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, 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 2023 was 88,784; however this included 10,875 inhabitants of offshore islands, so that the figure for the town itself was 77,909. 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.

Villages

The 3 districts (kecamatan) are sub-divided into 13 urban (kelurahan) and 8 rural (desa) villages: 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.

Mother of All Nations

Mother of All Nations (Indonesian: Bunda Segala Bangsa) is a statue of Mother Mary in Nilo hill, 5 km south-west from Maumere. The statue stands 18 m tall, but with its pedestal and foundation it is 28 m tall. The 6-ton copper-clad statue was constructed on 2005, located at the peak of the 500 m 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 (Köppen Aw) with a long dry season and short wet season.