Timor-Leste - Tourism and Travel

The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a southeast Asian country located on the island of Timor, a coral island in the Indonesian archipelago, north of western Australia.

Timor-Leste became an independent nation in 2002.

The island of Timor is divided between Timor-Leste and West Timor, which is part of the country of Indonesia.

Timor-Leste, which is also called East Timor consists of the eastern part of Timor as well as a small coastal enclave, known as Ocussi, in the west.

Timor island shows evidence of recent movement of continental plates. In the last million years, coral reefs in Timor have risen by 4,000 feet (1,300 meters).

Nina Konis Santana National park is a national park in Timor-Leste. It has a wide variety of coral reef fish.

Timor-Leste has an area of 5,743 square miles (14,874 square kilometers).

The climate is hot and humid, with dry and rainy seasons.

Dili is the capital of Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste has a population of 1,134,000.

Official languages are Tetum and Portuguese. Bahasa Indonesian is also spoken.

95% of the people of Timor-Leste are Roman Catholic.

The culture of Timor-Leste has been strongly affected by its history as a colony of Portugal, a Roman Catholic Country. The cultures of indigenous people also have an important influence on East Timorese culture.

Timor-Leste has a very weak economy and relies heavily on foreign aid.

The official currency of Timor-Leste is the US dollar.

Timor-Leste has a parliamentary system of government.

In the sixteenth century, Timor-Leste became a Portuguese colony.

It declared itself an independent nation in November 1975, but Indonesia invaded in December 1975.

Timor-Leste remained under Indonesian occupation until 1999, when a referendum was held, ending the occupation. The country was then administered by the UN until it became a fully independent nation in 2002.