Timor

Timor, the largest and most easterly of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the East Indian Archipelago, separated from North Australia by the Arafura Sea. It is 300 miles long from N.E. to S.W., with an average breadth of 60 miles, and has an area of about 12,000 square miles. The number of inhabitants is supposed to be about 500,000. The surface is rugged and mountainous, reaching a height of 11,500 feet. Timor is less volcanic than the neighbouring islands. The principal exports are sandalwood, maize, and ponies. The whole of the western portion of the island belongs nominally to Holland, and the eastern portion to Portugal, but large districts are still ruled by native chieftains.