West Manggarai Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Manggarai Barat) is a second‑level administrative division (regency) of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. It occupies the western portion of the island of Flores and includes several offshore islands, most notably Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, which form part of Komodo National Park.
Geography
- Location: Western Flores, bounded to the east by Central Manggarai Regency, to the north by the Flores Sea, and to the south by the Sumba Strait.
- Area: Approximately 2,775 km² (official government statistics).
- Topography: The regency features a mix of coastal lowlands, rolling hills, and volcanic highlands, with the central part of Flores dominated by the volcanic chain that includes Mount Rokatenda.
Administrative centre
- The regency’s capital is the town of Labuan.
History
- West Manggarai Regency was created on 14 December 2008 under Law No. 56/2008, partitioned from the former larger Manggarai Regency to improve local governance.
Administrative divisions
- The regency is subdivided into 10 districts (kecamatan). Each district is further divided into villages (desa) and urban communities (kelurahan).
Demographics
- Population: According to the 2020 Census, the regency had a population of roughly 292,000 inhabitants. Mid‑2022 estimates place the population at about 312,000.
- Ethnicity and language: The majority of residents are ethnic Manggarai, with smaller groups of Ngada and other Flores peoples. The primary language is Manggarai, alongside Indonesian, the national language.
Economy
- The local economy is based on agriculture (cultivation of corn, cassava, and rice), fisheries, and tourism.
- Tourism is a significant sector, driven largely by the presence of Komodo National Park, which attracts both domestic and international visitors for its unique wildlife (including the Komodo dragon) and marine attractions.
Infrastructure
- Transportation includes a network of provincial roads linking Labuan with other towns on Flores, as well as ferry services to the offshore islands and to nearby regencies.
- Education and health services are administered through a series of primary and secondary schools, a regional hospital in Labuan, and several community health centers.
References
- Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) – East Nusa Tenggara Province publications.
- Government of West Manggarai Regency official website.
Note: All figures are based on the latest available official statistics and may be subject to revision in subsequent government releases.