Timor-Leste, a.k.a. East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a Southeast Asian island nation. It consists of eastern part of Timor island, along with the Atauro and Jaco islands, and Oecusse, which is Timor’s northwestern enclave surrounded by Indonesian West Timor.
Strategically located between South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, Timor-Leste is the popular destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. These facts about Timor-Leste will truly fascinate you!
Timor-Leste is the only Christian country in Southeast Asia, apart from the Philippines.
The terrain of Timor-Leste is mostly mountainous. However, the country also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the Southeast Asian coast.
Timor-Leste gained independence twice. Once in 1976 from Portugal, and then again in 1999 from Indonesia.
After 455 years of occupation from 1520 to 1975, the Portuguese left the island all of a sudden and quite abruptly. Although, it declared independence in 1976, the island has become extremely weak and vulnerable, owing to crumpled economy and unstable political situation.
Just nine days after it declared independence from Portugal, the neighboring Indonesia invaded East Timor and annexed it.
The Indonesian occupation was a highly violent period characterized by constant conflict between separatist groups and the Indonesian military.
However, following the UN intervention in 1999, Indonesia had to give up control of the territory, and Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century in 2002. This makes it the 3rd-youngest country in the world after South Sudan and Kosovo.
Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages of Timor-Leste. However, Indonesian and English are also widely spoken in the country.
The original inhabitants of Timor-Leste are believed to have been descended from the aboriginal people of Australia.
In the cave named Lena Hara in Timor-Leste, beads and fishhooks, almost 30,000 years old were found. This shows that human occupation on the island is at least 30,000 years old.
Hydrocarbon production is the most important industry in Timor-Leste. These hydrocarbons are produced from the country’s offshore natural gas deposits.
Marble, textiles, handicrafts, processed coffee, and agricultural products such as corn, cassava, rice, dried beans, sweet potatoes, and coconuts constitute the country’s major exports.
Timor-Leste has only one national park – the Nino Konis Santana National Park. Opened on 15 August 2007, it includes a coral triangle and great areas for bird watching.
Dili is the largest city in Timor-Leste and also its capital. It is also its chief port and main commercial center.
The most popular tourist attraction in Timor-Leste is the Cristo Rei of Dili. It is a 27-meter-high statue of Jesus standing on a globe, overlooking the ocean.