Belu Regency

{{Short description|Regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox settlement   | official_name = Belu Regency | other_name = {{smaller|Rai Belu}} | native_name = ''Kabupaten Belu'' | nickname = Belu | settlement_type = Regency | motto =  | image_skyline = | imagesize = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_shield = Lambang Kabupaten Belu.jpg | shield_size = | image_map = Lokasi Nusa Tenggara Timur Kabupaten Belu.svg | map_caption = Location within East Nusa Tenggara | pushpin_map = Timor#Indonesia_Lesser Sunda_Islands#Indonesia | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Timor, Lesser Sunda Islands and Indonesia | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Indonesia}} | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Lesser Sunda Islands | subdivision_type2 = Province | subdivision_name2 = {{flag|East Nusa Tenggara}} | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | seat_type = Capital | seat = Atambua  | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Regent | leader_name = {{Ill|Willybrodus Lay|lt=Willybrodus Lay|id}} | leader_title1 = Vice Regent | leader_name1 = {{Ill|Vicente Hornai Gonsalves|lt=Vicente Hornai Gonsalves|id}} | established_title = Settled | established_date = 20 December 1956  | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = metric  | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 1284.94 | area_land_km2 =   | population_as_of = mid 2024 estimate | population_footnotes = <ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog 1102001.5306)</ref> | population_note = | population_total = 232788 | population_density_km2 =auto  | timezone = ICST | utc_offset = +8 | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = {{coord|9|20|45|S|124|57|2|E|region:ID-NT_type:adm2nd_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title,inline}} | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = 375 | elevation_ft =   | postal_code_type = Postcodes | postal_code = 856xx, 857xx | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = (+62) 389 | blank_name = Religion | blank_info = Christianity 95.45% — Catholic 88.39% — Protestant 7.10% Islam 4.30% Hindu 0.19% Buddhism 0.02%<ref name="BELU2019">{{cite web|url=https://belukab.bps.go.id/publication/2019/08/16/e57a2f901baf7056ad1cf712/kabupaten-belu-dalam-angka-2019.html|last=|first=|title=Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2019|website=www.belukab.bps.go.id|language=id|accessdate=13 February 2020}}</ref> | website = {{URL|belukab.go.id}} | footnotes = }} '''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,<ref>{{Citation |author=Government of Indonesia |author-link=Government of Indonesia |url=http://www.djpp.depkumham.go.id/incl-php/buka.php?d=1900+58&f=uu69-1958.htm |title=Establishment of the Second-level Administrative Regions under the First-level Administrative Region of Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara |edition=in Indonesian |id=UU No. 69/1958 |date=9 August 1958 |accessdate=2007-08-24 |publisher=Indonesia Ministry of Law and Justice }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 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).

== 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<ref name="Biro Pusat Statistik 2011">Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.</ref> and 2020 Census,<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref> together with the official estimates as at mid 2024.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2025">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Kabupaten Belu Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog 1102001.5306)</ref> 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.

{| class="sortable wikitable" |- ! 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<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306060).</ref> (Central Atambua) ||align="right"|24.90||align="right"|26,396||align="right"|30,837||align="right"|32,119||Tenukiik||align="center"|4||85711 -85718 |- | 53.04.21 || Atambua Barat<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Barat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306061).</ref> (West Atambua) ||align="right"|15.55||align="right"|21,604||align="right"|24,178||align="right"|23,440||Sesekoe||align="center"|4||85713 -85718 |- | 53.04.22 || Atambua Selatan<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Atambua Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306062).</ref> (East Atambua) ||align="right"|15.73||align="right"|22,464||align="right"|26,144||align="right"|26,699||Asuulun||align="center"|4||85716 -85718 |- | || ''Total Atambua town'' ||align="right"|''56.18''||align="right"|''70,464''||align="right"|''81,159''||align="right"|''82,258''|| ||align="center"|''12''||''85711 -85718'' |- | 53.04.13 || Rai Manuk <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Raimanuk Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306032).</ref> ||align="right"|179.42||align="right"|14,411||align="right"|16,755||align="right"|19,281||Arekama||align="center"|9||85760 |- | 53.04.04 || Tasifeto Barat <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Tasifto Barat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306050).</ref> (West Tasifeto) ||align="right"|224.19||align="right"|22,362||align="right"|24,545||align="right"|27,892||Kimbana||align="center"|8||85753 |- | 53.04.05 || Kakuluk Mesak <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Kakuluk Mesak Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306051).</ref> ||align="right"|187.54||align="right"|17,608||align="right"|21,988||align="right"|23,140||Umarese||align="center"|6||85752 |- | 53.04.23 || Nanaet Dubesi <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Nanaet Dubesi Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306052).</ref> ||align="right"|60.25||align="right"|4,006||align="right"|4,783||align="right"|5,441||Tete Seban||align="center"|4||85751 |- | 53.04.02 || Tasifeto Timur <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Tasifeto Timur Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306070).</ref> (East Tasifeto) ||align="right"|211.37||align="right"|20,932||align="right"|26,121||align="right"|27,979||Wedomu||align="center"|12||85771 |- | || ''Western rural sector'' (a)||align="right"|''862.77''||align="right"|''79,319''||align="right"|''94,192''||align="right"|''103,733''|| ||align="center"|''39'' |- | 53.04.03 || Raihat <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Raihat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306071).</ref> ||align="right"|87.20||align="right"|13,319||align="right"|14,359||align="right"|15,852||Bei Sari Loo||align="center"|6||85773 |- | 53.04.17 || Lasiolat <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lasiolat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306072).</ref> ||align="right"|64.48||align="right"|6,166||align="right"|7,096||align="right"|7,863||Lafuli||align="center"|7||85771 |- | 53.04.01 || Lamaknen <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lamaknen Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306080).</ref> ||align="right"|105.90||align="right"|11,583||align="right"|12,632||align="right"|13,506||Weluli||align="center"|9||85772 |- | 53.04.18 || Lamaknen Selatan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, Kecamatan Lamaknen Selatan Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.5306081).</ref> (South Lamaknen) ||align="right"|108.41||align="right"|7,312||align="right"|8,535||align="right"|9,576||Pie Bulak||align="center"|8||85770 |- | || ''Eastern salient'' (b)||align="right"|''365.99''||align="right"|''38,380''||align="right"|''42,622''||align="right"|''46,797''|| ||align="center"|''30'' |- | ''Totals for''||'' regency'' ||align="right"|''1,284.94''||align="right"|''188,163''||align="right"|''217,973''||align="right"|''232,788''|| ||align="center"|''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 == 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 == {{Reflist|2}}

Category:Regencies of East Nusa Tenggara

Belu Regency

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