Aceh Singkil Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Aceh Singkil) is a regency in the Aceh province of Indonesia. It is situated largely on the island of Sumatra, but also includes the offshore Banyak Islands, the largest of which is Tuangku (Great Banyak), with the principal town of Alaban. The regency was created on 20 April 1999 from the former southern districts of South Aceh Regency. Until 2007 it included the large town of Subulussalam, but on 2 January of that year that town was split off to become an autonomous city. The seat of the Aceh Singkil Regency government is at the port of Singkil on the Sumatra coast. The Regency now covers an area of 1,857.88 km2, and had a population of 102,509 at the 2010 Census,[2] rising to 114,326 at the 2015 Census and to 126,514 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 135,435.[1]
Administrative divisions
At the time of the 2010 Census, the regency was divided administratively into ten districts (kecamatan). Subsequent to 2010, the Banjak Islands District was divided into two, with a new Western Banjak Islands District (Kecamatan Pulau Banjak Barat) being carved out of the existing district, the residual district now essentially restricted to Pulau Balai. The districts are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages (all classed as kampong) and the number of offshore islands in each district, and its post code.
Note: (a) The 2010 population of Pulau Banyak Barat District is included in the 2010 figure for Pulau Banyak District, from which it was split out.
Tourism - Banyak Islands
Banyak means "many" because there are 99 islands, of which only a few are inhabited. Yachts from Nias Island or directly from abroad carries foreign tourists to Big Palambak Island or Small Palambak Island for fresh water and snorkelling. Tailena Island, Rago-rago Island, Panjang (Long) Island and Matahari (Sun) Island are also suitable for scuba diving, while in Tuwanku (My Master) Island a conservation area for penyu hijau (green sea turtle) and penyu belimbing (leatherback sea turtle) is established.[4]
