Belu Regency

Last updated

Belu Regency
Kabupaten Belu
Rai Belu
Regency
Lambang Kabupaten Belu.jpg
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
Belu
Lokasi Nusa Tenggara Timur Kabupaten Belu.svg
Location within East Nusa Tenggara
Timor.png
Red pog.svg
Belu Regency
Indonesia Lesser Sunda Islands location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Belu Regency
Belu Regency (Lesser Sunda Islands)
Indonesia location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Belu Regency
Belu Regency (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 9°20′45″S124°57′2″E / 9.34583°S 124.95056°E / -9.34583; 124.95056
Country Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Region Lesser Sunda Islands
Province Flag of East Nusa Tenggara.svg  East Nusa Tenggara
Settled20 December 1956
Capital Atambua
Government
 • RegentWilly Lay
 • Vice RegentJ. T. Ose Luan
Area
 • Total493.35 sq mi (1,277.77 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (375 m)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate) [1]
 • Total215,518
 • Density440/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zone UTC+8 (ICST)
Postcodes
856xx, 857xx
Area code (+62) 389
Religion Christianity 95.45%
— Catholic 88.39%
— Protestant 7.10%
Islam 4.30%
Hindu 0.19%
Buddhism 0.02% [2]
Website belukab.go.id

Belu Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Situated on the north side of Timor island, it originally stretched to the south coast, but in December 2012 its southern half was detached to form the new Malaka Regency. It now adjoins the North Central Timor Regency to the west, the new Malaka Regency to the south, and the separate nation of East Timor to the east, while to the north lies the Sawu Sea. Established on 20 December 1958, [3] Belu Regency has its seat (capital) in the large town of Atambua, which lies inland from the coastal port of Atapupu (in Kakuluk Mesak District).

Contents

Etymology

"Belu" means "friend" in the indigenous language of Tetum.

Economy

The economy of Belu Regency is primarily based on agriculture, with the cultivation of crops such as maize, rice, and various fruits being central to local livelihoods. Additionally, livestock farming, particularly cattle and goats, plays a significant role in the region's economy. The coastal areas also offer opportunities for fishing and marine-based activities. The regency is known for its traditional weaving, namely Tais Belu, which produces intricate textiles that are culturally significant to the local communities.

Demographics and Culture

Belu Regency is home to a diverse population with a mix of ethnic groups, including those speaking the Belunese dialect of the Tetum language and other Austronesian-speaking peoples. The local culture is deeply rooted in traditional practices, with numerous festivals and ceremonies reflecting the rich heritage of the area. Traditional music, dance, and weaving are important aspects of Belu's cultural identity. The regency is also known for its unique traditional houses and community-based celebrations.

Tourism

Tourism in Belu Regency is growing, with visitors attracted to its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical sites. Key attractions include the scenic landscapes, traditional villages, and cultural festivals. Efforts are being made to develop infrastructure and services to enhance the tourism experience while preserving the regency's cultural and environmental assets.

Transportation

The regency is accessible by land and sea. Major roads connect Belu Regency with other parts of West Timor and neighboring Timor-Leste. The main entry point by air or land is the town of Atambua, which is served by a regional airport and has connections to other major towns and cities in the region, while the port of Atapupu is the entry port for sea travel.

Administrative Districts

The Belu Regency was until 2013 divided into twenty-four districts (kecamatan), but in December 2012, the twelve southern kecamatan were removed to form the new Malaka Regency, leaving the twelve northern kecamatan in Belu Regency. The residual Belu Regency is thus composed of twelve districts (kecamatan), tabulated below with their areas (in km2) and their populations at the 2010 Census [4] and 2020 Census, [5] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023. [1] The table also includes the locations of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 69 rural desa and 12 urban kelurahan - the latter being the 12 comprising Atambua town), and its postal code.

Kode
Wilayah		Name of
District
(kecamatan)		Area
in
km2		Pop'n
Census
2010		Pop'n
Census
2020		Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023		Admin
centre		No.
of
villages		Post
code
53.04.12 Kota Atambua [6]
(Central Atambua)		25.8026,39630,83730,071Tenukiik485711
-85718
53.04.21 Atambua Barat [7]
(West Atambua)		22.2621,60424,17820,339Sesekoe485713
-85718
53.04.22 Atambua Selatan [8]
(East Atambua)		15.7322,46426,14426,322Asuulun485716
-85718
Total Atambua town 63.7970,46481,15976,7321285711
-85718
53.04.13Raimanuk [9] 179.3314,41116,75517,511Arekama985760
53.04.04Tasifeto Barat [10]
(West Tasifeto)		224.1922,36224,54524,609Kimbana885753
53.04.05Kakuluk Mesak [11] 187.5417,60821,98820,434Umarese685752
53.04.23Nanaet Dubesi [12] 60.254,0064,7835,313Tete Seban485751
53.04.02Tasifeto Timur [13]
(East Tasifeto)		211.3720,93226,12126,740Wedomu1285771
Western rural sector(a)862.6879,31994,19294,60739
53.04.03Raihat [14] 72.5013,31914,35914,224Bei Sari Loo685773
53.04.17Lasiolat [15] 64.496,1667,0967,027Lafuli785771
53.04.01Lamaknen [16] 105.9011,58312,63211,931Weluli985772
53.04.18Lamaknen Selatan [17]
(South Lamaknen)		108.417,3128,53510,997Pie Bulak885770
Eastern salient(b)351.3038,38042,62244,17930
Totals for regency1,277.77188,163217,973215,51881

