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EAST TIMORESE Facts & Figures

Size: 5,743 square miles

Population: 1,066,582

Capital: Dili

Currency: US Dollar

Weather / Climate:

Located in southeast Asia, the island of Timor is part of Maritime Southeast Asia. The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, characterised by distinct rainy and dry seasons. The capital, largest city and main port is Dili. The eastern part of East-Timor has been proposed as the first conservation area in Timor as it contains the last remaining tropical dry forested area within the country and it hosts a number of unique plant and animal species. The northern coast is characterised by coral reefs.

Taken from wikipedia

EAST TIMORESE languages

The languages of East Timor include both Austronesian and Papuan languages. (See Timor–Flores languages and West Trans–New Guinea languages.) The lingua franca and national language of East Timor is Tetum, an Austronesian language influenced by Portuguese, with which it has equal status as an official language. The language of the Ocussi exclave is Uab Meto. Fataluku, a Papuan language widely used in the eastern part of the country (often more so than Tetum) has official recognition under the constitution, as do other indigenous languages, including: Bekais, Bunak, Dawan, Fataluku, Galoli, Habun, Idalaka, Kawaimina, Kemak, Lovaia, Makalero, Mambai, Tokodede and Wetarese.

The rise of lingua francas in the linguistically diverse East Timor, and the domination of several clans over others, have led to the extinction of many smaller languages. However, some of these are still in use as ritual languages or cants. Research done in the mid-2000s by the Dutch/Timorese linguist Aone van Engelenhoven, for example, revealed that the Makuva language, formerly spoken by the Makuva tribe but believed to have been extinct since the 1950s, was still used occasionally.^[1] In 2007, Van Engelenhoven discovered the existence of another language that was essentially extinct, called Rusenu.^[2]

Under Portuguese rule, all education was through the medium of Portuguese, although it coexisted with Tetum and other languages. Portuguese particularly influenced the dialect of Tetum spoken in the capital, Dili, known as Tetun Prasa, as opposed to the more traditional version spoken in rural areas, known as Tetun Terik. Tetun Prasa is the version more widely used, and is now taught in schools.

Under Indonesian rule, Indonesian was the official language. Along with English, it has the status of a 'working language' under the Constitution.

For many older East Timorese, the Indonesian language has negative connotations with the Suharto regime,^[3] but many younger people have expressed suspicion or hostility to the reinstatement of Portuguese, which they see as a 'colonial language' in much the same way that Indonesians saw Dutch.^[4] However, whereas the Dutch culture and language had little influence on those of Indonesia, the East Timorese and Portuguese cultures became intertwined, particularly through intermarriage, as did the languages. Portuguese was also a working language of the resistance against Indonesia.

Young East Timorese have also felt at a disadvantage by the use of Portuguese, and accuse the country's leaders of favouring people who have only recently returned from overseas,^[5] but even those older East Timorese who speak Portuguese, having been in the resistance, have not found jobs despite their proficiency in the language.^[6]

Many foreign observers, especially from Australia and Southeast Asia have also been critical about the reinstatement of Portuguese, to which they would prefer English or Indonesian.^[7] In spite of this, many Australian linguists have been closely involved with the official language policy, including the promotion of Portuguese.

Portugal and other Portuguese language countries such as Brazil have supported the teaching of Portuguese in East Timor. Some people in East Timor have complained that teachers from Portugal and Brazil are poorly equipped to teach in the country, as they do not know local languages, or understand the local culture.^[8]

Nevertheless, the late Sérgio Vieira de Mello, who headed the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor, was a Brazilian who not only established a close working relationship with Xanana Gusmão (The country's first President) as a fellow Portuguese-speaker, but was respected by many East Timorese because of his efforts to learn Tetum.^[9]

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_East_Timor

EAST TIMORESE culture

East Timor's road to independence - achieved on 20 May 2002 - was long and traumatic. The people of the first new nation of the century suffered some of the worst atrocities of modern times. An independent report commissioned by the UN transitional administration in East Timor said that at least 100,000 Timorese died as a result of Indonesia's 25-year occupation, which ended in 1999.

