West Aceh Regency
West Aceh Regency is a regency in the Aceh special region of Indonesia. It is located on the island of Sumatra. The regency currently covers an area of 2,927.95 square kilometres and according to the 2010 census had a population of 173,558, while the 2015 Census showed a rise to 193,484; the latest estimate is 206,569. These figures include the city of Meulaboh, which was the seat of the regency government until 8 July 2013 when it was separated out as an independent city. The regency is a palm oil-producing area. Some of the people of the regency are Minangkabau-descended Aneuk Jamee.
The regency was among the hardest-hit areas during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
The regency is bordered by the regencies of Aceh Jaya to the west, Pidie to the north, Central Aceh to the northeast, and Nagan Raya to the southeast, and by the Indian Ocean to the southwest.Administrative divisions
The regency was divided administratively into twelve districts, listed below with their areas and populations at the 2010 Census:
| Name | Area
| Population
Census 2010 | No of
villages |
| Johan Pahlawan | 60.9 | 56,050 | 21 |
| Samatiga | 130.9 | 13,322 | 32 |
| Bubon | 75.1 | 6,545 | 17 |
| Arongan Lambalek | 112.3 | 10,609 | 23 |
| Woyla | 156.2 | 12,073 | 43 |
| Woyla Barat | 196.0 | 6,858 | 24 |
| Woyla Timur | 134.3 | 4,138 | 26 |
| Kaway XVI | 199.8 | 18,753 | 42 |
| Meureubo | 129.3 | 26,510 | 26 |
| Pantai Ceuremen | 597.3 | 9,635 | 25 |
| Panton Reu | 132.3 | 5,671 | 19 |
| Sungai Mas | 887.6 | 3,394 | 18 |
However, on 8 July 2013 the city of Meulaboh was separated out of the regency to become an independent city.
