Bontokape – small settlement in Kabupaten Bima Bolo District, Sumbawa Island
Bontokape is an Indonesian settlement located within Kabupaten Bima, which belongs to Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara) Province, in Kecamatan Bolo District. Geographically, it is situated on the eastern side of Sumbawa Island; according to its coordinates (−8.51° S, 118.65° E), it lies south of the equator, close to the island's northern coast. In macro-regional classification, it falls within the broader zone of Bali and the Lesser Sunda Islands. Since no settlement-level sources are available, the following presentation is based on verifiable data at district, regency, and provincial levels, with clear indication of when the analysis shifts to these broader scales.
General overview
Bontokape belongs to Kecamatan Bolo administrative district, which forms part of Kabupaten Bima on the eastern side of Sumbawa Island. Kabupaten Bima itself—distinguished separately from the independently administered Kota Bima—is one of the larger regencies in the province, with its seat in Raba. For the province as a whole, Indonesian Wikipedia sources record that Nusa Tenggara Barat had approximately 5,666,314 inhabitants as of mid-2024, with a population density of 264 persons/km². Among the population living on Sumbawa Island, the Bima ethnic group (also called Mbojo) and the Sumbawa group constitute the two largest communities. Bontokape itself does not appear in prominent regional sources, indicating it is a relatively small, agriculturally oriented village. Kecamatan Bolo territory is generally characterized by rice and corn cultivation, as well as local small-scale trade, reflecting the lifestyle known from the rural interior districts of Sumbawa Island. The settlement lies at a considerable distance east of the province's administrative capital, Mataram, since Mataram is located on Lombok Island, while Bontokape is situated on Sumbawa Island.
Real estate and investment
No local-level real estate market data is available for Bontokape, so the following reflects the broader regency and provincial context. In Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, real estate market activity is heavily concentrated: the vast majority of investment and tourist flows are directed toward Lombok, particularly the Mataram–Senggigi–Gili axis and the gradually developing southern Lombok coast. On Sumbawa Island, and within Kabupaten Bima territory specifically, real estate development activity is considerably lower; transactions primarily occur between local buyers and sellers, with land use oriented mainly toward agriculture and residential purposes. For foreign nationals, Indonesian land law—based on the 1960 Basic Agrarian Law (Undang-Undang Pokok Agraria) and its amendments—restricts direct land ownership; foreigners may acquire rights only under Hak Pakai (usufruct rights), which must be exercised through the involvement of an Indonesian citizen or legal entity. This general Indonesian framework also applies to Kabupaten Bima territory, regardless of the size of any given settlement.
Safety and security
No independent, verifiable statistical sources are available regarding public safety in Bontokape. With respect to the broader province, Nusa Tenggara Barat, it may be generally stated that rural districts—to which Kecamatan Bolo settlements belong—typically experience lower crime levels than urbanized areas. Regency-level public security matters fall under the jurisdiction of Polres Bima. For travelers and potential investors, it is always advisable to consult with local authorities or reliable local sources regarding current conditions, as reliable data sufficient to support a more precise assessment is not available in either positive or negative direction.
Tourist attractions
Bontokape itself is not featured in tourism sources with named attractions. However, several well-known natural and cultural sites are accessible within the broader Kabupaten Bima region. Located within the regency territory is Mount Tambora, which became known as one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history through its 1815 eruption and is now a destination for trekking routes. Kota Bima and its immediate surroundings also offer cultural sites, including commemorative locations connected to the heritage of the Bima Sultanate. Along the northern coasts of Sumbawa Island, several beaches and snorkeling areas can be found, known in the region for their local marine fauna and coral reefs. However, regarding Bontokape, these sites represent only the broader regency-level offerings; specific distance information, named beaches, or attractions directly connected to the village cannot be documented from sources.
Summary
Bontokape is a small, rural settlement within Kabupaten Bima, located in Kecamatan Bolo District, on the eastern side of Sumbawa Island. No independent, verifiable sources are available for the village itself, so its description can only be grounded in documented connections at the district, regency, and Nusa Tenggara Barat provincial levels. The broader region is predominantly rural in character, with the Mbojo and Sumbawa communities dominant on Sumbawa Island; the primary focal points for real estate markets and tourism in the province lie elsewhere—principally in Lombok. For those seeking specific information about Bontokape, the local administrative authorities of Kabupaten Bima, together with on-site inquiry, offer the most reliable sources.
