Langsa
Langsa, is a city in Aceh, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Sumatra. Apart from a small seacoast to the northeast, it borders Manyak Payed District of Aceh Tamiang Regency to the east and is otherwise surrounded by Birem Bayeun District of Aceh Timur Regency to the north, west and south. The city covers an area of 239.83 square kilometres and had a population of 148,945 at the 2010 Census ; this grew to 185,971 at the 2020 Census, and the official estimate as of mid 2024 was 186,958.
Langsa is located 440 kilometres from the city of Banda Aceh, the province's capital. Langsa is close to its province's southern border and is 167 kilometres from Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra. This makes Langsa a strategic city for trade and traffic between the two provinces.
There are several universities in the city of Langsa both state and private universities. Among them are Samudra University and IAIN Zawiyah Cot Kala, Campus LP3I. The city hosts several schools of nursing and midwifery, including the Academy of Nursing of "Harapan Ibu", the Academy of Nursing "Yayasan Cut Nyak Dhien" and the Academy of Nursing "UMMI".
History
Darul Islam Rebellion
On 21 September 1953, Darul Islam forces invaded Langsa. They attacked Military Police and the Mobile Brigade barracks. The Indonesian National Armed Forces repelled this Darul Islam attack after receiving reinforcement troops from Medan.Administrative districts
The city is divided into five districts, tabulated below with areas and their population at the 2010 and 2020 Censuses, together with the official estimates as of mid 2024. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each village, and its postal codes.| Kode Wilayah | Name of District | Area in km2 | Pop'n Census 2010 | Pop'n Census 2020 | Pop'n Estimate mid 2024 | Admin centre | No. of villages | Post codes |
| 11.74.01 | Langsa Timur | 78.23 | 13,818 | 16,627 | 17,902 | Seunebuk Antara | 16 | 24411 |
| 11.74.04 | Langsa Lama | 45.05 | 26,877 | 33,231 | 33,690 | Meurandeh | 15 | 24411 & 24416 |
| 11.74.02 | Langsa Barat | 48.78 | 30,583 | 39,553 | 38,197 | Matang Seulimeng | 13 | 24410, 24413, 24414 & 24415 |
| 11.74.05 | Langsa Baro | 61.68 | 41,804 | 55,824 | 56,560 | Geudubang Aceh | 12 | 24415 |
| 11.73.03 | Langsa Kota | 6.11 | 35,863 | 40,736 | 37,407 | Gampong Teungoh | 10 | 24410, 24412, 24414 & 24416 |
| Totals | 239.83 | 148,945 | 185,971 | 186,958 | 66 |
Note that, notwithstanding their names, the most westerly district of Langsa is Langsa Baro District, while Langsa Barat District is actually situated to the north of Lama Kota, and Langsa Lama District lies to the south of Langsa Kota.
Climate
Langsa has a tropical rainforest climate with moderate rainfall from February to April and heavy rainfall in the remaining months.Population
Langsa's population is mainly made up of people of Acehnese, Malay, Javanese, Chinese, and Batak ethnicities. Acehnese is the main language used by people who consider themselves as of Acehnese ethnicity, but the Indonesian language is the official language.Islam is the religion of the majority in Aceh, including Langsa, but other religions exist, such as Christianity and Buddhism. Buddhism is common among Langsa's ethnically Chinese population.