Boalemo Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Boalemo) is a second‑level administrative division (regency) of Gorontalo Province on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its administrative centre is the town of Tilamuta.
History
Boalemo Regency was established on 5 December 2003 by the Indonesian government pursuant to Law No. 31/2003, which split the former Gorontalo Regency into separate regencies to improve local governance. The area had previously been administered as part of Gorontalo Regency.
Geography
The regency occupies the north‑western coastal portion of Gorontalo Province, bordering the Gulf of Tomini to the north, Gorontalo Regency to the south, and North Gorontalo Regency to the east. It covers an area of approximately 2,783 km². The terrain is a mix of low‑lying coastal plains, hilly interiors, and several small rivers that drain into the gulf.
Administrative divisions
Boalemo Regency is divided into 13 districts (kecamatan), which are further subdivided into a total of 151 villages (desa and kelurahan). The districts include Botumoita, Biau, Dulupi, Tilamuta, Paguyaman, Paguyaman Pantai, Mananggu, Paguat, Mananggu, Tambangan, Bunta, Ponelo Kepulauan, and others (full district names may be confirmed by regional statistics).
Demographics
According to the national censuses conducted by Statistics Indonesia (BPS):
| Census year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | ~150,951 |
| 2020 | ~211,484 |
The majority of the population are ethnic Gorontalo, with minorities of Minahasan, Bugis, and other groups. The predominant language is Gorontalo, while Bahasa Indonesia serves as the official language. Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by an estimated 90 % of residents, with Christianity and indigenous beliefs represented among minority communities.
Economy
The regency’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, fisheries, and small‑scale trade. Key agricultural products include:
- Coconut
- Corn
- Cassava
- Various horticultural crops
The coastal location supports a significant fishing sector, supplying both fresh fish and processed seafood to local markets and neighboring regencies. Small manufacturing enterprises produce coconut oil, traditional woven goods, and timber products.
Infrastructure
- Transportation: A network of provincial and regency roads links Boalemo’s districts to the provincial capital, Gorontalo City, and to the regional port of Gorontalo. Public bus services and minivan (angkot) routes provide intra‑regency mobility.
- Health: The regency operates several community health centers (puskesmas) and a regional hospital in Tilamuta.
- Education: Primary and secondary schools are administered by the regency’s education department, complemented by a few vocational schools. Higher‑education facilities are located in Gorontalo City, the nearest university hub.
Culture and tourism
Boalemo hosts traditional Gorontalo cultural events, such as the Bungkulo dance and local festivals that celebrate harvests and sea‑related activities. Tourist attractions include coastal beaches, mangrove forests, and cultural sites that showcase traditional architecture and handicrafts.
This entry reflects information available from official Indonesian government publications and census data up to 2022.