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14,609 sq km (5641 sq miles).
Geography
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
Ataśro (Pulo Cambing) and Jaco (Pulo Jako). East Timor is mountainous
in the interior.
Capital
Dili. Population : 50,800 (estimate
2003).
Government
Republic. Declared full independence 20 May
2002 after the UN Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) had
run the country for nearly 3 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 : Mari Alkatiri since May 2002.
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 religions are also practised.
Time
Time : GMT + 8.,
Electricity :
220 V, 50 Hz. Electricity supplies may be
erratic with many power cuts.
Population
Population :
737,811 (2001).,
Population density :
50.5 per sq km.
Communications
Telephone :
International calls can be made from and to
Dili. The code for Dili is 390.
Mobile Telephone :
Coverage provided by Timor Telecom
International in and around Dili and other main urban areas.
International roaming agreements are stilll being set up but cannot be
relied upon as yet. In some parts of the country, however, telephone
communication may still only be possible with satellite telephones.
Fax :
Facilities exist in Dili
in major organizations and hotels.
Internet :
Facilities are not generally available to the
public at the present time.
Post : A
limited postal service does exist.
Press :
The Timor Post is published daily in English; Tais Timor is published
every fortnight in English.
Radio :
BBC World Service (website
:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice)
and Voice of America (website :
http://www.voa.gov)
can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most
up-to-date can be found online. |
