Introduction to aceh

Aceh is a province in Indonesia. Aceh is located the westernmost of sumatra island and is the most western province in Indonesia. Its capital is banda aceh. The population of the province is about 4,500,000. Aceh is regarded as the starting place for the spread of Islam in Indonesia and plays an important role in the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Sultanate of Aceh was the richest, strongest, and most prosperous state in the Strait of Malacca. Aceh's history is colored by political freedom and strong resistance to the control of foreigners, including former Dutch colonialists and the Indonesian government. When compared with other provinces, Aceh is a very conservative region (upholding religious values). The percentage of Muslim population is the highest in Indonesia and they live according to Islamic shariah. Unlike most other provinces in Indonesia, Aceh has its own autonomy regulated for historical reasons. Aceh has abundant natural resources, including petroleum and natural gas. Some analysts estimate Aceh's natural gas reserves are the largest in the world. Aceh is also famous for its forests located along the Bukit Barisan range from Kutacane in Southeast Aceh to Ulu Masen in Aceh Jaya. A national park called Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL) was established in Southeast Aceh. Aceh is the land closest to the epicenter of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. After the earthquake, tsunami waves hit most of the province's west coast. About 170,000 people were killed or lost by the disaster. This disaster also encouraged the creation of a peace agreement between the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).