Aceh
Aceh, or in full Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is a special territory (daerah istimewa) in Indonesia. To the east of Aceh is the province Sumatera Utara, with the border running roughly north-south.
Economy
Aceh possesses one of Indonesia's largest reserves of oil and natural gas. A number of multinational corporations, such as Exxon Mobil, maintain a presence in Aceh.
History
It is believed that Islam first entered Southeast Asia through Aceh in the 8th century. In the 18th century, the Islamic kingdom of Aceh was involved in a power struggle between British and Dutch colonial interests.
In 1824, the Anglo-Dutch treaty was signed, effectively giving the Dutch control of British possessions in Sumatra. The Dutch agreed to allow the independence of Aceh, possibly to serve as a buffer state. In 1871, the British allowed the Dutch to invade Aceh, possibly to prevent the French from gaining a foothold in the region. The Dutch found gaining control of Aceh difficult: Acehnese guerrilla activity lasted until World War II.
In 1949, the Dutch handed their colonial possessions to Indonesia, including the Kingdom of Aceh. Indonesian troops were dispatched to annex Aceh, causing resentment to what Acehnese view as foreign occupation. In 1959 the Indonesian government yielded and gave Aceh a "special territory" status, giving it a high degree of autonomy in a number of matters. This placated a number of Acehnese, but a pro-independence movement still remains.
Separatist movement
There is a view among the Acehnese that Jakarta exploits Aceh's natural resources, while leaving the region impoverished. Religion is another factor: the majority of Indonesia's muslims are secular compared to the more devout Acehnese (Acehnese still distance themselves from fundamentalist Islam). Culturally, Aceh is also distinct from mainstream Indonesia. The Indonesian government's policy of culturally 'unifying' the entire archipelago to increase stability is unpopular among Acehnese (as well as a number of other ethnic groups).
In 2002 the separatists and the Indonesian government agreed on a peace plan. However it collapsed in early 2003 and the government imposed martial law and began a large-scale offensive in the region. In November 2003 the martial law was extended for a further six months.
See also: Free Aceh Movement
External link
Municipalities and Regencies
Before 1999, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam had 2 municipalities and 8 regencies.
Municipalities : 1. Banda Aceh 2. Sabang Regencies : 1. Aceh Besar (capital : Jantho) 2. Pidie (capital : Sigli) 3. Aceh Utara (capital : Lhok Seumawe) 4. Aceh Timur (capital : Langsa) 5. Aceh Tengah (capital : Takengon) 6. Aceh Barat (capital : Meulaboh) 7. Aceh Selatan (capital : Tapaktuan) 8. Aceh Tenggara (capital : Kutacane)
But after 1999, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam has been divided in order to ease local government and now it has got 17 regencies & 4 municipalities : Regencies : 1. Aceh Besar (capital : Jantho) 2. Aceh Utara (prepared to be moved to Lhoksukon) 3. Aceh Timur (capital : Langsa) 4. Aceh Barat (capital : Meulaboh) 5. Aceh Selatan (capital : Tapaktuan) 6. Aceh Tenggara (capital : Kutacane) 7. Aceh Jaya (capital : Calang) 8. Aceh Singkil (capital : Singkil) 9. Aceh Tengah (capital : Takengon) 10.Aceh Tamiang (capital : Karang Baru) 11. Aceh Barat Daya (capital : Blang Pidie) 12. Simeulue (capital : Sinabang) 13. Bireuen (capital : Bireuen) 14. Gayo Lues (capital : Blangkejeren) 15. Nagan Raya (capital : Jeuram) 16. Pidie (capital : Sigli) 17. Bener Meriah (capital : Simpang Tige Redelong) Municipalities : 1. Banda Aceh 2. Sabang 3. Lhokseumawe, and 4. Langsa
Meanwhile there are two demands for new autonomous areas: In Aceh Singkil, there is a demand for establishing municipality of Subulussalam and in Pidie, around 8 districts demand to develop a new regency which will be named (?)Meuredu or Pidie Baro. Those are demanded to facilitate development in the areas.
Ethnic group
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is a heterogeneous region which formed by various ethnic groups and languages. The Main ethnic groups are Acehnese who distributed in almost part of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, Gayo (who concentrates in Aceh Tengah, some parts of Aceh Timur, Bener Meriah and Gayo Lues); Alas (concentrates in Aceh Tenggara); Tamiang (who speaks a Malay dialect and concentrates in Aceh Tamiang); Aneuk Jamee (speaks a kind of Minangkabau and lives mostly in Aceh Selatan and Aceh Barat Daya); Kluet (concentrates in Aceh Selatan)and Simeulue (lives mostly in Simeulue Island). There are other groups like Javanese, Batak, Chinese,Indians, Arabs and more.