The pre-occupation history of Timor is sketchy. The migration of various peoples along the South-East Asian monsoon track from northwest to southeast evidently led to the population of the island by a civilisation that had no written records but worked in iron and had a relatively sophisticated system of agriculture. The island was linked into a regional trading system centred on Java, which extended as far as China and India.

Portugal began to establish colonial control over Timor in the 16th century, when the island was divided into small states. The Netherlands later colonised the west of the island, which was formally partitioned between the two imperial powers in 1916.

Portugal invested little in Timor, and withdrew unilaterally in 1975 after deciding to dissolve its colonial empire. Indonesia invaded within days of the Timorese declaration of independence, and used force to crush popular resistance.

Major world and regional powers did little to counter Indonesian rule, which was not recognised by the UN. Falintil guerrillas fought for independence, and their cause captured world attention in 1991 when Indonesian forces opened fire on a memorial procession in the capital, Dili, killing at least 250 people.

International pressure increased and finally persuaded Indonesia to allow an independence referendum in 1999, during which a pro-Indonesian militia, apparently with Indonesian army support, tried in vain to use terror to discourage voters. When the referendum showed overwhelming support for independence, the militia went on the rampage, murdering hundreds and reducing towns to ruins. An international peacekeeping force halted the mayhem and paved the way for a United Nations mission which helped reconstruct East Timor.

The rebuilding of East Timor has been one of the UN's biggest success stories. The UN Mission of Support in East Timor, Unmiset, wound up in May 2005. But security has been precarious. An outbreak of gang violence in 2006 prompted the UN Security Council to set up a new peacekeeping force, Unmit. The UN said poverty and unemployment had exacerbated the unrest.

As one of Asia's poorest nations, East Timor will rely on outside help for many years. The infrastructure is poor and the country is drought-prone. However, vast offshore oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea hold much potential. East Timor and Australia have agreed to share revenues from the reserves. As a part of the deal, a decision on the disputed maritime border in the area was deferred.

East Timoris trying to foster national reconciliation. Indonesia and East Timor set up bodies to bring the perpetrators of the 1999 violence to justice. However, a 2005 UN report concluded that the systems had failed to deliver. The Indonesian special court acquitted most of the 18 indicted suspects.

The island is divided into two parts: most of the western half remains part of Indonesia; the eastern half forms the bulk of the national territory of Timor, with its capital, Dili, on the northern coast, a small enclave in the western half around the town of Oecussi, and the small island of Atauro, 30km (19 miles) north of Dili.

There is a Christian majority with 86% Catholic. Islam and animist beliefs are also practised.

Most social courtesies are fairly formal. Many conventions will be similar to those of Indonesia (despite their political and religious differences) and many old East Timorese conventions will doubtless come to the fore in the coming years.

Holidays

· 01 January – New Year's Day

· April – Good Friday

· 15 August – Assumption

· 30 August – Consultation Day

· 20 September – Liberation Day

· 01 November – All Saints’ Day

· 12 November – Santa Cruz Day

· 28 November – Independence Day

· 08 December – Immaculate Conception

· 25 December – Christmas Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

EAST TIMORESE people

The population of East Timor is about one million. It has grown considerably recently, because of a high birth rate, but also because of the return of refugees.^{[citation needed]} The population is especially concentrated in the area around Dili.

The Timorese are called Maubere collectively by some of their political organizations, an originally derogatory name turned into a name of pride by Fretilin. They consist of a number of distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are of mixed Malayo-Polynesian and Melanesian/Papuan descent. The largest Malayo-Polynesian ethnic groups are the Tetum^[41] (or Tetun) (100,000), primarily in the north coast and around Dili; the Mambae (80,000), in the central mountains; the Tukudede (63,170), in the area around Maubara and Liquiçá; the Galoli (50,000), between the tribes of Mambae and Makasae; the Kemak (50,000) in north-central Timor island; and the Baikeno (20,000), in the area around Pante Macassar. The main tribes of predominantly Papuan origin include the Bunak (50,000), in the central interior of Timor island; the Fataluku (30,000), at the eastern tip of the island near Lospalos; and the Makasae, toward the eastern end of the island. In addition, like other former Portuguese colonies where interracial marriage was common, there is a smaller population of people of mixed Timorese and Portuguese origin, known in Portuguese as mestiços. The East Timorese mestiço best-known internationally is José Ramos-Horta, the spokesman for the resistance movement in exile, and now President of East Timor. Mário Viegas Carrascalão, Indonesia's appointed governor between 1987 and 1992, is also a mestiço. East Timor also has a small Chinese minority, most of whom are Hakka. Most left after the Indonesian invasion, with most moving to Australia although many Sino-Timorese have returned, including Pedro Lay, the Minister for Infrastructure.

