Country Guide • East Timor
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 | 153,870km² (11,880mile²) |
| Population | 997,750 |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population per mile² | 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 and 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 and coconuts |
| Tourism | The British and 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 | Embassy Details |
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