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The
enclave is divided in four subdistricts:
| 1. |
Pante
Makassar in the central coastal areas around
the Tono river; |
| 2. |
Nitibe
in the westward coastal region reaching inland
into a low mountainous area; |
| 3. |
Oesilo
in the central inland heights where the Tono originates
as well as where the main road to West Timor lies;
and |
| 4. |
Passabe,
centred on an isolated valley town at the southern
tip of the Enclave. |
These
subdistricts are divided in eighteen Suco, or villages,
with these being further divided into over 60 hamlets
scattered across the Enclave.
The
District capitol of the enclave is the town of Oecusse
(sometimes known as Pante Makasser) in the Pante Makassar
subdistrict. With a population of over 5,000 it is
the largest population centre in the Enclave. The
town is notable for several large churches, a Portuguese
era mission, a long beachfront promenade, an airfield,
and two port facilities. The visually striking hills
to the rear of Oecusse town contain the old Portuguese
fort of Fatusuba. Lifau to the immediate west of the
town is the site of the first European landings in
Timor, by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It hosts
a fine beach and a monument to the Portuguese landing.
Historically,
the Enclave has had a unique relationship with both
the western and eastern regions of Timor. It served
as the capital of Portuguese Timor until the arrival
of the Dutch, a hostile local kingdom and the prospects
of a better harbour caused the Portuguese to shift
their capital to Dili in the 18th century. The Portuguese
tradition and the Enclave's position as the birthplace
of Catholicism in Timor are the source of considerable
pride in the Enclave, and inspire strong sentimental
attachment by many in Timor Leste. At the end of the
19th century, the Dutch and Portuguese formalised
their shared border in Timor, ensuring that the Enclave
remained attached politically and sentimentally, if
not geographically, to Portuguese Timor. Towards the
end of Portuguese rule, a ferry linked the Enclave
to Dili and there was also a limited air link. Significantly,
the people of the Enclave share both historical and
ethno-linguistic ties with much of West Timor. Trade
and family links extend across the border deep into
West Timor, from Atambua to Kupang, but are centred
largely on Kefamenanu, West Timor's fourth town. The
indigenous language of the Enclave is Baiqueno, a
dialect of Meto/Atoni, West Timor's major ethno-linguistic
grouping. The Enclave is in the unique position of
not entirely being of one area or the other. Politically
it is clearly of Timor Leste, but ethnically, geographically
and economically its centre of gravity is West Timor.
Portuguese colonial dominions in the region
Oecusse's
internal geography is dominated by the Tono river
valley and the seaward estuary at Lifau. The Tono
is the water source for Oecusse's largest rice producing
areas surrounding the Padiae and Lifau areas in Pante
Makassar. While the paddy in these areas produces
large amounts of rice much of Oecusse is dominated
by hill country with poor water supplies and where
inhabitants live off vegetable gardens, limited livestock
and bartering. However, the many areas have sufficient
cattle grazing areas to provide for one of Timor Leste's
largest cattle herds with as many as 20,000 head of
cattle. The Tono weekly market takes place every Tuesday
(as it has for generations) at southern end of Padiae
where the mountains meeting the low river valley.
Tono Market is Oecusse's largest market with thousands
of people walking, riding, and driving to the market
from across the Enclave.
In
the southern subdistrict of Passabe the mountains
reach a height of 1500m. From most high areas in Oecusse
there is a clear view of Mount Mutis (3000m) in West
Timor. The dry season lasts from approximately May
to November. The wet season (Novermber to May) is
notable for heavy rainfall, particularly in the high
country, resulting in flooding rivers, and an increase
in malarial conditions. The months of June-August
are notable for hot days with low humidity and cool
evenings.
There
are ongoing border disputes with Indonesia in Passabe
(at Mt. Bijae Sunan) and Nitibe (at Naktuka) subdistricts.
The island of Fatu Sinai (off Citrana, Nitibe and
Oepoli, West Timor) also remains contested.
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