Belu Regency

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Belu Regency
Kabupaten Belu
Rai Belu
Lambang Kabupaten Belu.jpg
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
  Regent Willybrodus Lay  [ id ]
  Vice Regent Vicente Hornai Gonsalves  [ id ]
Area
  Total
1,284.94 km2 (496.12 sq mi)
Elevation
375 m (1,230 ft)
Population
 (mid 2024 estimate) [1]
  Total
232,788
  Density180/km2 (470/sq mi)
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 2024. [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 2024
Admin
centre
No.
of
villages
Post
code
53.04.12 Kota Atambua [6]
(Central Atambua)
24.9026,39630,83732,119Tenukiik485711
-85718
53.04.21 Atambua Barat [7]
(West Atambua)
15.5521,60424,17823,440Sesekoe485713
-85718
53.04.22 Atambua Selatan [8]
(East Atambua)
15.7322,46426,14426,699Asuulun485716
-85718
Total Atambua town 56.1870,46481,15982,2581285711
-85718
53.04.13Rai Manuk [9] 179.4214,41116,75519,281Arekama985760
53.04.04Tasifeto Barat [10]
(West Tasifeto)
224.1922,36224,54527,892Kimbana885753
53.04.05Kakuluk Mesak [11] 187.5417,60821,98823,140Umarese685752
53.04.23Nanaet Dubesi [12] 60.254,0064,7835,441Tete Seban485751
53.04.02Tasifeto Timur [13]
(East Tasifeto)
211.3720,93226,12127,979Wedomu1285771
Western rural sector(a)862.7779,31994,192103,73339
53.04.03Raihat [14] 87.2013,31914,35915,852Bei Sari Loo685773
53.04.17Lasiolat [15] 64.486,1667,0967,863Lafuli785771
53.04.01Lamaknen [16] 105.9011,58312,63213,506Weluli985772
53.04.18Lamaknen Selatan [17]
(South Lamaknen)
108.417,3128,5359,576Pie Bulak885770
Eastern salient(b)365.9938,38042,62246,79730
Totals for regency1,284.94188,163217,973232,78881

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog 1102001.5306)
  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).