Kupang
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Kupang is the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

The city is located in West Timor, at 10°11′S 123°35′E / -10.183, 123.583, and had a population estimated in 2005 at 269,680. It is surrounded by (but is separate from) the regency of Kupang, which had a population estimated in 2005 at 350,972.

As capital of East Nusa Tenggara, the transport and administrative links from Kupang with isolated islands are extensive.

History

The location was an important port and trading point during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras. There are ruins and remnant signs of the colonial presence in the city.

The city was an important landing and refueling place for early long distance airplane flights between Europe and Australia in the early twentieth century. It was an important location during the conflict in East Timor, for the Indonesian military, as well as the militias. The camps around Kupang were also of significant impact on the city.

In 1967, the city was made the seat of the Diocese of Kupang. In 1989 the Diocese was elevated to become the Archdiocese of Kupang.

William Bligh

Kupang was the final destination of William Bligh who was set adrift in an open boat during the Mutiny on the Bounty. The Mutiny on the Bounty (1789) took place about 30 nautical miles (56 km) from Tofua. Lt William Bligh navigated the overcrowded 23 foot (7 m) open launch on an epic 41-day voyage first to Tofua and then to the West Timor city of Kupang equipped only with a sextant and a pocket watch -- no charts or compass. He recorded the distance as 3,618 nautical miles (6710 km).

Kupang lighthouse and Sail Indonesia anchorage

He passed through the difficult Torres Strait along the way and landed on June 14. The only casualty of his voyage was a crewman named James Norton who was stoned to death by the natives of Tofua, the first island they tried to land on.

William and Mary Bryant

News of the journey of Captain Bligh inspired the escape of a party of convicts from the penal colony at Sydney Cove. A group of nine convicts and two children, led by William Bryant, stole a small uncovered government boat and escaped from Port Jackson^[1]. Ten weeks later, they arrived at Kupang, having covered 3,254 nautical miles, a feat as remarkable as Blighs, given that only three members of the group had any sailing experience.

Sailing

Kupang is the first port of call for yachts in the annual Sail Indonesia rally which starts in Darwin, Australia towards the end of July each year. In 2006 about 100 yachts from around the world took part in the rally. From Kupang yachts head north to Alor and then stop at various ports in Indonesia over a period of about three months ending up in Singapore. See Sail Indonesia web site for more information.

References

1. ^ Kenealy, T: "Commonwealth of Thieves", page 353. Random House Australia 2005

External links

• Kupang is at coordinates 10°09′40″S 123°35′14″E / -10.161, 123.5871 (Kupang)Coordinates: 10°09′40″S 123°35′14″E / -10.161, 123.5871 (Kupang)

For an accurate history of what happened to the Mutineers see: [1]
For details of Sail Indonesia see: [2]

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