Behind The Integration of East Timor

East Timor is a former Portuguese colony, and for approximately four hundred years it was under the influence of Portuguese rule.  Since the 15th century, the island has been a destination for Malay, Javanese, Bugis, Makassarese, Indian, Arab and Chinese trading boats.  The East Island is known to be rich in sandalwood, a merchandise that sells well in Asian markets.  Since the arrival of Westerners such as the Portuguese and the Dutch to the archipelago, Timor Island has also become a stopover destination for them after trading to the Moluccas for spices.  In the end, both the Portuguese and the Dutch made the region their colony.  East Timor was a Portuguese colony that was known as the worst colonizer, because it never cared about the fate of its colonized people.  This happened in all Portuguese colonies including East Timor.  West Timor was relatively more developed than East Timor.  By 1973, 93% of East Timor's population was illiterate. In East Timor's primary schools, most students had to learn Portuguese history.  They also had to memorize the names of Portuguese rivers, roads and cities.