Banda Aceh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Banda Aceh | |
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  Banda Aceh
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 Banda Aceh
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| Coordinates: 5°33′0″N 95°19′0″E / 5.55°N 95.31667°E | |
| Country |  Indonesia |
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| Province | Aceh |
| Population (2007) | |
| - Total | 260,000 |
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+7) |
| Website | http://www.bandaaceh.go.id/ |
Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city of Aceh, Indonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an elevation of 21 meters. The population was approximately 260,000 in 2006[citation needed]. Banda Aceh is located at the northwestern tip of Indonesia.
The city was originally named Kutaraja, and determined as the provincial capital in 1956.[1] Kuta Raja means "City of the King", in reference to the founding of the Aceh Sultanate from Champa origins. Later its name was changed to Banda Aceh, with the first part of the name coming from the Persian bandar (بندر) meaning "port" or "haven". It is also proudly referred to as the "port to Meccah", as Islam first arrived in Aceh before spreading throughout Southeast Asia.[citation needed]
Until December 26, 2004, Banda Aceh was not frequently the subject of international discussion. On that day the Indian Ocean earthquake struck off the western coast of Sumatra. Banda Aceh was the closest major city to the earthquake's epicenter, and suffered further damage when a tsunami struck shortly afterwards. It was the worst hit area out of all the locations hit. 130,000 people died and many more were injured. The tsunamis resulted from an earthquake of magnitude 9.2 and struck at about 6:58am. The epicenter was about 155 miles off the coast of Banda Aceh[2].
The elected mayor and vice-mayor of Banda Aceh are Mawardi Nurdin and Illiza Saaduddin.
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[edit] Transportation
Sultan Iskandarmuda Airport is located in the city of Aceh.
[edit] Landmarks
[edit] Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
This is one of the most famous landmarks in the city. It was rebuilt in 1875 after it was burnt down in the Aceh war[2].
[edit] References
- ^ Government of Indonesia (25 October 1956), UU 24/1956, Establishment of Regional Autonomy in the Province of Aceh and Replacement of Regulation about the Establishment of the Province of North Sumatra, Indonesia Ministry of Justice and Law, UU 24/1956, http://www.legalitas.org/incl-php/buka.php?d=1900+56&f=uu24-1956.htm, retrieved on 2007-09-02
- ^ a b http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/indonesia/banda-aceh.htm
- Dallal, Tamalyn. 40 Days & 1001 Nights: One Woman's Dance Through Life in the Islamic World..., 2007. ISBN 0979515505 (book). The first part of the journey through the Islamic world goes through Banda Aceh and describes everyday life of the people in this part of Indonesia.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Banda Aceh |
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