WEST NUSA TENGGARA

West Nusa Tenggara (Indonesian: Nusa Tenggara Barat) is a province in south-central Indonesia. It covers the western portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, except for Bali.

The two largest islands in the province are Lombok in the west and the larger Sumbawa island in the east. Mataram, on Lombok, is the capital and largest city of the province. The province is administratively divided into six regencies (kabupaten) and one municipality (kotamadya):

• Bima
• Dompu
• West Lombok
• Central Lombok
• East Lombok
• Sumbawa
• West Sumbawa
• Mataram (municipality)
• Bima (municipality)

Lombok is mainly inhabited by the Sasak ethnic group, with a minority Balinese population, and Sumbawa is inhabited by Sumbawa and Bima ethnic groups. Each of these groups has a local language associated with it as well. The population of the province is 3.821.134; 71 percent of the population lives in Lombok (As of 2000[update] census).

A 2002 United Nations Development Programme report classified West Nusa Tenggara as the least-developed province in Indonesia.

History

Formerly known as Sunda Kecil (Small Sunda), the West Nusa Tenggara Province became East Indonesia State part in 1951.

1938 - The formation of a Neo Municipality, a self regulated area (Dutch: Zelf Bestuur Regelen).

9 May 1949 - Based on the Lombok government constitution, East Indonesia Presidents' decision on 9 May 1949 No.5/Prv/49, Lombok did not contain a municipality but was an area conducted by Dutch Government.

1957 - Based on the first Constitution, the regional government was a fact.

14 August 1958 - The formation of The Swatantra I and Swatantra II area,finalised in 1961.

Source : Wikipedia