Population

952,618 (July 2002 est.)

note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (2002 est.)

Population growth rate

3.91% (2006 est.)

Net migration rate

51.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.85 years

male: 62.64 years

female: 67.17 years (2002 est.)

Nationality

noun: Timorese

adjective: Timorese

Ethnic groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese and European Portuguese descent.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_East_Timor ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_timor#Demographics

EAST TIMORESE food

The Cuisine of East Timor consists of regional popular foods found in East Timor (Timor-Leste), located in the Southeast Asian Malay Archipelago. Pork, fish, basil, tamarind, legumes, corn, rice, root vegetables, and tropical fruit are important ingredients for Timorese dishes. East Timorese cuisine has traditional influences from Southeast Asian foods and significant influences from Portuguese dishes because of its colonization by Portugal until 1975. Additionally, flavors and ingredients from other former Portuguese colonies can be found due to the presence of Portuguese soldiers from other colonies in East Timor.

Also in Dili, foreign cuisines are available and include Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Thai.

East Timorese Dishes

Batar daan- A popular dish of corn, mung beans, and pumpkin.
Budu- A sauce of tomato, mint, lime, and Spanish onion.
Ikan sabuko- A Spanish mackerel in tamarind marinade with basil and capsicum.
Tapai- A fermented rice dish. It is sweet, sour, and slightly alcoholic.
Caril - A mild chicken curry with a roasted capsicum and coconut paste.
Feijoada – A common dish of former Portuguese colonies, it is made with pork, cannellini beans and chorizo.

Hungry-Season in Timor-Leste

“Hungry Season” is November to February and is due to the unpredictable climate. Many households depend on their own production of food because of the erratic climate conditions, such as droughts.

Akar is eaten by the poor and is a widely available food source. It is dried palm tree bark, beaten into a powder, mixed with water to form a jelly and then cooked over fire.

Desserts

Bibinka- A grilled and layered coconut cake

Portuguese tart (pastel de nata)- an egg tart pastry

Coffee

The coffee of East Timor is organic and a major cash crop for the island nation.

Taken from wikipedia

Places to go in EAST TIMOR

Batik and embroidered fabrics in traditional patterns and colours are a good souvenir, as are woodcarvings and silverwork.

Along with a Portuguese castle dating from 1627, discover abundant colonial architecture in Dili, the capital. Another attraction is the State Museum of East Timor, founded in 1995, with one-tenth of its collection still surviving. The collection includes religious woodcarvings, wood figures, traditional crafts, musical instruments and paintings. Most of the city was destroyed in 1999, with any surviving buildings bearing considerable war wounds. UNTAET led restoration works by rebuilding the most important government and official buildings. There are many catholic churches in Dili and a famous, large statue of Christ on a hilltop near Cape Fatucama. There are numerous bars and nightclubs in Dili, with many on the beachfront. All are open late, and serve food as well as drinks. Try the Poy Cholor for food service until 0500, a live band and a DJ. If you are looking for something more adventurous then the Caz bar hires kayaks for late night fun, while a barbecue cooks fried fish.

Relax on the beach Areia Branca. Outside Dili, there are numerous beautiful beaches, the most popular being Areia Branca ('white sand'). Due to its location, Baucau is always comfortably cool and the beaches 5km (3 miles) from the city are breathtaking. The four-hour journey between Dili and Baucau is well worth taking, offering some of the finest coastal views.

Despite the devastation it has incurred, visitors can enjoy the charm of Baucau, the second-largest city in East Timor. The city boasts Portuguese colonial architecture and caves used by the Japanese during the occupation in WWII.

Head for Com, a beautiful fishing village, popular for weekend getaways. The main activities are fishing and snorkelling. The 20 sublime rooms of the Com Beach Resort, are a sign of things to come, with talk of a real five-star resort being developed in the future.

