| Atambua | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Husar Binan Tetuk No Nesan Diak No Kmanek | |
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Atambua
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Province | Nusa Tenggara Timur |
| Regency | Belu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 32.8 km2 (12.7 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 42,888 |
| Time zone | WITA (UTC+8) |
| Website | www.atambua-ntt.go.id |
Atambua is a town in the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia and it is the seat (capital) of Belu Regency. The city stretched as far as 8.5 km from North to South and 5 km from East to West, located in the west of Timor Island. The city is located at an altitude of about 300 m above sea level with temperatures ranging between 27-35 degrees Celsius making this area feels quite warm. In September 1999, 250,000 refugees arrived here from East Timor, after their vote for independence and the following violence. As late as 2002 there was an estimated 60,000 refugees left in camps.[1]
The city is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Atambua. The Diocese's population is over 95% Catholic, among the highest percentages of Catholics in all of Indonesia.
City transportation system served by the minibus Atambua transportation usually called Bemo or Mikrolet, and alternative transportation by motorcycle usually called Ojek. There only four routes in the city served by Mikrolet that connecting several terminals, but the Ojek did not have a route, it's depending on passenger demand. To connect Atambua, with other cities in West Timor, are used inter-city buses, where the cities that can be connected are Kupang, Soe and Kefamenanu, the distance betwen Atambua-Kefamenanu 87 Km, Atambua-Soe 179 Km and Atambua -Kupang 289 Km. Atambua is a major gateway to East Timor by land. To going to the East Timor (Timor-Leste), the vehicles usually used by street to Indonesia-East Timor (Timor-Leste) Immigration checks in Motaain (Indonesia) near Batugada mostly with Bus, Car (such as SUVs and MPVs and Motorcycles. Distance between Atambua and Motaain (Indonesia-Timor Leste borders) is about 30 Km. There is an airport in Atambua, Haliwen, it's about 5 Km from Atambua. The airport runway about 1200 m that can be landed by small aircraft. Airline flights to the airport Haliwen is MNA, the NBA and Susi Air, with flights Atambua-Kupang route commute every day. In addition, Atambua also has two sea ports, Atapupu for cargo and oil, and Teluk Gurita for passengers (ferry port). Ferry routes Atambua-Kalabahi (Alor), once a week.