Maria – a small settlement in the eastern part of Kabupaten Bima, in Wawo District
Maria is an Indonesian village located in Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara) Province, within the administrative area of Kabupaten Bima, and specifically within the Kecamatan Wawo administrative unit. Geographically, it falls within the Bali and Lesser Sunda Islands macroregion, situated in the eastern portion of Sumbawa Island, near the meeting point of Bima Bay and the hilly interior areas. Based on its coordinates (–8.5176° S, 118.8888° E), it is located in the internally fragmented terrain of Kabupaten Bima. The available source material does not contain detailed information specific to Maria settlement, therefore the following sections present general knowledge available at the broader level of Kecamatan Wawo and Kabupaten Bima, with this distinction clearly indicated throughout.
General overview
Maria village is relatively little known in international tourism and real estate market literature alike; it is primarily recognized as one of the basic administrative units in the local governance system of Kabupaten Bima. Kecamatan Wawo is an interior, rural-character district within Kabupaten Bima, characterized primarily by agricultural activity and small-scale local commerce. The regency seat, Bima City (Kota Bima), is located in the western, coastal portion of the district, along Bima Bay, and from there the interior hilly villages – including those in Wawo District – typically lie several tens of kilometers away. Kabupaten Bima as a whole is largely agricultural in character, with the lives of local communities determined by rice and corn cultivation, livestock raising, and small-scale fishing. The infrastructure of rural villages is generally more modest than that of coastal towns, and access to basic services – healthcare, education, transportation – can be more limited in interior areas. Regarding Maria's settlements, source-based, concrete-level data are not available, therefore the information presented here reflects the general conditions of Kecamatan Wawo and Kabupaten Bima.
Real estate and investment
Specific real estate market data for Maria do not appear in available sources. Speaking generally about the broader region of Kabupaten Bima, the real estate market lags far behind the activity and turnover experienced on the islands of Bali or Lombok. In interior, rural-situated villages – such as Maria in Kecamatan Wawo – real estate transactions are typically of low intensity and concentrate mainly on local buyers. Compared to the coastal, tourism-developed areas, real estate prices in interior hilly villages tend to be considerably more modest, which could be promising for certain investor segments – however, market liquidity and infrastructure development also fall short of more developed regions. It is important to mention as a general legal framework that foreign nationals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) to real estate in Indonesia; according to applicable Indonesian land laws (particularly Law No. 5 of 1960 and its amendments), foreigners may utilize use rights (Hak Pakai) or, under certain conditions, lease arrangements. This general legal framework applies to all areas within Kabupaten Bima, including Maria. Before making any investment decision, it is strongly recommended to engage local legal and real estate experts.
Safety and security
No independent, verifiable source is available regarding the specific security situation in Maria. Considering Nusa Tenggara Barat Province as a whole, public safety is generally considered acceptable for everyday local life; however, in rural, interior areas – such as Kecamatan Wawo – the lack of infrastructure development and lower level of police presence can present certain challenges. The Kabupaten Bima region occasionally appears in the press in connection with local natural disasters – primarily floods and landslides – which proportionally affect the topographically fragmented interior areas. It is generally recommended that before traveling to any rural Indonesian area, travelers inform themselves about relevant travel advisories and local conditions. In the broader region, local community norms and traditions of mutual assistance play an important role in maintaining everyday security. For specific, up-to-date security assessments, it is worthwhile to consult official sources – such as publications from the Indonesian Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) or travel advisories from travelers' own countries' foreign affairs services.
Tourist attractions
No named tourist attractions appear in available source material regarding Maria village. However, the broader region of Kecamatan Wawo and Kabupaten Bima possesses numerous natural and cultural values that make the region as a whole attractive. The most famous natural landmark in Kabupaten Bima is Mount Tambora, which rises on the border between neighboring Kabupaten Dompu and Kabupaten Bima, and whose 1815 eruption was one of history's largest known volcanic events. Bima Bay and the Asi Mbojo (Bima Sultanate Palace), the palace complex of the Bima Sultanate located in Bima City, are the most important cultural and historical monuments of Kabupaten and Kota Bima. However, these attractions are located toward Kota Bima and other districts, rather than directly within Kecamatan Wawo, so adequate travel time planning is necessary to reach them from Maria. In interior hilly areas, nature walking, traditional textile culture (the region is also known for woven textiles), and familiarity with the local agricultural landscape can offer interesting program possibilities for receptive visitors.
Summary
Maria is a poorly documented, rural-character village in Kecamatan Wawo, within Kabupaten Bima, in Nusa Tenggara Barat Province. Its character is defined by interior, hilly location, modest infrastructure, and low tourism profile. The natural and cultural values of the broader Kabupaten Bima region – including Mount Tambora and the heritage of the Bima Sultanate – offer potential points of interest, although these attractions cannot be directly connected to Maria village itself. From a real estate market and investment perspective, the area, similar to the region as a whole, has low turnover and should be approached with consideration for applicable Indonesian land laws. Before any more concrete decision – whether travel planning, real estate purchase, or investment – it is essential to gather fresh, on-site, and expert information.
