Sabang is a city located on Pulau Weh and is a gateway in the western tip of Indonesia. Sabang has an area of 156.3 km² with the highest peak of 617 meters above sea level. Because it is located on Pulau Weh many people call Pulau Weh as Sabang Island. Weh Island itself is the main and largest island separated from the mainland of Aceh by the Strait of Bengal.
Besides directly adjacent to the 3 countries of Malaysia, Thailand and India, Sabang is also a very unique area for Indonesia. That's because here you can find Zero Kilometer monument which is the forerunner of the term, "From Sabang to Merauke".
Currently Sabang transformed into a marine tourism destination Indonesia that offers a paradise for divers. Here you can enjoy the underwater nature by diving to discover hundreds of species of fish and the richness of natural reefs that are not planted or cultivated. The waters in Sabang are the meeting place of the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait. Currently Sabang equip tourist attraction by organizing Sabang International Regatta.
Sabang's charm offers the beauty of a beautiful coastline, nan blue and clean sea water and green trees. However, not only marine tourism can be found in Sabang. There are mountains, lakes, beaches, sea, as well as the forest is still natural and awake waiting to be visited. Not to mention your interaction with the local community will provide a memorable experience.
Sabang is a beautiful small town with a hilly land structure so locals call the city of Sabang with two names namely the city down and the city top.
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 inhabitants. The total area of the city is 153 km² which is divided into 2 Subdistricts, 18 Settlements, and 72 Villages. Topography includes lowland, bumpy, hilly and mountainous terrain, and rocks along the coast.
The Sabang border to the east is the Malacca Strait, west to the Indonesian Ocean, north to the Malacca Strait, and the south by the Indonesian Ocean.
At the time of the Kingdom of Aceh, Weh Island area itself is a place of expulsion or moved "geupeuweh" for someone who bears heavy penalties from the kingdom. The name geupeuweh is then attached to the name of this island and along with the time then the pronunciation abbreviates to weh and is defined as a separate island.
The word sabang comes from the Acehnese word 'saban' which means the same rights and position in all things. This is attributed to the existence of Sabang, which was once visited by many outsiders to open the garden (seuneubôk) or other business. The immigrants come from different regions with different cultures of good attitudes, values, and customs. Gradually assimilation occurs where the various differences eventually fade and their positions become the same. This term saban has long been attached to Weh Island which then slowly changed its mention to 'sabang'.
Sabang is the only area of the Kingdom of Aceh that can be fully controlled by the Government of the Netherlands East Indies. Since 1881, Sabang is designated as a natural harbor called Kolen Station. The Dutch East Indies government then built various facilities and infrastructure. Especially after 1887 when Sabang Haven obtained the authority to build a port supporting facility. In 1895, Sabang became a Vrij Haven free port area run by Sabang Maatschaappij (Maatschaappij Zeehaven en Kolen Station). At that time the name Sabang increasingly popular in the archipelago and internationally as a port of international trade circulation.