Note: (a) the five westerly rural kecamatan, mainly surrounding or south of Atambua, including the northern coast.
(b) the area projecting into East Timor.

Media

Belu Regency is served with four radio stations that cover the wider area around this regency (including Malaka Regency, Alor Regency, and Timor Tengah Utara Regency), which are RRI Pro1 Atambua (FM 91.5 MHz) RRI Pro2 Atambua (FM 99.8 MHz) RRI Pro3 (FM 99.0 MHz), and Saluran Citra Budaya Timor (alias Pro4) (FM 93.1 MHz). There's still a lot of radio that can be found in the town.

The regency is only served with two television stations (TVRI - including TVRI East Nusa Tenggara, Belu TV) and a few other East Timor stations that reach the border pass.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adonara</span> Island in the Lesser Sunda islands, Indonesia

Adonara is an island in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, located east of the larger island of Flores in the Solor Archipelago. To the east lies Lembata, formerly known as Lomblen. Adonara is the highest of the islands of the archipelago, reaching an altitude of 1,659 metres, and it has an area of 529.75 km2. It is situated administratively in the East Flores Regency of East Nusa Tenggara province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anambas Islands Regency</span> Regency in Riau Islands, Indonesia

Anambas Islands Regency is an island regency in the Riau Islands Province, Indonesia, located in the Natuna Sea. The regency consists of 255 islands, including five outer islands that are important for Indonesia's sovereignty boundaries, namely: Tokong Berlayar Island, Tokong Nanas Island, Mangkai Island, Damar Island, and Malangbiru Island. Anambas Islands Regency located 150 nautical miles northeast of Batam Island in the Natuna Sea between the Malaysian Peninsula to the west and the island of Borneo to the east. Geographically part of the Tudjuh Archipelago. This island regency covers a land area of approximately 661.47 square kilometres (255.39 sq mi) spread over an area of approximately 46,664 km² of water. The regency had a population of around 37,411 at the 2010 Census. and 47,402 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 50,140. The administrative centre is at Tarempa on Siantan Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikka Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Sikka is a regency within East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, on the island of Flores. It is bordered to the west by Ende Regency and to the east by East Flores Regency. It covers an area of 1,675.36 km2 and had a population of 300,301 at the 2010 census and 321,953 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 337,011. The capital is the town of Maumere, which comprises the districts of Alok Barat, Alok and Alok Timur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ende Regency</span> Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Ende Regency is a regency on the island of Flores, within East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia. The regency covers an area of 2,091.19 km2, and it had a population of 260,605 at the 2010 Census and 270,763 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 280,328. It is bordered to the west by Nagekeo Regency and to the east by Sikka Regency, while the Flores Sea lies to the north and the Savu Sea to the south.

Atambua is the regency seat of Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Sumba Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

West Sumba Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia. Established in 1958, the regency was considerably reduced on 2 January 2007 with the creation of new Regencies on Sumba Island under Law UU No.16 of that year. Its area is now 721.96 km2, and its population was 110,993 at the 2010 census and 145,097 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 150,868. It has its seat (capital) in (Kota) Waikabubak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alor Regency</span> Regency in Indonesia

Alor Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province of Indonesia. Established in 1958, Alor Regency administers the Alor Archipelago with its seat (capital) in Kalabahi on Alor Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Sumba Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Central Sumba Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara of Indonesia. The new Central Sumba Regency was established on the island of Sumba when West Sumba Regency was split into two regencies on 22 May 2007 and a further Regency was created in Central Sumba from parts of both West Sumba and East Sumba Regencies. The new Regency covers 1,845.28 km2 and had a population of 62,485 at the 2010 Census and 85,482 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 91,531. The seat (capital) of its government is located at Waibakul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ngada Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Ngada Regency is one of the regencies on the island of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. It is bordered by East Manggarai Regency to the west and Nagekeo Regency to the east, with the Flores Sea to the north and the Sawu Sea to the south. The Regency, which covers an area of 1,620.92 km2, had a population of 142,254 at the 2010 census, which increased to 165,254 at the 2020 census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 171,174. The town of Bajawa is the capital of Ngada Regency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Sumba Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

