The Portuguese discovered Timor in 1512 and soon settled, while traders from the Netherlands first arrived in 1613. After many years of rivalry the two nations made a series of agreements which established the boundaries of Timor, the latest in 1914. The western part became Dutch Timor, while the eastern part remained Portuguese Timor.

The environment of East Timor is highly diverse; in terms of geology, topography, climate, as well as terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Obviously man has affected the East Timor environment, but it is equally true that most resource uses are curtailed by and adapted to the island's natural conditions.

Timor is the easternmost and clearly the largest island in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago (see also East Timor). The island is 450 km long and 105 km wide. Area 30.820 sq. km, with a population of around 1.3 million on West Timor and about 850.000 on East Timor. The island has several mountain chains, the highest mountains can be found on the eastern part. Gunung Ramelau, also called Tata Mailau, on East Timor is the highest peak (2.950m).