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East Timor
Unity, Action and Progress!
East Timor is a country in Southeast Asia. Colonized by Portugal in the sixteenth century, East Timor was known as Portuguese Timor for centuries. Colonized by Portugal in the sixteenth century, East Timor was known as Portuguese Timor for centuries.
East Timor declared itself independent on November 28, 1975. Nine days later, it was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces before the declaration could be internationally recognised.
Prior to and during colonisation, Timor was best known for its sandalwood. In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward.
Over the next three years a massive international program led by the UN, manned by civilian advisers, 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned.
East Timor's two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum, a local Austronesian language. The predominant form of Tetum, known as Tetun-Dili, grew out of the dialect favored by the colonizers at Dili, and thus has considerable Portuguese influence.
East Timorian Facts
Capital: Dili
Official language: Portuguese
Population: 947,000 (155th)
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
Total $1.68 billion (206th)
HDI (2004) 0.513 (medium) (142th)