East Timor

August 30, 1999 (Monday) – Independence referendum held; ~78% vote for independence from Indonesia

September 20, 1999 (Monday) – Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping force deployed after post-referendum violence

October 25, 1999 (Monday) – UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) established

May 20, 2002 (Monday) – East Timor becomes fully independent; Xanana Gusmão becomes first President

December 12, 2004 (Sunday) – Major floods and landslides hit Ainaro district after tropical storms

April 28, 2006 (Friday) – Riots in Dili lead to collapse of government; martial law declared

February 11, 2008 (Monday) – Assassination attempt on President José Ramos-Horta; he is seriously injured

March 31, 2011 (Thursday) – 6.2 magnitude earthquake off Timor coast; felt across Dili and Lautém

May 20, 2012 (Sunday) – 10th anniversary of independence; peaceful elections held

March 4, 2020 (Wednesday) – Severe flooding in Baucau and Viqueque from monsoonal rains

April 4, 2021 (Sunday) – Cyclone Seroja triggers deadly floods and landslides, 42 killed, 13,000 displaced

May 20, 2022 (Friday) – 20th anniversary of independence celebrated nationwide

May 21, 2023 (Sunday) – Xanana Gusmão returns as Prime Minister following parliamentary elections

January 15, 2024 (Monday) – 6.1 earthquake strikes off Lautém coast; no major damage reported

Continent: Asia (Southeast Asia)
Location: Eastern half of the island of Timor in the Lesser Sunda Islands, bordered by Indonesia
Capital: Dili
Language: Tetum, Portuguese (both official); Indonesian and English (recognized)
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Population: ~1.37 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Timor-Leste Standard Time (TLT, UTC+9)

Borders: Indonesia (land border to the west)
Landscape: Rugged mountains, tropical forests, coastal plains
Major Rivers: North Laclo, South Laclo, Caraulun River, Comoro River
Major Mountains: Mount Ramelau (Tatamailau) (highest), Foho Tatamailau, Mount Matebian
Deserts: None
Lakes: Iralalaro Lake (largest), Lagoa Modo Mahut, Lagoa Lalaro
Volcanoes: Extinct or dormant volcanic origins; no active volcanoes
Highest Point: Mount Ramelau – 2,986 m (9,797 ft)
Lowest Point: Timor Sea (sea level)
Climate: Tropical savanna climate; hot and humid with distinct dry and wet seasons
Geological Features: Tectonically active zone; frequent earthquakes and landslides; part of Banda Arc collision zone

Ethnic Groups: Austronesian and Melanesian (Papuan) heritage
Religion: Roman Catholic (~97%)
Urban Population: ~33% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: One of the youngest populations in Asia; high rural concentration

Famous For: Resistance history, traditional weaving (tais), mountainous landscapes
Cuisine: Ikan sabuko (grilled fish), batar daan (corn, mung bean, pumpkin), rice and taro staples
Arts: Traditional dance, tais textiles, storytelling, resistance poetry
Sports: Football, martial arts (taekwondo, karate), athletics

Economy Type: Developing; petroleum-dependent with growing agriculture and tourism
GDP: Approx. $2.3 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil and gas, agriculture, coffee production, public administration
Key Exports: Coffee, oil, sandalwood, marble
Unemployment Rate: ~10.2% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Dili urban area, Ermera (coffee), Oecusse (special economic zone)

Government Type: Semi-presidential republic
Head of State: President José Ramos-Horta (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão (as of April 2025)
Legislature: National Parliament (unicameral)
Constitution: In effect since May 20, 2002

Dili: Cristo Rei statue, Resistance Museum, Atauro Island
Mount Ramelau: Trekking and pilgrimage site
Jaco Island: Protected marine and wildlife area
Lospalos: Traditional houses, culture of the Fataluku people
UNESCO Tentative List Sites: Historic center of Dili and surrounding cultural landscapes