2008 Edition

Background

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 Portuguese 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 Timor Timur (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 Timor-Leste 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 western 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, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order in Dili. At the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. In subsequent months, many of the ISF soldiers were replaced by UN police officers; approximately 80 ISF officers remained as of January 2008. From April to June 2007, the Government of Timor-Leste held presidential and parliamentary elections in a largely peaceful atmosphere with the support and assistance of UNMIT and international donors.

Area

total: 15,007 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Coastline

706 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Environment - current issues

widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

party to: Climate Change, Desertification

Geographic coordinates

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Geography - note

Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands

Irrigated land

1,065 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km

Land use

arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones

Natural resources

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Terrain

mountainous

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.1% (male 197,975/female 191,716) 15-64 years: 61.6% (male 347,573/female 334,908) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 17,578/female 19,027) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

26.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 41.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 66.94 years male: 64.6 years female: 69.39 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: NA female: NA (2002)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2008)

Median age

total: 21.5 years male: 21.5 years female: 21.5 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese

Net migration rate

NA (2008 est.)

Population

1,108,777 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

2.05% (2008 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.36 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque

Capital

name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)

Country name

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jorge CAMEO chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8%

FAX

[1] (202) 966-3205 consulate(s) general: New York

(670) 331-3206

Flag description

red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle

Government type

republic

Independence

28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, ARF, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court

Legal system

UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNTERDIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes)

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Budget

revenues: $733 million expenditures: $309 million note: the government passed a transitional budget to cover the latter half of 2007 and has moved the fiscal cycle to a calendar year, starting with the budget they passed for 2008 (FY06/07 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.05% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

Current account balance

$1.161 billion (2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

38 (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$184.7 million (2005 est.)

Economy - overview

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule and above expectations - the result of high petroleum prices. The technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005 the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$1.8 billion as of September 2007. The mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest disrupted both private and public sector economic activity and created 100,000 internally displaced persons - about 10 percent of the population. While real non-oil GDP growth in 2006 was negative, the economy probably rebounded in 2007. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and reduce poverty. In late 2007, the new government announced plans aimed at increasing spending, reducing poverty, and improving the country's infrastructure, but it continues to face capacity constraints. In the short term, the government must also address continuing problems related to the crisis of 2006, especially the displaced Timorese.

Electricity - consumption

NA kWh

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh

Electricity - production

NA kWh

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$10 million; note - excludes oil (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports

Exports - partners

US, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Indonesia (2006)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 32.2% industry: 12.8% services: 55% (2005)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

19.8% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$459 million (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.608 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$202 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Industrial production growth rate

8.5% (2004 est.)

Industries

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.8% (2007 est.)

Labor force

NA

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - production

78,480 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

NA

Population below poverty line

42% (2003 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$74.94 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$68.78 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

50% estimated; note - unemployment in urban areas reached 20%; data do not include underemployed (2001 est.)

Internet country code

.tl

Internet hosts

285 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

1,200 (2006)

Radio broadcast stations

at least 21 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster and 20 community and church radio stations - frequency type NA)

Radios

NA

Telephone system

general assessment: rudimentary service limited to urban areas domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; extremely limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services and coverage limited primarily to urban areas international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers

Telephones - main lines in use

2,400 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular

69,000 (2007)

Television broadcast stations

1 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster)

Televisions

NA

Airports

8 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2007)

Heliports

9 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008)

Ports and terminals

Dili

Roadways

total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005)

Falintil (FDTL))

Army, Navy (Armada) (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 284,903 females age 16-49: 272,212 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 224,096 females age 16-49: 231,901 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 13,045 female: 12,670 (2008 est.)

Military branches

Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este,

Military expenditures

NA

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

Disputes - international

Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Australia and Timor-Leste agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty

IDPs

100,000 (2007)

Illicit drugs

NA This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008