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 – 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
In 1992 Maumere had a total population of about 70,000,[4] but the town suffered considerable damage in the 1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami, with 90 percent of all buildings being destroyed.[4] The Census population of the three districts (Alak Barat, Alak, and Alak Timur) in 2010 was 82,039[5] and 87,720 in 2020;[6] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 88,784; however this included 10,875 inhabitants of offshore islands, so that the figure for the town itself was 77,909.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9]
Villages
The 3 districts (kecamatan) are sub-divided into 13 urban (kelurahan) and 8 rural (desa) villages:[10][circular reference]
Alok Barat (West Alok) consists of the 4 kelurahan of Hewuli, Wailiti, Wolomarang and Wuring, with 23,890 inhabitants in mid 2023;[11]
Alok consists of the 4 kelurahan of Kabor, Kota Uneng, Madawat and Nangalimang, with 26,736 inhabitants in mid 2023;[12] plus the 3 desa of Gunung Sari, Pemana (together comprising Pemana Island offshore, with 4,917 inhabitants in 2023) and Samparong (comprising Samparong Island, further north in the Flores Sea, with 1,020 inhabitants in 2023);[13]
Alok Timur (East Alok) consists of the 5 kelurahan of Beru, Kota Baru, Nangameting, Waioti and Wairotang, with 23,585 inhabitants in mid 2023;[12] plus the 5 desa, of which Lepolima (2,230) and Watugong (1,468) are both also on Flores Island but immediately south of the 5 kelurahan, while Kojadoi (1,515) and Kojagete (1,523) together compose Koja Island (or Pulau Besar), while Perumaan (1,900) consists of nearly Perumaan Island and similar small islands, all closer to the northwest coast of Talibura District.[14]
Thus the population of the urban town itself in 2023 was 77,909 (including 3,698 in Lepolima and Watugong desa) while the other 10,875 inhabitants were on the various offshore islands.
Kode Wilayah
Name of kelurahan or desa
Area in km2
Pop'n Estimate mid 2023
Post code
53.07.14.1001
Hewuli
7.23
3.085
86115
53.07.14.1002
Wailiti
14.15
3,865
86114
53.07.14.1003
Wolomarang
5.50
11,326
86114
53.07.14.1004
Wuring
15.16
5,614
86115
53.07.14
Totals Alor Barat District
42.04
23,890
53.07.05.1006
Madawat
2.28
8,863
86112
53.07.05.1007
Nangalimang
3.77
3,667
86118
53.07.05.1008
Kabor
0.40
3,281
86112
53.07.05.1009
Kota Uneng
2.95
10,925
86113
53.07.05.2014
Pemana
3.42
3,292
86116
53.07.05.2015
Samparong
-
1,020
86116
53.07.05.2016
Gunung Sari
2.90
1,625
86116
53.07.05
Totals Alor District
15.71
32,673
Kode Wilayah
Name of kelurahan or desa
Area in km2
Pop'n Estimate mid 2023
Post code
53.07.15.1001
Beru
2.12
3,844
86111
53.07.15.1002
Kota Baru
1.24
5,994
86215
53.07.15.1003
Nangameting
1.24
4,291
86118
53.07.15.1004
Waioti
3.26
6,931
86118
53.07.15.1005
Wairotang
0.25
2,525
86111
53.07.15.2006
Kojadoi
-
1,515
86116
53.07.15.2007
Kojagete
-
1,523
86116
53.07.15.2008
Lepolima
2.37
2,230
86116
53.07.15.2009
Purumaan
-
1,900
86116
53.07.15.2010
Watugong
2.00
1,468
86116
53.07.15.2011
Gong Bekor
-
1,347
86116
53.10.12
Totals Alor Timur District
19.09
33,568
Mother of All Nations
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 on 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.