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Belu Regency

Coordinates: 9°20′45″S 124°57′2″E / 9.34583°S 124.95056°E / -9.34583; 124.95056
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Belu Regency
Kabupaten Belu
Rai Belu
Coat of arms of Belu Regency
Nickname: 
Belu
Location within East Nusa Tenggara
Location within East Nusa Tenggara
Belu Regency is located in Timor
Belu Regency
Belu Regency
Belu Regency is located in Lesser Sunda Islands
Belu Regency
Belu Regency
Belu Regency (Lesser Sunda Islands)
Belu Regency is located in Indonesia
Belu Regency
Belu Regency
Belu Regency (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 9°20′45″S 124°57′2″E / 9.34583°S 124.95056°E / -9.34583; 124.95056
Country Indonesia
RegionLesser Sunda Islands
Province East Nusa Tenggara
Settled20 December 1956
CapitalAtambua
Government
 • RegentWilly Lay
 • Vice RegentJ. T. Ose Luan
Area
 • Total496.12 sq mi (1,284.94 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (375 m)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)[1]
 • Total231,008
 • Density470/sq mi (180/km2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (ICST)
Postcodes
856xx, 857xx
Area code(+62) 389
ReligionChristianity 95.45%
Catholic 88.39%
Protestant 7.10%
Islam 4.30%
Hindu 0.19%
Buddhism 0.02%[2]
Websitebelukab.go.id

Belu Regency is a regency in East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Situated on the north side of Timor island, it adjoins the North Central Timor Regency to the west and the separate nation of East Timor to the east. Established on 20 December 1958,[3] Belu Regency has its seat (capital) in the large town of Atambua.

Etymology

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

Economy

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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

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Belu Regency is home to a diverse population with a mix of ethnic groups, including the Tetum 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

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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

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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 is the town of Atambua, which is served by a regional airport and has connections to other major towns and cities in the region.

Administrative Districts

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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
(Central Atambua)
24.90 26,396 30,837 32,747 Tenukiik 4 85711
-85718
53.04.21 Atambua Barat
(West Atambua)
15.55 21,604 24,178 25,358 Sesekoe 4 85713
-85718
53.04.22 Atambua Selatan
(East Atambua)
15.73 22,464 26,144 27,733 Asuulun 4 85716
-85718
Total Atambua town 56.18 70,464 81,159 85,838 12 85711
-85718
53.04.13 Raimanuk 179.42 14,411 16,755 17,768 Arekama 9 85760
53.04.04 Tasifeto Barat
(West Tasifeto)
224.19 22,362 24,545 25,598 Kimbana 8 85753
53.04.05 Kakulak Mesak 187.54 17,608 21,988 23,806 Umarese 6 85752
53.04.23 Nanaet Dubesi 60.25 4,006 4,783 5,112 Tete Seban 4 85751
53.04.02 Tasifeto Timur
(East Tasifeto)
211.37 20,932 26,121 28,275 Wedomu 12 85771
Western rural sector (a) 862.77 79,319 94,192 100,559 39
53.04.03 Raihat 87.20 13,319 14,359 14,897 Bei Sari Loo 6 85773
53.04.17 Lasiolat 64.48 6,166 7,096 7,503 Lafuli 7 85771
53.04.01 Lamaknen 105.90 11,583 12,632 13,149 Weluli 9 85772
53.04.18 Lamaknen Selatan
(South Lamaknen)
18.41 7,312 8,535 9,062 Pie Bulak 8 85770
Eastern salient (b) 365.99 38,380 42,622 44,611 30
Totals for regency 1,284.94 188,163 217,973 231,008 81

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

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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

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  1. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5304)
  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.