History

THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE is situated on the eastern part of the island of Timor, the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is bordered by the Wetar Strait to the north and the Timor Sea to the south. The western half of the island belongs to the Republic of Indonesia and is part of East Nusa Tengara province. Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony from the early 16th century until 1975 and was occupied by Indonesia from 1976 to 1999. On 30 August 1999 the people of Timor-Leste voted over-whelmingly to become an independent nation, and the territory was subsequently placed under the administration of the United Nations (UN) in October 1999. In August 2001, 91.3% of eligible Timor-Lesteese participated in the first democratic, multiparty election for a Constituent Assembly, whose members wrote the country's first constitution. This Constituent Assembly became the first Parliament after Independence on 20 May 2002. In April 2002, Timor-Leste held its first-ever presidential election. Independence hero Xanana Gusmao won by a landslide 86.3% votes of those eligible to participate.

The country has a land area of approximately 14,610 square kilometers. The Enclave of Oecussi in the western part of Timor Island is a part of the national territory of Timor-Leste, as are the islands of Atauro and Jaco.

The climate is hot, with an average temperature of 21 degrees C, and a high humidity of about 80%. October to December is the hottest period. On the southern side of the island, acacia and eucalyptus trees cover the foothills of the mountains, but the north coast is arid, with a severe dry season. The country is organized into 13 districts, 67 postos (sub-districts), 498 sucos (villages) and 2,336 aldeias (hamlets). The districts have district administrators with a small complement of staff and coordinators at the postos.

POPULATION

• Timor-Leste is a small, post-crisis country with a population of about 01 850,000 and a land area of 14,610 square kilometers.
• The vast majority of poor people (85%) live in rural areas.
• 620,000 Timorese do not have electricity.
• Timor-Leste has a young population; with about 48.1 % below 17 years. 17% are under 5 years.
• 46% of the population 11 years or older never attended school, th and cannot read or write.
• Average life expectancy is 57 years.
• Population growth is estimated at 3.93% per year, with a sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 107.
• 560,000 people live in families without a radio.
• Although 80% of the population currently has access to health ir services comprising four hospitals, 65 community health centres and 82 health posts, the current average walking time to a health centre is 70 minutes.