Situation and limits
In this topic, references to the localization of the island in the Indonesian archipelago are
followed by a descrimination of the four territories that compose East Timor,
by order of importance, the mainland, the enclave of Ocússi-Ambeno in
West Timor, and the islands of Ataúro in the north and tiny Jaco at
east.
The localization and composing territories
Timor, the Malay word for "Orient", is an island of the Malay Archipelago, the
largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sundas, lying between parallels 8 deg. 17'
and 10 deg. 22' of south latitude and meridians 123 deg. 25' and 127 deg. 19' of
latitude east from Greenwich. It is bathed by the Indian Ocean (Timor Sea) at
South, and Pacific Ocean (Banda Sea) at North and has an oblong configuration
in the direction of southwest -- northeast. The island is surrounded by the
Roti and Saval islands through the Roti Strait, by the Lomblem, Pantar and
Ombai islands across the Ombai Strait and by Kissar isle to the northeast.
Southwards, Australia dists about 500 km, and 1000 km separates the southwest
point of Timor from Java.
The total area of Timor is of 32 350 sq km, measuring the maximums of 470 km in
length and 110 km in width. About 480 km wide, and a surface of 450 000 sq km,
the Timor Sea which is divided between the two territories, opening west into
the Indian Ocean and east into the Arafura Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean.
The non-autonomous territory of the island -- East Timor-- of which Portugal is
recognized administrative power by United Nations, occupies an estimated area
of almost 19 000 km, and comprises the eastern half of the island, with 265 km
in length and 92 km of maximum width and an area of 16 384 km and the enclave
of Ocussi-Ambeno that dists 70 km from Batugadé, with 2 461 sq km and a
coastline 48 km long. Still part of East Timor is the island of Ataúro
(or Pulo-Cambing) with 144 sq km, just 23 km northwards of the capital
Díli and the tiny isle of Jaco with 8 sq km, being the oriental extreme
of East Timor just ahead of Tutuala.