Waingapu


Waingapu is the largest town in the eastern half of Sumba island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It is the capital town of the East Sumba Regency.

History

About 5 km south of Waingapu, the prehistorical site of Lambanapu has been dated at around 2,800 BC.

Transportation

Aviation

East Sumba's Waingapu Airport 'Umbu Mehang Kunda' is located in Waingapu.

Maritime

The town is served by ferries from nearby islands.
The Pelni Company runs two ferries through Waingapu. The KM Awu runs every two weeks on the two-way itinerary BenoaBima – Waingapu – EndeSavuRote IslandKupangLarantukaKalabahi. The smaller KM Wilis runs more or less every week on the two-way itinenary BatulicinMakassarLabuan Bajo – Waikelo – Waingapu – Ende – Kupang – Kalabahi. Both use the new port.
The Sabuk Nusantara Company runs various freight and passenger boats linking Waingapu and Waikelo with Sumbawa, Flores and Timor about once a week. There is no fixed departure time.
ASDP Indonesia Ferry has small ferries that do not run when the sea gets somewhat rough. It uses the port located 2 km beyond the new port and 9 km from town. Leaving from Waingapu, it does return trips twice a week to Aimere, once a week to Ende, once a week to Savu and three times a week to Kupang.
Waingapu is the only port in the island that can accommodate oil tankers - which often run late.

Bus

Waingapu is the only town that has two bus stations on its periphery, one in the south and one in the west, each about 5 km out of town. But almost all buses depart from the old “Terminal Kota” in the town center, near the market or on Jalan El Tari; they probably stop by in the bus stations.

Administrative divisions

The town comprises two administrative districts of the regency, sub-divided into 11 urban and 4 rural villages.
The western part is the administrative Waingapu District, while the eastern part is the separate Kambera District.
Their areas and their populations at the 2010 and 2020 Censuses are tabled below, together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.
Name of
District
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
Census
2010
Pop'n
Census
2020
Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023
Kambera 52.031,13733,46635,165
Kota Waingapu 73.835,14235,85636,053
Totals125.866,27969,33371,218

Notes:
Kode
Wilayah
Name of
kelurahan
or desa
Area
in km2
Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023
Post
code
53.11.01.1001Kambajawa2.710,84287116
53.11.01.1002Hambala2.48,25087112
53.11.01.1003Matawai1.43,63787116
53.11.01.1004Kamalaputi1.28,19787111
53.11.01.2012Lukukamaru21.079587116
53.11.01.2013Mbatakapidu27.22,06687116
53.11.01.2014Pambolanjara17.92,26687116
53.11.01Totals
Kota Waingapu
District
73.836,053-

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
kelurahan
or desa
Area
in km2
Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023
Post
code
53.11.16.1001Wangga4.16,91587116
53.11.16.1002Prailiu5.37,41787113
53.11.16.1003Kambaniru1.97,30787114
53.11.16.1004Mauliru5.84,78987116
53.11.16.1005Mauhau1.42,08387116
53.11.16.1006Malumbi11.22,19487116
53.11.16.1007Lambanapu6.93,41987115
53.11.16.2008Kiritana15.41,04187114
53.11.16Totals
Kambera
District
52.035,165

Climate

Waingapu has a tropical savanna climate, bordering a hot semi-arid climate. with relatively cooler dry season and hotter wet season. It has high humidity year round. It is amongst the driest places in Indonesia with only of rain yearly.