Sigli | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 2,856.52 | 378,278 |
| Pidie Jaya Regency | Meureudu | 2007 | UU 7/2007 | 574.44 | 132,858 |
| Bireuen Regency | Bireuen | 1999 | UU 48/1999 | 1,901.22 | 389,024 |
| North Aceh (Aceh Utara) Regency | Lhoksukon | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 3,236.86 | 529,746 |
| Lhokseumawe (city) | 2001 | UU 2/2001 | 181.06 | 170,504 | |
| Bener Meriah Regency | Simpang Tiga Redelong | 2003 | UU 41/2003 | 1,457.34 | 121,870 |
| Central Aceh (Aceh Tengah) Regency | Takengon | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 4,315.14 | 175,329 |
| West Aceh (Aceh Barat) Regency | Meulaboh | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 2,927.95 | 172,896 |
| Nagan Raya Regency | Suka Makmue | 2002 | UU 4/2002 | 3,928.00 | 138,670 |
| Southwest Aceh (Aceh Barat Daya) Regency | Blangpidie | 2002 | UU 4/2002 | 2,334.01 | 125,991 |
| Gayo Lues Regency | Blangkejeren | 2002 | UU 4/2002 | 5,719.57 | 79,592 |
| East Aceh (Aceh Timur) Regency | Idi Rayeuk | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 6,040.60 | 359,280 |
| Langsa (city) | 2001 | UU 3/2001 | 262.41 | 148,904 | |
| Aceh Tamiang Regency | Karang Baru | 2002 | UU 4/2002 | 1,939.72 | 250,992 |
| Southeast Aceh (Aceh Tenggara) Regency | Kutacane | 1974 | UU 7/1974 | 4,189.26 | 178,852 |
| South Aceh (Aceh Selatan) Regency | Tapaktuan | 1956 | UU 24/1956 | 3,851.69 | 202,003 |
| Subulussalam (city) | 2007 | UU 8/2007 | 1,011.00 | 67,316 | |
| Aceh Singkil Regency (including the Banyak Islands) |
Singkil | 1999 | UU 14/1999 | 2,597.00 | 102,213 |
| Simeulue Regency | Sinabang | 1999 | UU 48/1999 | 2,051.48 | 80,279 |
Notes:
- UU is an abbreviation from Undang-Undang (the Indonesia statute of law).
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