Tambolaka (Waitabula) | |
|---|---|
  Tambolaka (Waitabula) Tambolaka (Waitabula) (Indonesia) Show map of Indonesia | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Region | Lesser Sunda Islands |
| Province | East Nusa Tenggara |
| Regency | Southwest Sumba |
| Area | |
• Total | 98.95 km2 (38.20 sq mi) |
| Population (2020 Census) | |
• Total | 35,790 |
| • Metro density | 361.7/km2 (937/sq mi) |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (WITA /UTC) |
Tambolaka is the administrative capital of theSouthwest Sumba Regency on the island ofSumba in theEast Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It serves as a key administrative and economic center for the western part of Sumba, particularly known for itsairport which facilitates access to the region. The economy of is largely agrarian, with a focus onsubsistence farming andlivestock, alongside a growing tourism sector based on beaches, and cultural festivals.
Tambolaka is the capital of theSouthwest Sumba Regency, on the island ofSumba, which is part of theEast Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It was called as Waitabula in native language, before being known by the name of the airport.[2] The town covers an area of 98.95 km2 (38.20 sq mi).[3] The area around Tambolaka features a combination of coastal and inland highlands such as the Mount Setengah Dewa and the high plateau of Lendungara to the east of the city.[2][4] The Sumba region supports various bird species.[5]
Tambolaka has atropical savanna climate (KöppenAw) with moderate to little rainfall from May to November and heavy rainfall from December to April.
| Climate data for Tambolaka | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.1 (86.2) | 30.7 (87.3) | 31.1 (88.0) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.2 (86.4) | 30.1 (86.2) | 30.6 (87.1) | 31.3 (88.3) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.5 (88.7) | 30.9 (87.6) | 30.8 (87.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 25.7 (78.3) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.7 (78.3) | 25.6 (78.1) | 25.0 (77.0) | 24.3 (75.7) | 23.6 (74.5) | 23.9 (75.0) | 24.8 (76.6) | 25.9 (78.6) | 26.3 (79.3) | 25.9 (78.6) | 25.2 (77.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.7 (69.3) | 20.6 (69.1) | 20.7 (69.3) | 20.2 (68.4) | 19.4 (66.9) | 18.4 (65.1) | 17.2 (63.0) | 17.3 (63.1) | 18.4 (65.1) | 19.9 (67.8) | 21.2 (70.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | 19.6 (67.3) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 301 (11.9) | 280 (11.0) | 233 (9.2) | 133 (5.2) | 65 (2.6) | 47 (1.9) | 19 (0.7) | 17 (0.7) | 19 (0.7) | 44 (1.7) | 70 (2.8) | 236 (9.3) | 1,464 (57.7) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org[6] | |||||||||||||
The town has a cathedral, a hospital and a monastery. It also hosts the largest permanent market on Sumba and is a major trading center for west-facing villages.[2] The town is served byTambolaka Airport, located north of Tambolaka and the coastal and harbour town of Waikelo.[2][7] Ground connectivity is there with other settlements within the island and ferry links toBali.[8][9] The economy of is largely agrarian, with a focus onsubsistence farming andlivestock, alongside a growing tourism sector based on beaches, cultural sites, handicrafts and festivals. The annual Pasola festival is a spear-throwing battle by men on horseback, to celebrate the harvests.[10][11]
