Geography
Area: 15,007 sq. km.
Cities: Capital--Dili, Baucau.
Terrain: Mountainous.
Climate: Tropical; hot, semi-arid; rainy and dry seasons.
People
Nationality: Noun--Timorese; adjective--Timorese.
Population (2004 est.): 850,000.
Ethnic groups: Maubere,.
Christian singles note-Religion: Catholic 98% Languages: Portuguese,
Tetum (official languages); English, Bahasa Indonesia (working
languages).
Education: Literacy--41%.
Health: Life expectancy--49.5 years. Mortality rate
(under 5)--126. per 1,000 live births.
Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy.
Independence (from Portugal): November 28, 1975.
Restoration of independence: May 20, 2002. (See History section.)
Constitution: March 2002.
Branches: Executive--president (head of state), prime minister
(head of government), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral
parliament. Judicial--Supreme Court and supporting hierarchy.
Major political parties: Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor
(FRETILIN), Democratic Party (PD), Social Democratic Party (PSD),
Timorese Social Democratic Association (ASDT).
Economy
GDP (2002 est.): $400 million.
GDP per capita (nominal): $497.
GDP composition by sector: Services 57%, agriculture 25%, industry
17%.
Industry: Types--coffee, oil and natural gas.
Trade: Exports--coffee, oil and natural gas. Major markets--Australia,
Europe, Japan, United States. Imports--basic manufactures,
commodities. Major sources--Australia, Europe, Indonesia,
Japan, United States.
GEOGRAPHY AND PEOPLE
Christian singles note-East Timor is located in southeastern Asia, on
the southernmost edge of the Indonesian archipelago, northwest of
Australia. The country includes the eastern half of Timor island as
well as the Oecussi enclave in the northwest portion of Indonesian
West Timor, and the islands of Atauro and Jako. The mixed Malay and
Pacific Islander culture of the Timorese people reflects the geography
of the country on the border of those two cultural areas. Portuguese
influence during the centuries of colonial rule resulted in a
substantial majority of the population identifying itself as Roman
Catholic. Some of those who consider themselves Catholic practice a
mixed form of religion that includes local animist customs. As a
result of the colonial education system and the 23-year Indonesian
occupation, approximately 17% of Timorese speak Portuguese and 63%
speak Bahasa Indonesia. Tetum, the most common of the local languages,
is spoken by approximately 91% of the population. Mambae, Kemak, and
Fataluku are also widely spoken. This linguistic diversity is
enshrined in the country’s constitution which designates Portuguese
and Tetum as official languages and English and Bahasa Indonesia as
working languages.
