Kupang, city on the southwestern part of the island of Timor, in eastern Indonesia. Kupang is the capital of East Nusa Tenggara province. The city lies on the Savu Sea, and has an airport with flights to Australia and some local islands, making the city a center of tourism. Populated by peoples of Papuan and Malayan descent, Kupang is a fishing community that exports sandalwood, pearls, fish, and handcarved goods. Kupang was occupied (and fortified) by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Dutch East India Company arrived in the 17th century in an attempt to dominate the sandalwood trade. Both this trade and Kupang declined soon after. During World War II (1939-1945) Kupang was occupied by the Japanese. The city is home to the East Nusa Tenggara Museum of Art and Crafts and a university (1962). It is the administrative center of the region. Population (1997) 209,290.
