Sabang is a city located on Pulau Weh and is the gateway to the western tip of Indonesia. Sabang has an area of 156.3 square kilometers with the highest peak 617 meters above sea level. Because it is located on Pulau Weh, many people call Pulau Weh as Pulau Sabang. Weh Island itself is the main and largest island separated from mainland Aceh by the Bengal Strait.
Apart from being directly adjacent to 3 countries namely Malaysia, Thailand and India, Sabang is also a very unique area for Indonesia. That's because this is where you can find the Zero Kilometer monument which is the origin of the term, "From Sabang to Merauke".
Currently, Sabang is transformed into an Indonesian marine tourism destination that offers a paradise for divers. Here you can enjoy the underwater world by diving to find hundreds of species of fish and a wealth of natural coral reefs that are not planted or cultivated.
The waters in Sabang are where the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait meet. Currently, Sabang is also equipping its tourist attractions with the organization of the Sabang International Regatta.
The charm of Sabang offers the beauty of a beautiful coastline, blue and clean sea water and green trees. However, not only marine tourism can be found in Sabang. There are mountains, lakes, beaches, seas, and forests that are still natural and awake waiting to be visited. Not to mention that your interaction with the local community will provide a memorable experience.
Sabang is a beautiful small city with a hilly land structure so that local residents call the city of Sabang by two names, namely the lower city and the upper city.
Sabang consists of five large and small islands, namely Weh Island as the largest island, Rubiah Island, Klah Island, Seulako Island, and Rondo Island. The population is about 26,000 people. Sabang is divided into two sub-districts and 72 villages. The topography includes lowlands, undulating land, hilly and mountainous, and rocks along the coast.
The border of Sabang in the east is the Malacca Strait, in the west with the Indonesian Ocean, in the north with the Malacca Strait, and in the south with the Indonesian Ocean.
During the Aceh Kingdom, the Pulau Weh area itself was a place of expulsion or "geupeuweh" for someone who was subject to severe punishment from the kingdom. The name geupeuweh was then attached to the name of this island and over time the pronunciation shortened to Weh and interpreted as a separate island.
The word "sabang" comes from the Acehnese language "saban" which means equal rights and position in all things. This is related to the existence of Sabang, which used to be visited by many outsiders to open gardens (seuneubôk) or other businesses.