Masamba

Masamba
District and town
Masamba
Location in Sulawesi
Coordinates: 2°33′11″S 120°19′39″E / 2.55306°S 120.32750°E / -2.55306; 120.32750
Country Indonesia
ProvinceSouth Sulawesi
RegencyNorth Luwu Regency
Area
  Total
1,068.85 km2 (412.69 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)
  Total
39,266
  Density37/km2 (95/sq mi)
 
Time zoneUTC+8 (WITA)
Postal code
92912 ‒ 92961
Area code0473

Masamba is a small river town and district (kecamatan) in the North Luwu Regency of South Sulawesi Province of Indonesia which serves as the seat of the regency. The town lies on the Patikala River. It is served by Andi Jemma Airport. The district covers an area of 1,068.85 km2 and had a population of 38,024 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 39,266 (comprising 19,481 males and 19,785 females). Much of the land in the region is swampy coastal plains with mangroves found in its shallow waters.

A population of Bugis who are known to be Muslims come from Masamba. A number of these Islamic Bugis moved out of the village into Rompu in the 1940s and into the lowlands of the region into Tabalu and Saatu in the 1950s and 1960s. Rattan trading and making is said to be important to the local economy. Coconuts are also grown near the coast in this region of Sulawesi.