Lhok Mane – a small settlement in Simpang Mamplam district of Bireuen Regency, Aceh Province
Lhok Mane is a small Indonesian settlement located in Simpang Mamplam district (Kecamatan Simpang Mamplam) of Bireuen Regency (Kabupaten Bireuen) in Aceh Province on Sumatra. Its coordinates are 5.2181° north latitude, 96.4810° east longitude. Bireuen Regency lies on the northeastern coast of the province, where the coastline of the Strait of Malacca shapes the landscape. The regency seat, the city of Bireuen, is situated approximately 170 kilometres east of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh Province. Regarding precise demographic data, area, and administrative details of Lhok Mane, no publicly available, verifiable sources are currently available; therefore, the description below relies primarily on the broader context of the regency.
General overview
Lhok Mane belongs to Simpang Mamplam district, which is one of the administrative units of Bireuen Regency. The regency itself became an independent administrative unit on 4 October 1999, when it was separated from what was then the unified North Aceh Regency. Bireuen Regency covers an area of 1,796.97 square kilometres, and as of mid-2025, official estimates indicated approximately 464,776 inhabitants in the area. The defining geographical characteristic of the region is the northeastern coastline along the Strait of Malacca, which has played a significant role in commercial and transportation connections throughout history. In the case of Lhok Mane — based on its linguistic composition in Acehnese — it is likely a small, rural community, though no verifiable, source-based data is available to confirm this. Simpang Mamplam district and the broader Bireuen Regency have a local economy based primarily on agricultural and fishing activities, which is characteristic of coastal Sumatran regions generally.
Real estate and investment
No independent, verifiable data are available regarding Lhok Mane's real estate market. In the broader context of Bireuen Regency, it can be noted that the area has a relatively low urbanisation level, which generally results in more moderate property prices compared to larger Indonesian cities and tourist destinations. The regency's economy relies primarily on agriculture, fishing, and small-scale commerce, which do not generate the same level of investment demand as industrial or tourism zones. From an investment perspective, it is important to note generally that foreign nationals in Indonesia cannot acquire direct land ownership (Hak Milik title); however, certain long-term lease arrangements (Hak Sewa, Hak Pakai) are available within legal frameworks. These general Indonesian regulations apply to Aceh Province as well, although Aceh's special autonomy status may create a particular legal environment regarding certain local provisions, which should be verified before any investment decision. Bireuen Regency was among the areas affected by the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which in the long term affected the pace of infrastructure development and the regional investment environment.
Safety and security
No independent, settlement-level, verifiable statistics are available regarding the public safety situation in Lhok Mane. Considering the broader regional context, Bireuen Regency was among the areas affected by the Acehnese conflict prior to the 2005 Helsinki peace agreement, where clashes between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and Indonesian government forces shaped daily life and security for decades. Since the 2005 peace process, stability in Aceh Province has generally improved, and the region has been integrated into Indonesia's civilian administrative system. No unique, verifiable data are available regarding the current public safety situation; therefore, it is recommended that any person visiting or planning to settle in the region consult with relevant authorities and the local community for up-to-date information.
Tourist attractions
No verified, source-identified information is available regarding Lhok Mane's direct attractions and tourist features. Characteristic of the broader Bireuen Regency region are the natural features of the Strait of Malacca coastline — the coastal landscape, fishing villages, and the mountainous interior extending towards Sumatra's inland areas — which define the general character of the region. Aceh Province as a whole is rich in historical and cultural heritage: the province was one of the earliest regions in Southeast Asia where Islam took root, and this cultural legacy continues to manifest in local architecture, customs, and community life. Bireuen Regency features relatively modestly in tourism publications presenting Indonesia; visitors to the province tend to be oriented towards the capital, Banda Aceh, the Lhokseumawe urban area, and Weh Island. In the case of Lhok Mane, further information from primary sources is needed regarding local tourist offerings and accessibility.
Summary
Lhok Mane is a small, poorly documented settlement in Simpang Mamplam district of Bireuen Regency in Aceh Province, near the Strait of Malacca on Sumatra. Available public data sources extend only to the regency level; therefore, detailed demographic, economic, or tourist information about the settlement cannot currently be presented on a source-based basis. Bireuen Regency is a medium-sized, agriculturally and fishing-based area with low urbanisation, which has gradually stabilised through the Acehnese peace process and reconstruction following the 2004 tsunami. For those interested in seeking more precise and up-to-date information about Lhok Mane, local administrative bodies or on-site consultation can provide reliable sources.
