Ainaro Municipality
Ainaro (Portuguese: Município Ainaro, Tetum: Munisípiu Ainaru) is one of 13 municipalities of East Timor, in the southwest part of the country. It has a population of 59,175 (census 2010) and an area of 804 km².[2] Its capital is the city of Ainaro, a small mountain town.
Ainaro | |
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 Maubisse village | |
 Official map | |
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OpenStreetMap  | |
| Coordinates: 9°05′S 125°29′E | |
| Country |  East Timor |
| Capital | Ainaro |
| Administrative posts | Ainaro, Hato-Udo, Hatu-Builico, Maubisse |
| Area | |
| • Total | 802.6 km2 (309.9 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 9th |
| Population (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 63,136 |
| • Rank | 10th |
| • Density | 79/km2 (200/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 6th |
| Households (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 10,601 |
| • Rank | 9th |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (TLT) |
| ISO 3166 code | TL-AN |
| HDI (2017) | 0.560[1] medium · 12th |
Etymology
The name of the municipality is derived from 'Ai Naruk', the local Mambai language word for "tall tree", and refers to a species of tree that grows in the region. Ainaro is a Portuguese approximation of Ainaru, the Mambai and Tetum derivation.[3]
The traditional name of the region, 'Orluli', is still used today by Lian Nain during ceremonies, such as the sergala, to greet important guests.[4]
Geography
Ainaro has a great abundance of rivers and fertile terrain for agriculture. It has a coastal area, on the Timor Sea, but also mountainous zones, including the highest point in East Timor, Mount Ramelau (2,960 m), also known as Tatamailau, which lies near the border with Ermera.
The borders of the municipality are identical to that of the same in Portuguese Timor, with the following exceptions: during the Indonesian occupation, the then subdistrict of Turiscai became part of Manufahi from Ainaro, and the then subdistrict of Hato-Udo became part of Ainaro in exchange. The then subdistrict of Mape-Zumalai became part of Cova Lima in 2003.
The municipality borders Aileu to the north, Manufahi to the south, Cova Lima to the southwest, Bobonaro to the west, and Ermera to the northwest.
Borders of Ainaro before 2003
Borders of Ainaro after 2003
Cities and rivers of Ainaro
History
Ainaro played an important role during the brutal Indonesian occupation of East Timor, providing shelter for the mountain-based guerrilla resistance army. Former guerrilla leader and current President Xanana Gusmão spent many years directing the resistance from Ainaro.
Administrative posts
The municipality's administrative posts (formerly sub-districts) are:[5]
Demographics
62,4 % of the population is speaking Mambai as mother tongue, 29,1 % Tetum ans 7,5 % Bunak. 400 persons are speaking Kemak. 99,1 % are catholics, 0,9 % protestants, 0,03 % muslime and only 19 persons are following still the traditional believing (census 2015).
References
Notes
- "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- "Rezumu hosi Rezultadu Prinsipál Sensu 2010 iha Timor-Leste" (PDF). La'o Hamutuk. 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- Hull, Geoffrey (June 2006). "The placenames of East Timor" (PDF). Placenames Australia: Newsletter of the Australian National Placenames Survey: 6–7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- "Municipalities Profile: Ainaro". Portal Municipal. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- Gunn, Geoffrey C (2011). Historical Dictionary of East Timor. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 36. ISBN 9780810867543.
Bibliography
- Ainaro District Development Plan 2002 - 2003 (PDF) (Report). April 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2022.