Province

East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara is a province in Indonesia that encompasses a diverse landscape spread across numerous islands in the southern part of the archipelago. Covering an area of 46,452 square kilometers, the province comprises more than 500 islands, with the major ones being Flores, Sumba, and Timor, the largest island in the province.

Administratively, East Nusa Tenggara is divided into 21 regencies and one municipality, namely Kupang, which holds the title for the smallest area, spanning just 152.59 square kilometers, and serves as the capital city of the province. Given its island geography, accessing the capital requires various transportation modes. Land routes are utilized for regencies on Timor island, including Kupang Regency, South Central Timor, North Central Timor, Belu, Malaka, and Kupang City, while other areas rely on sea and/or air travel.

As of 2024, up to 5.6 million reside in the province, with this population primarily consisting of Christians and Catholics, followed by Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Additionally, several people in Sumba island also practice the indigenous belief of Marapu.

In terms of demographic makeup, East Nusa Tenggara is equally varied with diverse ethnic groups. This includes the dominant indigenous people of Atoni, Manggarai, Sumba, Solor, Ngada, Timor Leste, Rote, Lio, Alor, and Sawu, alongside Kalimantan, Javanese, Sulawesi, Bugis, West Nusa Tenggara, Papuan, Maluku, Chinese, Balinese, and Batak people.

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East Nusa Tenggara’s economy

East Nusa Tenggara’s economy, based on its 2023 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), experienced a growth of 3.52 percent compared to the previous year, achieving a total of Rp 75.2 billion.

The province’s economy relies heavily on the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, which happens to be the largest contributor to the province’s GRDP with Rp 20.8 billion. The second most prominent economic sector in the province is the wholesale and repair trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which contributed Rp 9.2 billion. Lastly, the construction sector is the third largest contributor to East Nusa Tenggara’s 2023 GRDP, with Rp 7.8 billion.

National strategic projects (PSNs) are also being developed in East Nusa Tenggara, which encompasses sectors such as ports, airports, and dams. In the port sector, the Labuan Bajo Multipurpose Terminal and the development of Kupang Port are underway in the province. Additionally, PSNs such as Komodo Labuan Bajo Airport, Mbay dam, Napun Gete dam, Temef dam, and Manikin dam, and the super-priority tourism destination development program (DPSP) in Labuan Bajo, are also underway.

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Latest News

April 23, 2025

Thousands of local Catholics and pilgrims flocked from various regions of Indonesia and abroad to Larantuka District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province as of Apr. 17, 2025. The pilgrims came since Apr. 15, 2025 specifically to attend the  2025 Semana Santa procession for the Holy Week that culminates with Easter.

Semana Santa is not just a sacred religious ceremony, but also a blend of traditional local culture and historical heritage from centuries ago with the coming of the Portuguese to the region.

Pilgrims and Catholics have various reasons to attend Semana Santa. On top of praying, they also want to experience a unique religious experience. Semana Santa, as a form of devotion to the Virgin Mary, mother of God, and Jesus Christ, is believed by Catholics to be one of the moments to convey special intentions for prayers.

The local community and pilgrims believe that every form of prayer that is recited earnestly, sincerely, and devoutly during the Semana Santa pilgrimage will have a place in God's heart. Therefore, many pilgrims who are sick or who bring their unwell family members pray for healing and recovery with the blessing of God during Semana Santa.

Tens of thousands of Catholics and pilgrims have filled Larantuka City since Holy Wednesday. The number of pilgrims continued to increase during the Maundy Thursday mass at the Cathedral Church of the Queen of the Rosary Larantuka, or the Larantuka Cathedral.

After the Maundy Thursday mass, the congregation and pilgrims flocked to pay their respects to Tuan Ma (the Virgin Mary) and Tuan Ana (Jesus Christ) at the Tuan Ma Larantuka Chapel and Tuan Ana Larantuka Chapel in the city center near the cathedral.

The two chapels were opened on the afternoon of Apr. 16, 2025, with a ceremony in the form of prayers involving the local community and confraternity, which include Larantuka King Don Andreas Martinus Diaz Viera de Godinho. The Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues are located inside their respective chapels.

The pilgrims and local congregation pays their respects by kissing the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues while offering special prayers to God. Various agricultural produce from the local community are also placed in the chapel as an expression of gratitude for God's blessings.

The pilgrims stand in line that goes for multiple kilometers while praying from noon to night. The hot and rainy weather does not deter the pilgrims and local Catholics. When entering the chapel door, the pilgrims must also walk on their knees towards the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana statues. Most pilgrims wear black as a symbol of mourning for the suffering of Jesus Christ.

The congregation and pilgrims were still queuing in front of the Tuan Ma and Tuan Ana Chapel as of the morning Apr. 18, 2025, before the two statues would be paraded in the afternoon. The heavy rain on Friday morning did not dampen their determination to continue moving up the queue.

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