Maumere

Introduction

Town in Lesser Sunda Islands, IndonesiaMaumereTownNickname(s): Rome of IndonesiaRome of the EastMaumereLocation in IndonesiaShow map of FloresMaumereMaumere (Indonesia)Show map of IndonesiaCoordinates: 8°37′20″S 122°12′44″E / 8.62222°S 122.21222°E / -8.62222; 122.21222CountryIndonesiaRegionLesser Sunda IslandsProvinceEast Nusa TenggaraRegencySikkaArea • Total123.26 km2 (47.59 sq mi)Population (mid 2024 estimate) • Total79,515 • Density645.10/km2 (1,670.8/sq mi) excluding offshore islandsTime zoneUTC+8 (WITA) Maumere is the administrative seat of the Sikka Regency and the second largest town (its nominal population has recently overtaken Ende, but of these over 10,500 live in rural areas on outlying islands) on Flores Island, Indonesia. It lies on the north coast of the island and the port is in the north-west part of the town. Administratively, the town is not a single district (kecamatan) within the regency, but is divided into three districts, namely Alok Barat (West Alok), Alok, and Alok Timur (East Alok), although the latter two districts also include a number of substantial islands off the north coast of Flores.

Population

[edit] The population of Maumere is mainly made up of the native Sikka people, but there are also some of Portuguese descent who are called the mestiços. Apart from that, there are also the Lio, Palue, Bajau, Bugis, and the Javanese who migrated here. The population speaks Indonesian and Maumere Malay, a local Malay-based creole, as a lingua franca. The most widely spoken regional language is Sikka, then Lio, and others. A Portuguese-based creole form was spoken until the late 20th century, before being replaced by Indonesian and local Malay. In 1992, Maumere had a total population of about 70,000, but the town suffered considerable damage in the 1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami, with 90 percent of all buildings being destroyed. The Census population of the three districts (Alak Barat, Alak, and Alak Timur) in 2010 was 82,039 and 87,720 in 2020; the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 92,095; however this included 10,875 inhabitants of offshore islands, so that the 2024 figure for the town itself was 79,515. In 2005, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maumere was established in the town. The reefs in areas surrounding Maumere (the Maumere Gulf) were once considered some of the finest diving in the world. However, a 2007 report found that 75% of the coral reefs had been significantly damaged or destroyed by the practice of bomb fishing, the use of toxic chemicals in fishing, and due to earthquakes. One priority of the local community and government is the promotion of tourism. An annual cultural event, Maumere in Love, has been initiated as a step towards fostering both local and wider interest in the region around Maumere.