Fatsuba is a notable reminder of the Portuguese period, with an old garrison that overlooks the town of Pantemakassar from a hill. In front of the mountain, in a courtyard, is a little coral grotto which houses a statue of the Virgin Mary.

In Maubara, visit the 17th-century fort. The fort, once a prison, has a substantial coastal wall with cannons pointing out.

Oecussi province belongs to East Timor politically, yet is a part of Indonesian West Timor culturally and geographically; it was 95% destroyed during the fighting and the remaining inhabitants mostly live in small hamlets and villages. Its capital, Pantemakassar, was the first Portuguese settlement and, as such, has special meaning for the East Timorese. A sleepy little town, it lies between the coast and the mountains. Coral reefs off the nearby coast offer the opportunity for diving and snorkelling. Mountain biking and hiking are possible in the interior or in the mountains.

Taken from www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in EAST TIMOR

Prior to and during colonization, Timor was best known for its sandalwood.

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of East Timor was destroyed by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias, and 260,000 people fled westward. From 2002 to 2005, an international program led by the UN, manned by civilian advisers, 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, substantially reconstructed the infrastructure. By mid-2002, all but about 50,000 of the refugees had returned.

One promising long-term project is the joint development with Australia of petroleum and natural gas resources in the waters southeast of Timor. The Portuguese colonial administration granted concessions to Oceanic Exploration Corporation to develop the deposits. However, this was curtailed by the Indonesian invasion in 1976. The resources were divided between Indonesia and Australia with the Timor Gap Treaty in 1989.^[29] The treaty established guidelines for joint exploitation of seabed resources in the area of the "gap" left by then-Portuguese Timor in the maritime boundary agreed between the two countries in 1972.^[30] Revenues from the "joint" area were to be divided 50%–50%. Woodside Petroleum and ConocoPhillips began development of some resources in the Timor Gap on behalf of the two governments in 1992.

East Timorinherited no permanent maritime boundaries when it attained independence, repudiating the Timor Gap Treaty as illegal. A provisional agreement (the Timor Sea Treaty, signed when East Timor became independent on 20 May 2002) defined a Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA), and awarded 90% of revenues from existing projects in that area to East Timor and 10% to Australia.^[31] The first significant new development in the JPDA since Timorese independence is the largest petroleum resource in the Timor Sea, the Greater Sunrise gas field. Its exploitation was the subject of separate agreements in 2003 and 2005. Only 20% of the field lies within the JPDA and the rest in waters not subject to the treaty (though claimed by both countries). The initial, temporary agreement gave 82% of revenues to Australia and only 18% to East Timor.^[32]

The government of East Timor has sought to negotiate a definite boundary with Australia at the halfway line between the countries, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The government of Australia preferred to establish the boundary at the end of the wide Australian continental shelf, as agreed with Indonesia in 1972 and 1991. Normally a dispute such as this would be referred to the International Court of Justice or the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for an impartial decision,^[33] but the Australian government had withdrawn itself from these international jurisdictions (solely on matters relating to maritime boundaries) shortly before Timorese independence.^[34][35] Nevertheless, under public and diplomatic pressure, the Australian government offered instead a last-minute concession on Greater Sunrise gas field royalties alone.^[36] On July 7, 2005, an agreement was signed under which both countries would set aside the dispute over the maritime boundary, and East Timor would receive 50% of the revenues (estimated at A$26 billion or about US$20 billion over the lifetime of the project)^[37] from the Greater Sunrise development. Other developments within waters claimed by East Timor but outside the JPDA (Laminaria-Corallina and Buffalo) continue to be exploited unilaterally by Australia, however.^[38]

In 2007, a bad harvest led to deaths in several parts of Timor-Leste. In November 2007, eleven subdistricts still needed food supplied by international aid.^[39]

East Timoralso has a large and potentially lucrative coffee industry, which sells organic coffee to numerous Fair Trade retailers and on the open market.

Currently three foreign banks have a branch in Dili: Australia's ANZ, Portugal's Banco Nacional Ultramarino, and Indonesia's Bank Mandiri.

There are no patent laws in East Timor.

Taken from wikipedia