Lautem

Lautem

Lautem is situated in the easternmost part of the island of Timor. It is approximately 215 kilometers by road east of the capital, Dili,. It is bounded in the north and east side by the Wetar Sea; in the south by the Timor Sea; in the southeast by Viqueque District; and in the northeast by Baucau District.

As one of the thirteen (13) districts of the soon-to-be independent East Timor, it occupies 1,702.33 km2 or almost 1/8 of the land area of the territory. The district also possesses one of the only two islands within the territory. The beautiful island of Jaco, which covers an area of 8 km2, is situated off the eastern point of the sub-district of Tutuala. Lospalos Township serves as the administrative and economic centre and is conveniently located in the centre of the District.

Timor land mass is a continental fragment. The foundation is largely made up of limestone and other sedimentary deposits. This differentiates it from its neighbours to the north and west in the Sunda chain, which are volcanic.

The topography of East Timor is dominated by the Ramelau mountain range a massive central backbone of up to 3,000 meters, , which is dissected by deep valleys prone to flash floods. Toward the northern side, the mountains extend almost to the coast without extensive plains. To the south, on the other hand, mountains taper off some distance from the sea leaving a wide littoral plain, more propitious for agriculture.

Lautem District has the same geological and geographical features as much of East Timor; the central part of the District, mountains and hills running southwest to northeast, from the south coast to the north coast. The District’s highest peak is Legumaw Mountain in Luro Sub-District and it is 1,297 meters high.

Mountains and hills are surrounded along the south coast by swamps, terraces and undulating plains; in the north side tape of terraces and undulating rolling plains; on the eastside of the District, lies the Fuiloro plateau descending in altitude southwards, from 700 meters to 500 meters. The plateau slopes down to the large Lake of Ira Lalaro, which covers approximately 2200 ha.

In general, 20-30% of Lautem is corrugated land, 30-35% highland and 35% mountainous. The District has predominantly lowland and fertile soils ideal for cultivation and where traditional agriculture is practiced.

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