Sabang

Sabang – Indonesia's kilometer zero' city

The popular expression "from Sabang to Merauke" is used as a shorthand to refer to Indonesia's 5,245 kilometer territorial distance from west to east. The western half of this expression is the 112.12 square kilometer island city of Sabang in Aceh province. With its population of 42,888 as of 2023, Sabang by far has the smallest population of any city in the archipelago. Its location being at the westernmost tip of the country provides it with more than just a one-of-a-kind location. It has also bestowed the island with an environment filled with world-class diving and snorkeling sites.

There is something for everyone with all of Sabang's multitude of aquatic destinations. The entire island has more than 20 different diving spots. Diving off of Iboih and Gapang beaches will allow you to get close to friendly fishes, making it a perfect place to swim with your family. Near the waters of Sirui Village, you can also experience the sensation of swimming in warm waters and seeing air bubbles coming out from under the sea thanks to hydrothermal vents. Rondo Island in the northwest gives you the chance to try fishing in strong currents. Alternatively, you can relax at the beaches of Sumur Tiga and Rubiah islands. Once you've gotten your fix of aquatic activities, don't forget to visit the city's Kilometer Zero Monument and experience the feeling of standing at the literal edge of Indonesia.

In terms of its economy, Sabang generally experiences steady yet below-average growth. From 2021 to 2023, it grew 2.67 percent, 2.57 percent and 2.96 percent each year. Its total Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at current prices in 2023 stood at Rp 1.75 trillion, with the three biggest contributing industries being construction (at Rp 513.66 billion or 29.40 percent), wholesale and retail trade (at Rp 291.53 billion or 16.69 percent), and public administration and defense (at Rp 246.11 billion or 14.09 percent).