West Timor

West Timor is a political region comprising half of the island of Timor with the exception of the Oecussi-Ambeno district (which is part of East Timor) and is part of the Indonesian province of Provincia of the Lesser Eastern Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara Timur, NTT), one of the main provinces of Indonesia. West Timor occupies an area of 15,850 km² including the offshore islands. The capital and its main port is Kupang, in addition to the population with the most inhabitants in the region.

The highest peaks are Mount Mutis, at 2,427 meters above sea level, and Mount Lakaan, at 1,600 meters.

The main languages of West Timor, Dawan, Marae, and Tetun, as well as other languages, such as Kemak, Bunak, and Helong, are also used in East Timor. The other three languages that are only used in the local area of the Austronesian language group of the Fabrona branches are Ndao, Rote and Sabu.

West Timor was a haven for refugees between 1998 and 2002, due to the protracted conflict in East Timor. Some of the most populous cities are Kupang city with more than 400,000 inhabitants, Atambua city with more than 86,000 inhabitants, Kefamenanu city with more than 40,000 inhabitants, and Soe city with more than 40,000 population.

History

European colonization of Timor began in the 16th century. Although the Portuguese claimed the island of Timor in 1520, the Dutch (in the form of the Dutch East India Company) colonized West Timor in 1640, forcing the Portuguese to go to East Timor. The subsequent collapse of the company meant that, in 1799, the area returned to official Dutch rule. Finally, in 1914, the border between East and West Timor was fixed by a treaty between Portugal and the Netherlands originally signed in 1859 and modified in 1893.

West Timor had resident status within the Dutch East Indies.

Japan conquered the island during World War II in early 1942. After Indonesia's independence, West Timor became part of the new Republic of Indonesia.

Geography

West Timor is an apolitical region comprising the western half of the island of Timor, with the exception of Oecusse district (which is politically part of East Timor) and is part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. The surface area of West Timor is 16,264.78 square kilometres. The highest point in West Timor is Mount Mutis, at 2,427 metres.

West Timor has large and extensive savannahs, and has fairly dry temperatures, with minimal rainfall.

Roti Island, the southernmost island of Indonesia, is southwest of West Timor.

West Timor's largest city and main port is Kupang, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur province.

West Timor lies between Australia and East Timor, making the island a strategic location for Indonesian trade.