The territory of East Timor in Southeast Asia was ruled by Indonesia from 1976 until its people voted for independence in 1999. Months of violence surrounding the controversial vote left much of the territory in ruins. Troops sent by the United Nations (UN) restored and kept peace in East Timor as it rebuilt and developed a government. East Timor became a self-governing nation in 2002. Its capital is Dili. GeographyEast Timor covers an area of 5,743 square miles (14,874 square kilometers). It consists of the eastern half of the island of Timor, the small islands of Atauro and Jaco, and an area called Ambeno that surrounds the town of Pante Makasar on the northwestern coast of Timor. The western half of the island, called West Timor, is part of Indonesia. The waters that border East Timor are the Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, and the Ombai Strait to the northwest. The eastern part of Timor is rugged. The mountains rise to 9,721 feet (2,963 meters) at Mount Tatamailau. The area has a dry climate and moderate rainfall. Hilly areas are covered with sandalwood trees. Scrub and grass grow in the lowlands, together with coconut palms and eucalyptus trees. There are hot springs and numerous mountain streams. Wildlife includes the cuscus (a type of marsupial), monkeys, deer, civet cats, snakes, and crocodiles. People and economyMost of the people of East Timor trace their ancestry to Southeast Asia or Pacific islands. They are mainly of Papuan, Malayan, and Polynesian origin. Christianity is the chief religion. More than 30 different Papuan and Malayan languages are spoken. Agriculture is the basis of the economy. The main products include copra (dried coconut), animal hides, coffee, cotton, rice, wheat, tobacco, wool, potatoes, and corn (maize), as well as pearls and sandalwood. Soap, perfumes, processed food, chemicals, and machine goods are produced, and coffee is processed. Crafts include pottery, wood and ivory carving, and basket making. HistoryLittle is known of Timor's early history. The Portuguese first settled on the island in 1520, and the Spanish arrived in 1522. The Dutch took possession of the western portion of the island in 1613. The Dutch and the Portuguese fought for control of Timor. Portuguese rule over the island's eastern half was established by treaties in 1860 and 1893, though the second treaty became effective only in 1914. Japanese forces occupied Timor during World War II (1939–45). After Japan was defeated, East Timor, including the Ambeno area, remained under Portuguese control for three more decades. In 1975 one of the major political parties there, Fretilin, gained control of much of the territory and declared its independence as the Democratic Republic of East Timor. The Portuguese then withdrew from the country. Within weeks Indonesian forces invaded and occupied the area. In 1976 Indonesia declared the territory to be part of Indonesia as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). Over the next two decades thousands of East Timorese died resisting Indonesian rule. Other countries pressured Indonesia to change East Timor's political situation. In response, the Indonesian government allowed the people of East Timor to vote on the future of the territory in 1999. They were given the choice of keeping East Timor as part of Indonesia or becoming independent. Almost four fifths of the voters supported independence, and Indonesia gave up its claim to the territory. In the months before and after the vote, however, militias (armed groups) that opposed independence went on a rampage through East Timor. The Indonesian military supported them. Most of Dili was destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people fled to West Timor. Troops sent by the UN restored peace. For almost three years East Timor was ruled by the UN as the territory prepared for independence. In April 2002 Xanana Gusmão was elected East Timor's first president. The next month the territory became an independent nation. Population (2001 estimate), 897,000. |