Introduction: On 20 May 2002, East Timor became the world's newest country. East Timor is located in the eastern part of Timor, an island in the Indonesian archipelago that lies between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. East Timor includes the enclave of Oecussi, which is located within West Timor (Indonesia). After Indonesia, East Timor's closest neighbor is Australia, 400 miles to the south. It is semi-arid and mountainous.

Official Name: Democratic Republic of East Timor
Area: 153,870 sq km (11,880 sq miles)
Population: 997,750
Continent: Asia
Density per square mile: 172
Capital City:
Religions:

Language: Portuguese
Government: Transitional government overseen by UNTAET

Currency: U.S. dollar
GDP: $415 billion
GDP Per Head: $500

Natural Resources: gold, manganese, marble, petroleum & natural gas.
Land Use: Arable Land %
Agriculture: coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla.
Industry: Coffee, rice, maize, oil and natural gas, logging, fisheries, spices & coconuts.

Tourism: The British & Commonwealth Foreign Office advise against all holiday and other non-essential travel to East Timor. There were violent incidents in Dili in December 2002 and near the border with Indonesia in January and February 2003. There is also a continuing threat to westerners from terrorism in South East Asia. You should be on your guard in public places and avoid demonstrations

Natural Hazards:
Health Risks: Malaria, dengue fever, tuberculosis, rabies, Japanese Encephalitis

Climate: The wet season is between December-April, Around late April to June/July, when the countryside is green the climate is warm but the hottest months are October and November. For more information see Indonesia.

Time: GMT/UTC + 8 hours
National Days: Liberation Day 20 September

Visas: Upon entry a charge of 25 American Dollars is payable for a visit of not more than 30 days. Extensions of visas cost 30 American Dollars for each subsequent period of 30 days. Fines of 50 American Dollars for each 30-day period apply if advance payment and extensions of visas have not been sought and approved. There is a 10 American Dollars departure tax.

British Embassy Details