Dara – kelurahan in Kota Bima city, on Sumbawa island
Dara is a kelurahan (urban village/administrative unit) that belongs to the Rasanae Barat kecamatan (district) within Kota Bima city. Kota Bima is part of Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara, abbreviated NTB) province and is located on the eastern end of Sumbawa island. Based on its coordinates (−8.49° S, 118.72° E) within the Bali and Lesser Sunda Islands macro-region, the area lies near the Flores Sea, in one of Sumbawa's most significant urban centers. Settlement-level statistical sources for Dara are not currently available, so this description relies primarily on the broader administrative and regional context.
General overview
Dara is located in the Rasanae Barat kecamatan of Kota Bima city. Kota Bima is one of the most important urban administrative units at the eastern end of Sumbawa island, functioning as an independent city distinct from the neighboring Kabupaten Bima. The city lies on the shores of Bima Bay and traditionally serves as a commercial, administrative, and cultural center for the surrounding region. Dara, as one of the kelurahans in the Rasanae Barat district, is presumably a residential area integrated into the urban fabric, though detailed, verifiable territorial data on this is not available. According to provincial-level sources, the majority population on Sumbawa island belongs to the Bima (Mbojo) and Sumbawa ethnic groups, and this cultural heritage is reflected in the everyday life, local customs, and dress of Kota Bima. According to mid-2024 data, Nusa Tenggara Barat province has approximately 5.67 million inhabitants in total, with an average population density of around 264 persons per km², though this figure applies to the province as a whole and individual cities may have considerably higher densities.
Real estate and investment
No specific, verifiable data is available regarding the real estate market of Dara kelurahan. In broader context, it can be noted that Kota Bima and the Kabupaten Bima region form one of the actively developing urban zones in Nusa Tenggara Barat province, where infrastructure investments have gradually expanded over recent decades. For the province as a whole, real estate demand primarily comes from local and regional domestic buyers, while foreign investor interest tends to concentrate on the more tourism-developed areas of Lombok island. Under Indonesia's current land ownership regulations, foreign nationals cannot acquire direct ownership rights (Hak Milik) to real estate; however, they may be eligible for agreements based on long-term use rights (such as Hak Pakai or Hak Sewa), the details of which should always be consulted with a local legal expert. The commercial and administrative functions of Kota Bima city may provide stability to the local real estate market, but before making any investment decision, it is advisable to seek current on-site and legal information, as real estate market conditions in the province can vary significantly by area.
Safety and security
No specific, verifiable statistics are available regarding public safety in Dara kelurahan. In general terms, it can be said that Kota Bima and the broader Nusa Tenggara Barat region are not among Indonesia's areas of particular security concern, and daily life proceeds uninterrupted in the city. As in all Indonesian cities, traffic discipline and general caution—particularly in crowded market areas and during nighttime hours—are advisable here as well. According to generally accepted Indonesian travel guidance, visitors are advised to monitor current travel warnings issued by their country's foreign affairs authorities and to follow standard safety precautions. In the absence of settlement-level crime or public safety data, strong generalizations should be avoided, so the above observations merely reflect the regional context.
Tourist attractions
No named tourist attractions specific to Dara are listed in available sources. The broader Kota Bima and Bima region, however, possesses several known sites of interest that are accessible within nearby areas. In the eastern part of Sumbawa, the historical heritage of the Bima Sultanate is defining: the sultanic palace (Istana Bima) in the city is traditionally one of the region's most renowned cultural monuments, though it can be mentioned in sources exclusively in connection with Kota Bima as a whole, and cannot be attributed specifically to Dara kelurahan. Mount Tambora, whose 1815 eruption was one of the largest documented volcanic events in history, is located in the more western part of Sumbawa island and constitutes a defining element of the region's natural heritage, though it lies at considerable distance from Kota Bima. The coastline of Bima Bay also belongs to the natural features of the area. Since Dara is specifically an urban kelurahan, it is more likely to have a transit or residential character rather than function as an independent tourist destination.
Summary
Dara is a kelurahan in the Rasanae Barat kecamatan of Kota Bima city, in Nusa Tenggara Barat province, on the eastern part of Sumbawa island. Although detailed, independent statistical or tourism sources for the settlement are not available, the broader Kota Bima urban environment serves regional administrative, commercial, and cultural functions and can be identified as part of the Mbojo cultural heritage along Bima Bay. For assessment of real estate market and security matters, the provincial and regency-level context can provide a starting point, but current, on-site information is always advisable.
