TIMOR, an island in the East Indian Archipelago, stretching from S.W. to N.E., separated on the N.W. from the island of Ombay by the Ombay Strait, having on the N. the Banda Sea, S.E. and S. the Indian Ocean. S. Lat. (of the S. point), 10. 24.; E. Long. 123. 32. Its length is about 300 miles, and its average breadth 45. The coast is generally rocky, and indented with few bays and creeks. There are two good harbours; Coopang, on a bay of the same name, at the south-west extremity, and Delli on the north coast. A mountain-chain traverses the length of the island; and one of its summits in the north attains the height of 6000 feet. From this central chain many branches diverge on both sides; so that the island is almost entirely occupied with steep mountains and hills and narrow valleys. There are some considerable plains, as that at the head of Coopang Bay, which is about 10 miles square. The rivers are small and rapid, frequently dry in summer, and not navigable beyond the tidal point. The prevalent geological formations in the island are limestone and chalk; and traces of volcanic agency are everywhere apparent. The mountains are generally bare, but in some places there are extensive forests. The chief crops raised are rice, maize, millet, pulse, sweet potatoes, and cotton. Various kinds of palm-trees, tobacco, indigo, sandal-wood, and many kinds of fruit, such as oranges, lemons, pine-apples, and melons abound. Horses, oxen, buffaloes, sheep, pigs, and fowls, are among the domestic animals; and of the wild beasts, deer, buffaloes, hogs, wild cats, and apes, are the most numerous. Gold and copper are the chief mineral productions of the island. The former is found in the rivers, and the latter chiefly in the Philaran mountains, near the centre of the island. The inhabitants are of low stature, very dark in complexion, and with bushy hair. They are divided into three parts, the Timorese, who inhabit the west coast, and came originally from Ceram; the Belonese, on the east coast, from Gilolo; and the independent tribes in the interior. They live chiefly by hunting; agriculture is little attended to; and though fish is abundant round the coasts, very little advantage is taken of it. The women weave the cloth that is needed; and the only manufactures the men condescend to engage in are those of canoes and ornaments for their horses. The chiefs on the west and south coast acknowledge the authority of the Dutch, who have their chief settlement at Coopang; those along the east and north are subject to the Portuguese, whose head quarters are Delli. A considerable trade is carried on, chiefly by the Chinese, at Coopang. Pop. estimated at 200,000.