Melio de Jesus

1. Geography

Lautém is a municipality in Timor-Leste, located in the eastern part, bordering the Timor Sea and Arafura Strait (east), Timor Sea (south), municipality of Baucau and Viqueque (west) and Wetar Strait (north ). The aforementioned municipality has six administrative posts: Lospalos, Lautém, Iliomar, Luro, Tutuala and Loré, including 34 sucos.
Demographically, the total population of Lautém is 92.409 and population density 36.90 occupied in the area of 1,813.11 km2. This population group speaks: Tetun, Fataluku, Makasa’e, Makalero, Sa’ane and Macoa.

2. Toponomy

Like other municipalities, Lautém also has its own name meaning the municipality. This word itself comes from Fataluco origin, composed of two languages: “Lau”-cloth and Tem/Teinu-sacred. According to history, since our elders, this municipality has been named Lauteinu or Lauteira, therefore Lautém means “sacred cloth”.

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3. History

According to history, before the Portuguese established their authority in Lautém, it had already ruled by traditional authority. In 1698, the Portuguese government introduced its authority through Governor António Coelho Guerreiro. At that time, he began to intervene with the traditional authorities in Timor, including Lautém. On April 20, 1859, through Governor Afonso de Castro, he established 11 districts, Lautém also as a district with his name Faturo district with its headquarters in Lautém, composed of Sarau kingdom and Matarupa kingdom. After the Second World War, Governor Oscar Ruas, changed command from military and became a Civil Circumscription, which consisted of the civil administrative post of Lospalos, Iliomar, Lautem Luro, Tutuala in Loré. At the time of the Indonesian occupation, Lautem as a District and currently as a municipality.

4. Climate

In terms of climate, the municipality of Lautém is generally the same as other municipalities in Timor-Leste. During the month of May to July, average rain has rain twice a week and during the month of November to January, average rain always in two hours of each day. During the month of August to October, hot and dry weather without rain. Medium climate between 23.6oC-31.8oC, with maximum climate up to 38oC. During summer time, the Raumoco stream, Ralailaba and Ira-Lalaro Lagoon were sources of drinking water.\

5. Point of Interest

The points of interest in the municipality of Lautém include the islet of Jaco, the COM beach, Umunira Lagoon, Ira Lalaro Lagoon, Pousada de Tutuala and Ili-Kere-Kere.