# Belu Regency

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, 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 km$^2$) and their populations at the 2010 Census and 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2023. 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 km$^2$ | 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) | 25.80 | 26,396 | 30,837 | 30,071 | Tenukiik | 4 | 85711 -85718 |
| 53.04.21 | Atambua Barat (West Atambua) | 22.26 | 21,604 | 24,178 | 20,339 | Sesekoe | 4 | 85713 -85718 |
| 53.04.22 | Atambua Selatan (East Atambua) | 15.73 | 22,464 | 26,144 | 26,322 | Asuulun | 4 | 85716 -85718 |
| | Total Atambua town | 63.79 | 70,464 | 81,159 | 76,732 | | 12 | 85711 -85718 |
| 53.04.13 | Raimanuk | 179.33 | 14,411 | 16,755 | 17,511 | Arekama | 9 | 85760 |
| 53.04.04 | Tasifeto Barat (West Tasifeto) | 224.19 | 22,362 | 24,545 | 24,609 | Kimbana | 8 | 85753 |
| 53.04.05 | Kakuluk Mesak | 187.54 | 17,608 | 21,988 | 20,434 | Umarese | 6 | 85752 |
| 53.04.23 | Nanaet Dubesi | 60.25 | 4,006 | 4,783 | 5,313 | Tete Seban | 4 | 85751 |
| 53.04.02 | Tasifeto Timur (East Tasifeto) | 211.37 | 20,932 | 26,121 | 26,740 | Wedomu | 12 | 85771 |
| | Western rural sector $^{(a)}$ | 862.68 | 79,319 | 94,192 | 94,607 | | 39 |
| 53.04.03 | Raihat | 72.50 | 13,319 | 14,359 | 14,224 | Bei Sari Loo | 6 | 85773 |
| 53.04.17 | Lasiolat | 64.49 | 6,166 | 7,096 | 7,027 | Lafuli | 7 | 85771 |
| 53.04.01 | Lamaknen | 105.90 | 11,583 | 12,632 | 11,931 | Weluli | 9 | 85772 |
| 53.04.18 | Lamaknen Selatan (South Lamaknen) | 108.41 | 7,312 | 8,535 | 10,997 | Pie Bulak | 8 | 85770 |
| | Eastern salient $^{(b)}$ | 351.30 | 38,380 | 42,622 | 44,179 | | 30 |
| | Totals for regency | 1,277.77 | 188,163 | 217,973 | 215,518 | | 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.