Maumere


Maumere is the administrative seat of the Sikka Regency and the second largest town 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 within the regency, but is divided into three districts, namely Alok Barat, Alok, and Alok Timur, although the latter two districts also include a number of substantial islands off the north coast of Flores.

Population

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 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 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

The three districts are sub-divided into 13 urban village and 8 rural villages :
  • Alok Barat, 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, and Samparong.
  • Alok Timur, 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, Watugong, and Gong Bekor are all also on Flores Island but are situated immediately south of the 5 kelurahan, while Kojadoi and Kojagete together compose Koja Island, while Perumaan 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 while the other 12,570 inhabitants were on the various offshore islands.
Kode
Wilayah
Name of
kelurahan
or desa
Area
in km2
Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2024
Post
code
53.07.14.1001Hewuli11.563,16886115
53.07.14.1002Wailiti16.633,98986114
53.07.14.1003Wolomarang5.5011,69486114
53.07.14.1004Wuring15.145,69786115
53.07.14Totals Alok Barat District48.8324,548
53.07.05.1006Madawat2.298,91586112
53.07.05.1007Nangalimang3.713,74886118
53.07.05.1008Kabor0.343,29186112
53.07.05.1009Kota Uneng3.0111,00386113
53.07.05.2014Pemana3.423,26886116
53.07.05.2015Samparong3.711,04986116
53.07.05.2016Gunung Sari2.901,68886116
53.07.05Totals Alok District19.3832,962
53.07.15.1001Beru4.153,94586111
53.07.15.1002Kota Baru3.266,13486215
53.07.15.1003Nangameting29.194,35186118
53.07.15.1004Waioti4.597,11186118
53.07.15.1005Wairotang23.372,55586111
53.07.15.2006Kojadoi3.991,55886116
53.07.15.2007Kojagete1.241,58586116
53.07.15.2008Lepolima1.082,44186116
53.07.15.2009Perumaan0.872,00786116
53.07.15.2010Watugong2.441,47386116
53.07.15.2011Gong Bekor0.251,41586116
53.10.12Totals Alok Timur District74.4334,585

Mother of All Nations

Mother of All Nations is a statue of Mother Mary in Nilo Hill, south-west from Maumere. The statue stands tall, but with its pedestal and foundation it is tall. The 6-ton copper-clad statue was constructed in 2005, located at the peak of the Keli hill, Nilo village, and has become the tallest statue raised in Sikka Regency.

Transportation

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

Climate

Maumere has a tropical savanna climate with a long dry season and short wet season.