East Timor

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 East 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 East Timor. An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, 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 forcibly pushed 300,000 people into West Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999 the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state. In March of 2006, a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order. Over 2,000 Australian, New Zealand, and Portuguese police and peacekeepers deployed to East Timor in late May. Although many of the peacekeepers were replaced by UN police officers, 850 Australian soldiers remained as of 1 January 2007.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 1,084,971 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Timorese

Nationality (Adjective): Timorese

Official Language(s): Tetum, Portuguese

Major Languages Spoken: English, Indonesian, Portuguese, Tetum

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Country Name (short form): Timor-Leste

Country Name (local long form): Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e

Country Name (local short form): Timor Lorosa'e

Name of Capital: Dili

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering East Timor: Australia, Indonesia

Comparative Area: slightly larger than Connecticut

Total Land Boundry: 228 km

Coastline: 650.709 km

National Holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

International Phone Code: 670

Currency Code: US dollar (USD)

Internet Country Code: .tp

US Embassy Location: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili

US Embassy Mailing Address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250