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The World Factbook 2002

         
  East Timor  
Flag of East Timor
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  Introduction
  Geography
  People
  Government
  Economy
  Communications
  Transportation
  Military
  Transnational Issues

In general, information available as of 1 January 2002
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2002.


This page was last updated on 1 January 2002


Map of East Timor

Legend: Definition Definition Field Listing Field Listing
   Introduction    East Timor
Background:
Definition Field Listing
The Portuguese colony of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was subsequently incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur. A so-called campaign of pacification followed, during which time an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, the people of Timor Timur voted for independence from Indonesia. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the world's newest democracy.
   Geography    East Timor
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - East Timor 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
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Southeast Asia
Area:
Definition Field Listing
total: 15,007 sq km
land: NA sq km
water: NA sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 228 km
border countries: Indonesia 228 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
706 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
contiguous zone: NA NM
extended fishing zone: NA NM
territorial sea: NA NM
exclusive fishing zone: NA NM
continental shelf: NA NM
exclusive economic zone: NA NM
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
mountainous
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: NA%
other: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
1,065 sq km (est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
Timor is the Malay word for "Orient"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands
   People    East Timor
Population:
Definition Field Listing
952,618 (July 2002 est.)
note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (2002 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
7.26% (2002 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing
28.07 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing
6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
51.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing
51.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing
total population: 64.85 years
male: 62.64 years
female: 67.17 years (2002 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing
3.88 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Roman Catholic 90%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 3%, Hindu 0.5%, Buddhist, Animist (1992 est.)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English
note: there are a total of about 16 indigenous languages, of which Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48% (2001)
male: NA%
female: NA%
   Government    East Timor
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of East Timor
conventional short form: East Timor
local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
former: Portuguese Timor
local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Dili
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Jose Alexander GUSMAO (since 20 May 2002); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto some legislation
head of government: Prime Minister Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI (since 20 May 2002)
cabinet: Council of State
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2007); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Jose Alexander GUSMAO elected president; percent of vote - Jose Alexander GUSMAO 82.7%, Francisco Xavier do Amaral 17.3%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary, minimum requirement of 52 and a maximum of 65 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - for its first term of office, the National Parliament is comprised of 88 members on an exceptional basis
elections: last held 30 August 2001 (next to be held NA August 2006)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 57.37%, PD 8.72%, PSD 8.18%, ASDT 7.84%, UDT 2.36%, PNT 2.21%, KOTA 2.13%, PPT 2.01%, PDC 1.98%, PST 1.78%, independents/other 5.42%; seats by party - FRETILIN 55, PD 7, PSD 6, ASDT 6, PDC 2, UDT 2, KOTA 2, PNT 2, PPT 2, UDC/PDC 1, PST 1, PL 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court of Justice, one judge appointed by the National Parliament and the rest appointed by the Superior Council for the Judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Associacao Social-Democrata Timorense or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Christian Democratic Party of Timor or PDC [Antonio XIMENES]; Christian Democratic Union of Timor or UDC [Vicente da Silva GUTERRES]; Democratic Pary or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; Maubere Democratic Party or PDM [leader NA]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent East Timor or FRETILIN [Lu OLO]; Social Democrat Party of East Timor or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO]; Socialist Party of Timor or PST [leader NA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes) or KOTA [Clementino dos Reis AMARAL]; Timor Democratic Union or UDT [Joao CARRASCALAO]; Timor Labor Party or TRABALHISTA [Paulo Freitas DA SILVA]; Timorese Nationalist Party or PNT [Abilio ARAUJO]; Timorese Popular Democratic Association or APODETI [Frederico Almeida Santos COSTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
IBRD, IMF
note: UN membership is expected in September
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Constancio PINTO
chancery: NA
consulate(s) general: NA
FAX: NA
telephone: NA
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
embassy: Farol district, Dili
mailing address: NA
telephone: (670) 390 324 684
FAX: (670) 390 313 206
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
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; there is a white star in the center of the black triangle
   Economy    East Timor
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward. Over the next three years, however, 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 mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned. The country faces great challenges in continuing the rebuilding of infrastructure and the strengthening of the infant civil administration. One promising long-term project would be development of oil resources in nearby waters.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $415 million (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
18% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $500 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 25.4%
industry: 17.2%
services: 57.4% (2001)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
42% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
38
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing
50% (including underemployment)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
8.5%
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing
NA kWh
Electricity - production by source:
Definition Field Listing
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0%
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
coffee, rice, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla
Exports:
Definition Field Listing
$8 million (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - the potential for oil and vanilla exports
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Imports:
Definition Field Listing
$237 million (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing
$NA
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$2.2 billion (1999-2002 est.)
Currency:
Definition Field Listing
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
Definition Field Listing
USD
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
1 July - 30 June
   Communications    East Timor
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Televisions:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.tp
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
Definition Field Listing
NA
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing
NA
   Transportation    East Timor
Railways:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Highways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3,800 km
paved: 428 km
unpaved: 3,372 km (1995)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing
total: NA
ships by type: NA
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
8 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,427 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2001)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2001)
   Military    East Timor
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
the East Timor Defense Force or FALINTIL-FDTL comprises a light-infantry Army and a small Naval component; note - plans are to develop a force of 1,500 active personnel and 1,500 reserve personnel over the next five years
Military manpower - military age:
Definition Field Listing
18-21 years of age
Military manpower - availability:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Military manpower - fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing
$4.4 million (FY03)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
   Transnational Issues    East Timor
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
East Timor-Indonesia Boundary Committee meets to survey and delimit land boundary; Indonesia seeks resolution of East Timor refugees in Indonesia; Australia-East Timor-Indonesia are working to resolve maritime boundary and sharing of seabed resources in "Timor Gap"
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
NA

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002


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