East Timor officially known as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is located in the South East Asia, comprising the eastern part of Timor Island, the islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi-Ambeno, and an enclave of Indonesian West Timor. Timor –Leste is situated at the northwest of Darwin, Australia. East Timor is the largest and easternmost island of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The capital Dili is located at 8 35 S, 125 36 E.
HISTORY:- The Austronesians dwelled in the region around 3000 BC. Portugal was the first European power to colonize Timor in 1520. Dutch control was established over the western region of the nation in 1613. The Portugal- Netherlands disagreement over the country continued until 1859 when Netherlands gained control over West Timor and Portugal gained control over East Timor and western enclave of Oecussi by the Treaty of Lisbon. Hague Treaty of 1916 determined the official partition between East Timor and Indonesia. During World War II, Australia and Japan forces fought to establish power over the region. Japan invaded the country. Portuguese ended 455 years of settlements in the country in 1975 all of a sudden. In 1976, Democratic Republic of East Timor was set up which was ended by the Indonesia's invasion and annexation after 9 days. The East Timorese guerrilla force fought against Indonesia from 1975 to 1999. In a UN-supervised popular referendum held in 1999, 78.5% voted for independence against Indonesia. On 12th September Indonesia, being pressurized unwillingly left East Timor. José Alexandre Gusmão became the President in 2002.
GEOGRAPHY:- East Timor is located at 8 50 S, 125 55 E in the Southeastern Asia spanning through 15,007 sq km area on the surface of the world. The island is a part of Malay archipelago. The coastline is 706 km long along with the Timor Sea, Savu Sea and Banda Sea. The island is mostly mountainous. The lowest point is located at the sea level (0 m) and highest point is Foho Tatamailau (2,963 m).
CLIMATE:- The climate of the country is tropical, hot and humid. It has a rainy and a dry season.
GOVERNMENT:- Timor -Leste is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 22nd March 2002. The constitution is based on Portuguese model. The legal activities are being carried out by a UN-drafted system, which is based on the Indonesian law till today. But the legal system, yet to be adopted, is based on the Portuguese law. The three branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. President is appointed by a popular vote and he chooses the leader of the majority party as the Prime minister. The council of ministers is headed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Parliament (number of seats varies from 52 to 65).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of Justice.
Prominent political parties include Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor, National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Timorese Social Democratic Association, National Unity Party, People's Party of Timor, Klibur Oan Timor Asuwain, and National Union of Timorese Resistance. Suffrage is universal at 17.
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and cabinet. President is appointed by a popular vote and he chooses the leader of the majority party as the Prime minister. The council of ministers is headed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Parliament (number of seats varies from 52 to 65).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of Justice.
Prominent political parties include Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor, National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction, Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Timorese Social Democratic Association, National Unity Party, People's Party of Timor, Klibur Oan Timor Asuwain, and National Union of Timorese Resistance. Suffrage is universal at 17.
President José Ramos-Horta
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Timor –Leste is divided into 13 districts:
Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Cova-Lima, Dili, Ermera, Lautem, Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi, Oecussi and Viqueque.
These districts are again subdivided into 65 sub districts, 443 sucos and 2,336 towns, villages and hamlets.
Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Cova-Lima, Dili, Ermera, Lautem, Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi, Oecussi and Viqueque.
These districts are again subdivided into 65 sub districts, 443 sucos and 2,336 towns, villages and hamlets.
CULTURE:- The influences of Portuguese, Roman Catholic, and Malay can be seen in the culture of East Timor. Craftsmanship is very common in the island.
ECONOMY:- During Indonesian invasions in 1999, 70% of the economy was ruined. Timor –Leste joined into a joint project with Australia of petroleum and natural gas resources in the water bases of the southeastern Timor. It has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the world.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $2.215 billion; per capita $2,000.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $2.215 billion; per capita $2,000.
Real growth rate: 24%.
Inflation: 5.4%.
Unemployment: 50%
Arable land: 8.2%.
Agriculture: coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla.
Labor force: n.a.
Budget:
Revenues: $733 million
Expenditures: $309 million
Revenues: $733 million
Expenditures: $309 million
Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth.
Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble.
Exports: $10 million; note—excludes oil (2005 est.): coffee, sandalwood, marble; note—potential for oil and vanilla exports.
Exports - partners: US, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Indonesia (2006)
Imports: $202 million (2004 est.): food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery.
Major trading partner: Indonesia (2004).
Monetary unit: U.S. dollar
LANGUAGE:- Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages. Bahasa Indonesian, English are also spoken. Among the 16 indigenous languages Galole, Tetum, Mambae, and Kemak are widely spoken.
CITIES:- Capital Dili is the largest city. Another large city is Baucau.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Timor –Leste is 1,084,971 with a growth rate of 2.1%.
Density per sq mi: 192
Literacy rate: 58.6% (2002)
Density per sq mi: 192
Literacy rate: 58.6% (2002)
RACE:- Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, and a small Chinese minority reside in the island of East Timor.
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 98%
Muslim 1%
Protestant 1% (2005).
Roman Catholic 98%
Muslim 1%
Protestant 1% (2005).
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 26.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 41.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.94 years
Total fertility rate: 3.36 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 145
Birth rate: 26.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 41.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.94 years
Total fertility rate: 3.36 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 145
UNICEF:- UNICEF distributes required vaccines, cold-chain equipment and essential drugs and medicines all over the country. National Nutrition Strategy promotes the necessity of breastfeeding and Mother Support Groups work in 5 districts to promote breastfeeding. 175,000 children are immunized against polio, 1,200 children receive deworming treatment, 92% under 5 children have received Vitamin A supplements and awareness campaigns are organized on HIV/AIDS prevention, hygiene and good nutrition. UNICEF also works for better sanitation by building 4,200 family latrines. UNICEF with government undertakes a new national primary school curriculum; and helps in birth registration. Children rights are protected by a National Commission. Midwives are being trained in clean and safe deliveries.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 0 km.
Highways: total: 6,040 km; paved: 2,600 km; unpaved: 3,440 km (2005).
Waterways: n.a.
Ports and harbors: Dili
Heliports: 9 (2007)
Airports: 8 (2007); paved runways: total: 3; unpaved runways: total 5.
Railways: total: 0 km.
Highways: total: 6,040 km; paved: 2,600 km; unpaved: 3,440 km (2005).
Waterways: n.a.
Ports and harbors: Dili
Heliports: 9 (2007)
Airports: 8 (2007); paved runways: total: 3; unpaved runways: total 5.
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