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East Timor

Country of East Timor Flag

Capital: Dili

Population: 1,293,119

Brief History of East Timor:

East Timor is officially known as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The country occupies the eastern half of the island of Timor. The first Europeans to arrive in East Timor were Portuguese and Dutch traders around 1500. Over the years they began to build up outposts and local military strength. The Dutch and the Portuguese both struggled for influence over the land until they finally decided to divide up the land with the eastern half, which is today East Timor, going to Portugal in 1906.

During World War II, the country was occupied by Japan, but again became a Portuguese colony after the war. In 1974 Portugal decided to pull out of East Timor and the neighboring country of Indonesia soon invaded. The next several years were full of strive and unrest in the country as rebels tried to hold off the Indonesian invasion. Finally, in 1999, a peacekeeping force led by Australia entered the country ending the violence. East Timor, or Timor-Leste became an independent country in 2002.



Country of East Timor Map

The Geography of East Timor

Total Size: 15,007 square km

Size Comparison: slightly larger than Connecticut

Geographical Coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E

World Region or Continent: Southeast Asia

General Terrain: mountainous

Geographical Low Point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m

Geographical High Point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Major cities:

The People of East Timor

Type of Government: republic

Languages Spoken: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English

Independence: 28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia

National Holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Nationality: Timorese

Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist, Animist (1992 est.)

National Symbol:

National Anthem or Song: Patria (Fatherland)

Economy of East Timor

Major Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Agricultural Products: coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Natural Resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Major Exports: coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports

Major Imports: food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Currency: US dollar (USD)

National GDP: $370,000,000




** Source for population (2012 est.) and GDP (2011 est.) is CIA World Factbook.

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