Labuan Kananga – small coastal settlement in the Tambora district of Sumbawa island
Labuan Kananga is an Indonesian village (desa) that belongs to the Tambora district (Kecamatan Tambora) and is administratively part of Kabupaten Bima (Bima regency) in West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) province. The settlement is located on the island of Sumbawa, within the Lesser Sunda Islands macroregion – also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands – which is typically characterized by its proximity to Bali and its volcanic natural features. Based on its coordinates (-8.1401564, 117.7901088), the area is situated in the northern part of Sumbawa island, toward Bima. Statistical data at the settlement level is not currently available, so the following presents verifiable information accessible at the broader regency and provincial level, with clear indication of the source level in each case.
General overview
In the name Labuan Kananga, the word "labuan" means a port or anchorage in Indonesian and Malay, which may suggest that the settlement traditionally fulfilled maritime transportation, fishing, or commercial functions, although no verifiable source on the specific village confirms this. Kecamatan Tambora, to which the settlement belongs, takes its name from the Tambora Peninsula, where the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora was one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded human history – this geological and historical heritage is one of the defining characteristics of the broader district. According to the 2020 census data for Kabupaten Bima, the regency had a total population of 532,677 inhabitants, with a population density of 156 persons/km², which indicates relatively low density, suggesting an area predominantly agricultural and fishing in character. The regency capital is located in Kecamatan Woha. Labuan Kananga itself is a small settlement, classified in the local administrative hierarchy as a desa (village-level) unit, for which precise population or area data is not contained in any publicly available source at present.
Real estate and investment
No real estate market data or price statistics are publicly available for Labuan Kananga, therefore the following reflects the broader context of Kabupaten Bima and West Nusa Tenggara province. The province's real estate market generally shows slower development than neighboring Bali or Lombok, as tourism infrastructure and investor attention are less concentrated on this area. The more isolated location of the Tambora district and limited transportation connections affect market demand and property liquidity. As an important note on the general legal framework in Indonesia, foreign individuals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) over land in Indonesia; for them, Hak Pakai (use rights) and in certain cases Hak Sewa (lease rights) are available in lawful forms, while through a company (PT PMA) certain commercial land-use rights may be accessible. These national-level regulations apply equally to Kabupaten Bima and Labuan Kananga. Local real estate prices – considering the regency's general level of economic development – are presumably lower than those in tourism-developed regions, however, without precise data, no concrete statement can be made regarding this.
Safety and security
Specific, authenticated data on public safety in Labuan Kananga is not available. Generally speaking, small rural settlements in West Nusa Tenggara province are typically characterized by low crime rates and strong community ties, where public safety conditions tend to be more favorable than in urban areas – this should, however, be treated with caution, as systematic, publicly published data is not available for the specific district. The relative remoteness of the Tambora Peninsula, on one hand, may reduce the presence of organized crime, on the other hand, the area is particularly affected by disaster risks, especially in terms of volcanic and seismic activity: Mount Tambora lies in a geologically active area, which is a relevant natural hazard factor for residents and potential investors. Before traveling, it is advisable to consult current safety assessments published by Indonesian authorities or one's own country's foreign affairs information services.
Tourist attractions
No verifiable source currently provides information on Labuan Kananga as a tourist destination with named attractions specific to it. The broader Kecamatan Tambora area, however, has one outstanding natural and historical landmark: Mount Tambora (Gunung Tambora), which became world-famous for its 1815 eruption, and whose caldera remains visitable today. This attraction is associated with the Tambora district area, so it should not be far from Labuan Kananga, although we do not provide verified information on the exact distance. The northern coastline of Sumbawa is generally characterized by the presence of maritime activities – fishing, maritime transport – which are part of the daily life of coastal villages, but no source is found regarding organized tourist infrastructure developed for visitors in Labuan Kananga. At the regency level, Kabupaten Bima is also known for local weaving traditions and certain elements of traditional marapu culture, which form part of the island's cultural heritage, although the specific locations where these manifest in the given village are not known from sources.
Summary
Labuan Kananga is a small, rural Indonesian settlement located on the island of Sumbawa, belonging to Kecamatan Tambora and Kabupaten Bima in West Nusa Tenggara province. Its defining geographical context is provided by the nearby Mount Tambora volcano and the coastal plain. Since no publicly available statistical or tourism sources exist about the settlement, the real estate market, public safety, and tourist characteristics have been framed using regency and provincial-level context. The place may primarily be a waypoint in travel plans for those interested in Mount Tambora, though no source provides information on other organized tourism offerings.
