In 1950, United States of Indonesia dissolved itself into a unitary state and began to divide its region into provinces. In 1958, by the Indonesian statute of law (Undang-Undang) No. 64/1958, three provinces were established in the Lesser Sunda Islands, namely Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara provinces.3 According to the law, East Nusa Tenggara province includes the western part of Timor island, Flores, Sumba and other several small islands in the region. The province was further divided into twelve regencies.4
Following the fall of Suharto regime in 1998, several regional governments expanded its administrative divisions under the new regional autonomy policy. East Nusa Tenggara province observed several expansions in its administration. In 1999, the new Lembata Regency was formed after splitting East Flores Regency.5 In 2002, Rote Island was split from Kupang Regency, forming the new Rote Ndao Regency.6 The following year, Manggarai Regency is splitted into two and established the new West Manggarai Regency.7 In 2007, the administration of East Nusa Tenggara province was expanded more by the establishment of new four regencies. Therefore, as of 2007, there are nineteen regencies and only one city, that is Kupang, recognized in the province.
The population of the province was estimated to be 4,073,249 in 2003 (BPS NTT). The religious mix is atypical of Indonesia, with 91% Christian (majority Catholic, large Protestant population), 8% Muslim, 0.6% Hindu or Buddhist, and 0.4% holding traditional beliefs. East Nusa Tenggara has become a refuge for Indonesian Christians fleeing from conflict in Maluku and Irian Jaya.
The secondary school enrolment rate of 39% is dramatically below the Indonesian average (80.49% in 2003/04, according to UNESCO). Lack of clean drinking water, sanitation, and health facilities mean that child malnutrition (32%) and child mortality (71 per 1000) are higher than in most of the rest of Indonesia.
Economy
By several economic indicators, the province's enconomy is weaker than the Indonesian average, with high inflation (15%), unemployment (30%) and interest rates (22-24%).