World Atlas: Timor-Leste

Information about Timor-Leste

Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Timor-Leste. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Timor-Leste. But let's start with the flag of Timor-Leste here:

Timor-Leste - Overview:

What you should know about Timor-Leste? Let's start with this: The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died. In an August 1999 UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forced 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly all of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (Unmit), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and Unmit restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president and a successful transition of power in February 2015. In late 2012, the UN Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and Unmit departed the country.

Geography of Timor-Leste

Where on the globe is Timor-Leste? The location of this country is Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco. Total area of Timor-Leste is 14,874 sq km, of which 14,874 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mountainous. The lowest point of Timor-Leste is Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m, the highest point Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m. And the climate is tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons.

Inhabitants of Timor-Leste

Let's take a look how many people live in Timor-Leste. The number is: 1,291,358 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority. What are the languages in Timor-Leste? Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5%. And the religions: Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.). How old are the people in average? 18.9 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 68.4 years. Where the people live in Timor-Leste? Here: most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili. The major urban areas of Timor-Leste are: DILI (capital) 228,000 (2014).

Government and Economy of Timor-Leste

The capital of Timor-Leste is Dili and the government type semi-presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque. Regarding the economy of Timor-Leste, important industrial products are printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth. Important agricultural products are coffee, rice, corn, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla. The most important export commodities are oil, coffee, sandalwood, marble and the most important export partners are unknown. The most important import commodities are food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery and the most important import partners are unknown. How rich is Timor-Leste and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $5,000 (2017 est.). This is a very low number. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 41.8% (2014 est.).

Map of Timor-Leste