West Timor

West Timor
Timor Barat
Dutch Timor
Indonesian Timor
Location of West Timor (orange) in Timor Island.
Country Indonesia
Province East Nusa Tenggara
Largest cityKupang
RegenciesBelu, Kupang, Malaka, North Central Timor, South Central Timor
Area
 • Total
14,513 km2 (5,604 sq mi)
Elevation2,427 m (7,963 ft)
Population
 (mid 2024 estimate)
 • Total
2,060,311
 • Density141.96/km2 (367.68/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (Central Indonesia Time)
Area code(62)3xx
Vehicle signDH
HDI 0.631 (Medium)

West Timor (Indonesian: Timor Barat) is a region covering the western part of the island of Timor, except for the district of Oecussi-Ambeno (an East Timorese exclave). Administratively, West Timor is part of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The capital as well as its main port is Kupang. During the colonial period, the area was named Dutch Timor and was a centre of Dutch loyalists during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). From 1949 to 1975 it was named Indonesian Timor.

The total area of West Timor is 14,513.03 km2 (5,603.51 sq mi), including offshore islands. The highest peaks are Mount Mutis, 2,427 meters (7,963 ft) above sea level, and Mount Lakaan, 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) above sea level. The main languages of West Timor are Dawan, Marae and Tetun, as well as several other languages, such as Kemak, Bunak and Helong, are also used in Timor-Leste. The other three languages which are only used in the local area of the Austronesian language group from the Fabron branches are Ndao, Rote and Sabu (all spoken on smaller islands to the west of Timor but within East Nusa Tenggara). The most populous cities and towns are Kupang City with 474,801 inhabitants according to the official estimates for mid 2024, Atambua Town with 82,258 inhabitants, Kefamenanu Town with 50,249 inhabitants, Soe Town with 42,022 inhabitants, and Betun Town with 42,329 inhabitants.