Ciamis, Administrative regency in West Java, Indonesia
Ciamis is an administrative district in West Java home to roughly 1.2 million people, spread across several hundred villages grouped into more than two dozen subdistricts. The land rises from lower plains to modest hills, creating a mix of terrain that defines the local geography.
The area was once part of the Galuh kingdom, founded in the 7th century and later absorbed into shifting Javanese realms. Dutch colonial administration shaped the modern boundaries in the early 20th century, formally establishing the district in 1916.
The population of 1.2 million residents maintains Sundanese traditions, reflected in the local name Ciamis which translates to Sweet River in the Sundanese language.
Most visitors move between larger towns connected by a network of local roads. Many villages can be reached via side roads, though more remote areas may require extra travel time.
In 2012 the southern portion of the district was separated to create the new Pangandaran administrative area. This reorganization altered the governance structure and reduced the original footprint considerably.
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