Gampong Pie – an Acehnese gampong in Kecamatan Meuraxa district, Banda Aceh city
Gampong Pie is an Indonesian gampong (the name of the local administrative unit in Aceh Province) within Banda Aceh city, belonging to Kecamatan Meuraxa district. Banda Aceh is the capital and largest city of Aceh Province, located on the northwestern tip of Sumatra island, not far from the Andaman Sea coast. Based on coordinates (5.1299434° N, 97.2073178° E), the settlement is situated in the western part of Banda Aceh, in a zone close to coastal areas. Since settlement-level sources are not available for Gampong Pie, the description below relies decisively on verifiable data concerning Banda Aceh city, providing the context within which the gampong is situated.
General overview
Gampong Pie forms part of the Kecamatan Meuraxa administrative district, which lies in the western, coastal strip of Banda Aceh city. The total area of Banda Aceh is 61.36 square kilometers, with a population of 252,899 according to the 2020 census, and official estimates for 2025 indicate 267,962 inhabitants. The city—and thus the gampongs belonging to it, including Gampong Pie—constitutes a semi-enclave administrative unit surrounded by Aceh Besar Regency: it is bordered by Aceh Besar Regency to the south, east, and west, while to the north it meets the Andaman Sea. The name Banda Aceh derives from the Persian word "bandar," meaning "port" or "haven"; the city is also referred to as the "Porch of Mecca" (Serambi Mekkah), alluding to its historical role as a departure point for maritime hajj pilgrimages. Due to its coastal location, Meuraxa district was particularly affected by the Indian Ocean earthquake of December 26, 2004, and the subsequent tsunami, whose epicenter lay only 249 kilometers from Banda Aceh's coast; the catastrophe claimed approximately 60,000 lives in the city and devastated the western coastal areas to an extraordinary degree.
Real estate and investment
Independent, settlement-level real estate market data for Gampong Pie is not available. In the broader context of Banda Aceh city, it can be stated that in the two decades following the 2004 tsunami, the city underwent significant reconstruction and modernization, accompanied by inflows of domestic and international development capital. The coastal location of Meuraxa district is itself a decisive factor in property valuation; however, in coastal areas, flood and tsunami risks influence in the long term the insurability of properties and the maintenance costs of infrastructure. Under the general framework of Indonesian land ownership regulations, foreign nationals cannot acquire direct, comprehensive ownership rights (Hak Milik) over real estate in Indonesia; for them, Hak Pakai (usage rights) or long-term lease structures are available. These regulations are also valid in Aceh Province, where additionally local-level regulations based on syariah (Islamic law) may also influence the business and investment environment. Before making investment decisions, involvement of a local legal expert is strongly recommended.
Safety and security
Independent, verifiable settlement-level statistics on public safety in Gampong Pie are not available. Regarding Banda Aceh city in general, it can be stated that following the 2004 tsunami and the closure of the prolonged armed conflict in 2005, the security situation in the city and province has stabilized considerably. In Aceh Province, the local syariah-based legal system also contributes to the specific regulation of public order. For visitors and local residents, adherence to generally applicable travel safety recommendations—including familiarization with and respect for applicable local regulations—remains warranted. Specific crime statistics cannot be provided on the basis of this source material.
Tourist attractions
No tourism attraction directly linked to Gampong Pie and identified in sources has been found. However, Banda Aceh city contains numerous notable sites documented in verifiable sources, which are also accessible from Meuraxa district. Sites and museums connected to the 2004 tsunami—including the Tsunami Museum, located in downtown Banda Aceh—have become among the city's most well-known tourist destinations. Meuraxa district itself was directly affected by the tsunami, and thus the region preserves numerous memorial sites from that period. Other well-known attractions in Banda Aceh—such as the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, which is a symbolic structure of the city—are also located within the city and are relatively close to the gampong, although precise distance information cannot be provided on the basis of this source. Due to the coastal location of Meuraxa district, fishing and nature-related sites can be found in the area, though specific verified information about these is not included in this source material.
Summary
Gampong Pie is a gampong belonging to Meuraxa district of Banda Aceh city, on the northwestern coast of Sumatra, in the western part of Aceh Province's capital. The wider environment of the settlement—Banda Aceh city—is jointly defined by rich historical heritage, post-2004 tsunami reconstruction, and the distinctive Acehnese cultural and religious traditions. Detailed data specifically concerning Gampong Pie is currently available in limited measure in the public domain; when making decisions related to this location, information at the level of Banda Aceh and Kecamatan Meuraxa provides a reliable starting point.
