Time Difference:
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Travel Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Travel Currency:
US dollar (USD)
Language Spoken:
Portuguese and Tetum, the local language, are both official languages. Bahasa-Indonesia and English are also used in commercial and government spheres. English is often used in academic and non-government spheres. In school, it is still debated whether to focus on written Tetum, or Portuguese.
Languages:
Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English
note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people
Ethnic Groups:
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority
National Holiday:
Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Geographic Coordinates:
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Location:
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Airports:
2