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.
Belu Regency
Kabupaten Belu Rai Belu | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
| Nickname: Belu | |
 Location within East Nusa Tenggara | |
  Belu Regency  Belu Regency Belu Regency (Lesser Sunda Islands)  Belu Regency Belu Regency (Indonesia) | |
| Coordinates: 9°20′45″S 124°57′2″E / 9.34583°S 124.95056°E | |
| Country |  Indonesia |
| Region | Lesser Sunda Islands |
| Province |  East Nusa Tenggara |
| Settled | 20 December 1956 |
| Capital | Atambua |
| Government | |
| • Regent | Willy Lay |
| • Vice Regent | J. T. Ose Luan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 496.12 sq mi (1,284.94 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,230 ft (375 m) |
| Population (mid 2023 estimate)[1] | |
| • Total | 231,008 |
| • Density | 470/sq mi (180/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 |
Etymology
edit"Belu" means "friend" in the indigenous language of Tetum.
Economy
editThe 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
editBelu 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
editTourism 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editBelu 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
edit- ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5304)
- ^ "Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2019". www.belukab.bps.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ 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]
- ^ Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
- ^ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
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