DILI (Reuters) – Portuguese is one of the two official languages in East Timor, but you can hardly hear it spoken in the streets of the young nation. The tiny country was
a Portuguese colony for more than three centuries
, but only an estimated 5 percent of its one million people now speak the European language.
How many years did Portugal colonize Timor Leste?
Early Portuguese Rule in East Timor
East Timor was ruled by the Portuguese for
500 years
. Spice traders from Portugal arrived in East Timor in 1511 and established an outpost there primarily to harvest sandalwood. The Dutch arrived in the southwest of Timor island in 1613. The Portuguese moved to the north and east.
Why did Portugal colonize Timor?
At the beginning of the twentieth century, a faltering home economy prompted the Portuguese to extract greater wealth from its colonies, resulting in increased resistance to Portuguese rule in Portuguese Timor.
Why was East Timor invaded?
The Indonesian invasion of East Timor, known in Indonesia as Operation Lotus (Indonesian: Operasi Seroja), began on 7 December 1975 when the Indonesian military (ABRI/TNI) invaded East Timor under the pretext of anti-colonialism and anti-communism to overthrow the Fretilin regime that had emerged in 1974.
What is East Timor known for?
East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, is a sovereign country located in Southeast Asia. … The country’s diverse culture is influenced by Roman Catholicism, Indonesian culture, and Portuguese culture. East Timor is also
rich in art and amazing Southeast Asian cuisine
.
Who colonized Timor?
The Portuguese
began to trade with Timor by the early 16th century and colonised it throughout the mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty for which Portugal ceded the western half of the island.
How long did Portugal colonize Indonesia?
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 3 —Indonesia today completed its takeover of East Timor, end ing
400 years
of Portuguese rule.
Did Australia help East Timor?
Australia has led international support for East Timor during its first 10 years of independence, not only as the largest bilateral donor of development assistance, but also by providing a leadership role to ensure security and stability in the country.
Is Timor Leste a poor country?
East Timor continues to be one of the world’s poorest countries
, with GDP per capita standing at $3,949 (2011). As of 2015, Timor-Leste had a population of 1.17 million and an annual growth rate at 1.8%. … Based on the total population, 40.2% aged 15 years and above were employed.
What are Timor Leste’s main industries?
| Statistics | Main industries printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth | Ease-of-doing-business rank 181st (below average, 2020) | External | Exports $24 million (2017 est; excludes oil) |
|---|
What was East Timor called before?
East Timor was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century and was known as Portuguese Timor until 28 November 1975, when the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) declared the territory’s independence.
How many Indonesian soldiers died in East Timor?
| East Timor genocide | Date Occupation lasted from 1975 to 1999, though much of the killing occurred in the 1970s | Target Population of East Timor | Attack type Forced disappearance, Genocidal massacre | Deaths Estimates of the total number of war dead range from 100,000–300,000 |
|---|
What is the national dish of East Timor?
Food of East Timor
The national dish of the country is
Ikan Pepes
, which is fish, steamed in chili sauce and wrapped in banana leaves.
Is English spoken in Timor-Leste?
This guide provides resources on the country’s history, languages, and government. Timor-Leste’s two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum, and
its two working languages are English and Indonesian
.
What is the largest ethnic group in Timor-Leste?
The largest ethnic group of Papuan origin are
the Bunak (85,000)
, Fataluku (45,000) the Makasae (75,000). There is also a significant population of Mestiço (a mixed-race of Portuguese and East Timorese). The non-native population consists of immigrants from China, Indonesia, and the neighboring Asian countries.
