Introduction of East Timor

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Travel Guide for
East Timor

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trips to East Timor

Introduction

Timor Oriental

General South-East Asia. Area 14,609 sq km (5735 sq miles). Disputes over land boundaries have yet to be resolved so this figure may change. Population 857,000 (UN, 2005). Population Density 58.66 per sq km. Capital Dili. Population: 167,777 (2004). Government Republic. Declared full independence on 20 May 2002 after the UN Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) had run the country for nearly three years during its transition to independence. Prior to UNTAET, the country had been under Indonesian control since 1975. President: Xanana Gusmao since May 2002. Prime Minister : José Ramos-Horta since July 2006. Recent history: Former Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri resigned in June 2006 following a wave of street violence and protests, widely believed to be caused by his decision to sack hundreds of soldiers. East Timor makes up the eastern half of the island of Timor (the western half belongs to Indonesia) which is situated off the northern coast of Western Australia. Also included within East Timor is the Oekussi Ambeno enclave on the northwest coast of the island, as well as the islands of Ataúro (Pulo Cambing) and Jaco (Pulo Jako). East Timor is mountainous in the interior. Language Tetum is the main dialect and is the official language along with Portuguese; English is often used for administrative purposes (due to the high numbers of English-speaking relief and UN workers still working in East Timor). More than 30 other languages are also used in East Timor. Religion Christian majority with 86 per cent Catholic. Islam and animist beliefs are also practised. Time GMT + 9. Social Conventions Most social courtesies are fairly formal. Many conventions will be similar to those of Indonesia (despite their political and religious differences) and many old East Timorese conventions will doubtless come to the fore in the coming years. Electricity 220 V, 50 Hz. Electricity supplies may be erratic with many power cuts.

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