Administrative division

[edit] The three districts (kecamatan) are sub-divided into 13 urban subdistricts (kelurahan) and 8 rural villages (desa):[circular reference] Alok Barat (West Alok), consists of the four kelurahan of Hewuli, Wailiti, Wolomarang, and Wuring, with 24,548 inhabitants in mid 2024. Alok, consists of the four kelurahan of Kabor, Kota Uneng, Madawat, and Nangalimang, with 26,957 inhabitants in mid 2024; plus the three desa of Gunung Sari, Pemana (together comprising Pemana Island offshore, with 4,956 inhabitants in 2024), and Samparong (comprising Samparong Island, further north in the Flores Sea, with 1,049 inhabitants in 2024). Alok Timur (East Alok), consists of the five kelurahan of Beru, Kota Baru, Nangameting, Waioti, and Wairotang, with 24,096 inhabitants in mid 2024; plus the six desa, of which Lepolima (2,441), Watugong (1,473), and Gong Bekor (1,415) are all also on Flores Island but are situated immediately south of the 5 kelurahan, while Kojadoi (1,558) and Kojagete (1,585) together compose Koja Island (or Pulau Besar), while Perumaan (2,007) consists of nearly Perumaan Island and similar small islands, all closer to the northwest coast of Talibura district. Thus the population of the urban town itself in 2024 was 79,515 (including 5,329 in the villages of Lepolima, Watugong, and Gong Bekor) while the other 12,570 inhabitants were on the various offshore islands. KodeWilayah Name of kelurahan or desa Area in km2 Pop'nEstimatemid 2024 Postcode 53.07.14.1001 Hewuli 11.56 3,168 86115 53.07.14.1002 Wailiti 16.63 3,989 86114 53.07.14.1003 Wolomarang 5.50 11,694 86114 53.07.14.1004 Wuring 15.14 5,697 86115 53.07.14 Totals Alok Barat District 48.83 24,548 53.07.05.1006 Madawat 2.29 8,915 86112 53.07.05.1007 Nangalimang 3.71 3,748 86118 53.07.05.1008 Kabor 0.34 3,291 86112 53.07.05.1009 Kota Uneng 3.01 11,003 86113 53.07.05.2014 Pemana 3.42 3,268 86116 53.07.05.2015 Samparong 3.71 1,049 86116 53.07.05.2016 Gunung Sari 2.90 1,688 86116 53.07.05 Totals Alok District 19.38 32,962 53.07.15.1001 Beru 4.15 3,945 86111 53.07.15.1002 Kota Baru 3.26 6,134 86215 53.07.15.1003 Nangameting 29.19 4,351 86118 53.07.15.1004 Waioti 4.59 7,111 86118 53.07.15.1005 Wairotang 23.37 2,555 86111 53.07.15.2006 Kojadoi 3.99 1,558 86116 53.07.15.2007 Kojagete 1.24 1,585 86116 53.07.15.2008 Lepolima 1.08 2,441 86116 53.07.15.2009 Perumaan 0.87 2,007 86116 53.07.15.2010 Watugong 2.44 1,473 86116 53.07.15.2011 Gong Bekor 0.25 1,415 86116 53.10.12 Totals Alok Timur District 74.43 34,585

Mother of All Nations

[edit] Mother of All Nations (Indonesian: Bunda Segala Bangsa) is a statue of Mother Mary in Nilo Hill, 5 kilometres or 3.1 miles south-west from Maumere. The statue stands 18 metres or 59 feet tall, but with its pedestal and foundation it is 28 metres or 92 feet tall. The 6-ton copper-clad statue was constructed in 2005, located at the peak of the 500 metres or 1,640 feet Keli hill, Nilo village, and has become the tallest statue raised in Sikka Regency.

Transportation

[edit] The city is served by Frans Xavier Seda Airport or Maumere Airport.

Climate

[edit] Maumere has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) with a long dry season and short wet season. Climate data for Maumere (1991–2020 normals) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.1(88.0) 30.9(87.6) 31.7(89.1) 32.4(90.3) 32.2(90.0) 31.6(88.9) 31.2(88.2) 31.6(88.9) 32.7(90.9) 33.5(92.3) 33.8(92.8) 32.3(90.1) 32.1(89.8) Daily mean °C (°F) 27.4(81.3) 27.1(80.8) 27.5(81.5) 27.9(82.2) 27.8(82.0) 26.9(80.4) 26.6(79.9) 26.6(79.9) 27.5(81.5) 28.6(83.5) 29.2(84.6) 28.0(82.4) 27.6(81.7) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.7(76.5) 24.3(75.7) 24.6(76.3) 24.5(76.1) 24.6(76.3) 23.9(75.0) 23.0(73.4) 22.5(72.5) 23.3(73.9) 24.6(76.3) 25.4(77.7) 25.1(77.2) 24.2(75.6) Average precipitation mm (inches) 181.8(7.16) 197.8(7.79) 138.4(5.45) 93.4(3.68) 41.7(1.64) 13.6(0.54) 6.6(0.26) 6.3(0.25) 6.7(0.26) 29.7(1.17) 62.2(2.45) 191.2(7.53) 969.4(38.18) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.7 14.4 11.3 7.7 3.3 1.5 0.9 0.9 0.9 2.4 6.8 14.2 79 Source: Starlings Roost Weather