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.
Was Timor a Portuguese colony?
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.
When did Portugal colonize East Timor?
Portugal’s presence in East Timor dates back to the 16th century when the first mer- chants and missionaries disembarked on the island around 1515. East Timor was the furthest of all Portuguese colonies, which led to a rather late effective occupation.
Why did Indonesia invade Timor?
John Taylor writes that Indonesia invaded for three main reasons: (1) to avoid the “negative example” of an independent province, (2) to have access to the high initial estimates of oil and natural gas under the Timor Sea (initial estimates which turned out to be largely mistaken), and (3) following the fall of South ...
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.
Is Timor a free country?
East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal in 1975, but was invaded by Indonesia. The country was later incorporated as a province of Indonesia. ... Following a United Nations-administered transition period, East Timor was internationally recognised as an independent nation in 2002.
Did Australia help East Timor?
Australia led the INTERFET operation in 1999, and provided substantial forces to the subsequent United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and its successor operations. ... As of 2015, 25 Australian military personnel were stationed in East Timor to deliver this assistance.
What is the religion of East Timor?
Nearly all of the population is Roman Catholic , with tiny Protestant and Muslim minorities. Some vestiges of traditional religious beliefs are also practiced in conjunction with Catholicism. About seven-tenths of the population is rural. Of those classified as urban, roughly half live in Dili.
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.
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) |
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What is the capital of Timor Leste?
In 1999, when the territory gained independence under UN supervision, Dili was designated the administrative centre. It became the capital when East Timor achieved full sovereignty in 2002. Pop. (2010) 192,652.
Who was Indonesia colonized by?
In 1596 the first Dutch vessels anchored at the shores of West Java. Over the next three centuries, the Dutch gradually colonized this archipelago until it became known as the Dutch East Indies.
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 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.
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.
