

Topic: Introduction
Background: Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries and by the 14th century exported aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. By mid-16th century, the Portuguese had colonized the island. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries and by the 14th century exported aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. By mid-16th century, the Portuguese had colonized the island. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 14,874 sq km

land: 14,874 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Natural resources: gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,445,006 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority
Languages: Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.15% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Dili
Executive branch: chief of state: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since May 2022); note - the president is commander in chief of the military and is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections

head of government: Prime Minister Taur Matan RUAK (since 22 June 2018)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: lower middle-income Southeast Asian economy; government expenditures funded via oil fund drawdowns; endemic corruption undermines growth; foreign aid-dependent; wide-scale poverty, unemployment, and illiteracylower middle-income Southeast Asian economy; government expenditures funded via oil fund drawdowns; endemic corruption undermines growth; foreign aid-dependent; wide-scale poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.19 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,200 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, maize, vegetables, coffee, roots/tubers nes, other meats, cassava, pork, beans, mangoes/guavas
Industries: printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Exports: $60 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Singapore 51%, China 20%, Japan 9%, Indonesia 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, coffee, various vegetables, scrap iron (2019)
Imports: $850 million (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: Indonesia 39%, China 27%, Singapore 10%, Malaysia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, cement, delivery trucks, motorcycles (2019)Page last updated: Tuesday, Aug 02, 2022