 East Timor — (ēst tē´môr) |
About The People
Did You Know...... Paintings of animals, dancers and symbols, estimated to be five thousand years old, can be seen in t »» More
Fashion... East Timorese dress in casual clothing, including loose pants and patterned shirts for both men and »» More
Socializing... The people are very proud of the independence of their country after a long struggle. They are somet »» More
Family... The extended family is paramount in the lives of East Timorese, though families have been split by t »» More
| World Region: Southeast Asia
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East Timor History
Portuguese and Dutch traders made the first western contact with East Timor in the early 16th century. Sandalwood and spice traders, as well as missionaries, maintained sporadic contact with the island until 1642, when the Portuguese moved into Timor in strength. The Portuguese and the Dutch, based at the western end of the island in Kupang, battled for influence until the present-day borders were agreed to by the colonial powers in 1906. Imperial Japan occupied East Timor from 1942-45. Portugal resumed colonial authority over East Timor in 1945 after the Japanese defeat in World War II.
Following a military coup in Lisbon in April 1974, Portugal began a rapid and disorganized decolonization »» More | Statistics, Graphs, Charts, & Data Tables
Capital Cities... Dili
Population: 1,062,777
GDP: $370,000,000 (USD)
Total Area: 15,007 (sq km) 5,794 (sq mi)
Currency: US dollar
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