East Sumba Regency is geographically the largest of the four regencies which divide the island of Sumba, within East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia. It occupies 62% of the entire island, being much less densely populated than the western third. The town of Waingapu is the capital of East Sumba Regency. The population of East Sumba Regency was 227,732 at the 2010 Census and 244,820 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 255,498.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Manggarai Regency</span> Regency in Indonesia

West Manggarai Regency is one of the eight regencies which comprise the island of Flores, located in the province of East Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia. The Regency was created on 25 February 2003 by the separation off of the western districts from Manggarai Regency. It covers a land area of 3,141.47 km2, and had a population of 221,703 at the 2010 census, rising to 251,689 at the 2015 Intermediate census and to 256,317 at the 2020 census. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 278,184. The regency's capital is the town of Labuan Bajo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Flores Regency</span> Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

East Flores Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Established in 1958, the regency has its seat (capital) in Larantuka on Flores Island. It covers a land area of 1,812.65 km2, and it had a population of 232,605 as of the 2010 census and 276,896 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as of mid-2023 was 289,376. The regency encompasses the eastern tip of the island of Flores, together with all of the adjacent islands of Adonara and Solor to the east of Flores, with some much smaller offshore islands. On 4 October 1999, the island of Lembata at the eastern end of the Solor Archipelago was separated from the East Flores Regency to create its own Regency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manggarai Regency</span> Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Manggarai Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, situated on the island of Flores. Established in 1958 to encompass the 6,924.18 km2 area of the lands of the indigenous Manggarai people, the regency was reduced in area and in population by the separation of the more western districts to form West Manggarai Regency on 25 February 2003 and of the more eastern districts to form East Manggarai Regency on 17 July 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kupang Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Kupang Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It occupies the far western end of Timor Island, together with the smaller island of Semau and other minor offshore islands. Other islands further to the southwest and west which were formerly part of Kupang Regency have been separated administratively - the Rote Islands Group on 10 April 2002, and the Savu Islands Group on 29 October 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lembata Regency</span> Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Lembata Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Established on 4 October 1999 from the most easterly part of East Flores Regency, the regency covers the island of Lembata, together with three small offshore islands together forming the eastern part of the Solor Archipelago, and has its administrative seat (capital) in Lewoleba. The population of the Regency was 117,829 at the 2010 decennial census and at the 2020 census was 135,930; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 137,812.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagekeo Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Nagekeo Regency is a regency on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, comprising the Nage people in the south and the Keo in the north. It covers an area of 1,377.04 km2 and had a population of 130,120 at the 2010 Census, and 159,732 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 166,968. The regency was established on 2 January 2007 by separation of the former eastern districts from Ngada Regency; it has its administrative seat (capital) in the town of Mbay on the north coast of Flores. It is bordered to the west by the residual Ngada Regency and to the east by Ende Regency, while to the north is the Flores Sea and to the south is the Savu Sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southwest Sumba Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Southwest Sumba Regency is a regency on Sumba Island in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Established on 2 January 2007 out of parts of West Sumba Regency, the regency has its seat (capital) in Tambolaka. Its population was 283,818 in the 2010 decennial census and had risen to 303,650 at the 2020 census; the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 322,073 (comprising 164,825 males and 157,248 females

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Manggarai Regency</span> Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

East Manggarai Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Established on 17 July 2007, the regency has its seat (capital) in the town of Borong. It covers a land area of 2,438.68 km2. The population at the 2010 Census was 252,754, and at the 2020 Census was 275,603; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 310,822.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaka Regency</span> Regency in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Malaka Regency is a regency in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The regency was established on 14 December 2012, comprising twelve districts which had formerly been the southern part of Belu Regency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betun, Indonesia</span> Town in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Betun is the capital of Malaka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Aside from Atambua, this town was also one of the shelters for refugees from neighboring East Timor, who fled because of the violence and destruction that erupted after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. When violence erupted in East Timor in 2006, there was again an influx of refugees.

References

  1. 1 2 Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2024 (sum of returns from district Katalogs as referenced below)
  2. ↑ "Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2019". www.belukab.bps.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. ↑ Government of Indonesia (9 August 1958), Establishment of the Second-level Administrative Regions under the First-level Administrative Region of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara (in Indonesian  ed.), Indonesia Ministry of Law and Justice, UU No. 69/1958, retrieved 24 August 2007[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  5. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  6. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306060).
  7. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Barat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306061).
  8. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306062).
  9. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Raimanuk Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306032).
  10. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Tasifto Barat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306050).
  11. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Kakuluk Mesak Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306051).
  12. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Nanaet Dubesi Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306052).
  13. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Tasifeto Timur Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306070).
  14. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Raihat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306071).
  15. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lasiolat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306072).
  16. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lamaknen Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306080).
  17. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lamaknen Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306081).
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.