 Formerly, it administrated areas bordering the Indian Ocean.Prior to the separation of part of this regency in 2012, it had an area of 2,556.75 km² and population of 1,528,306 (at the 2010 Census); the regency was until 2012 divided into 36 districts.However, as from 25 October 2012, the existing regency has been split, with 10 districts comprising the southern portion being formed into a new Pangandaran Regency (with a 2010 Census population of 383,848), leaving 26 districts in the residual Ciamis Regency, however is smaller in area than Pangandaran Regency.