EAST TIMOR Newest Country found in Southeast Asia composed the eastern half of the island Timor world's

9;s newest nation on its independence 19,000 sq. km part of the island Timor Facts and Figures Flag:

Coat of arms:

Official name: Democratic Republlic of Timor Leste Type of Government: Parliamentary Republic Head of State: President of East Timor President: Jose Ramos-Horta Prime Minister:Xanana Gusmao Official language: Portuguese and Tetum 15 Indigenous languages Bekais Bunal Dawan Fatalulu Galoli Habun Lalaka Kawamina Kemak Loraia Makahera Makasai Mambai Tokdede Wetarese

National Anthem: Patria Capital: Dili Motto: Unity, Action, Progress Religion: Christianity Currency: U.S. Dollar Demonym: East Timorese 13 administrative districts: 1. Lautem 2. Baucau 3. Viqueque 4. Manatuto 5. Dili 6. Aileo 7. Manutahi 8. Liquica 9. Ermera 10. Airan 11. Bobonaro 12. Cova Lima 13. Oe cusee Ambeno Early History The island of Timor was originally populated as part of the human migrations that have shaped Australasia more generally. It is believed that descendants from at least three waves of migration still live in the country. The first were related to the principal indigenous groups of New Guinea and Australia, and arrived before 40,000 years ago. Around 3000 BC, Austronesians migrated to Timor, and are possibly associated with the development of agriculture there. Thirdly, proto-Malays arrived from south China and north Indochina.[ The mountainous terrain kept these groups separated, and this is why there is so much linguistic diversity in East Timor today. Timor was incorporated into Chinese and Indian trading networks of the 14th century as an exporter of aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey and wax. The earliest historical record about Timor island is 14th century Nagarakretagama, Canto 14, that identify Timur as an island within Majapahit's realm.

Portuguese colonization The Portuguese were the first Europeans to colonize the Maritime Southeast Asia when they arrived in the sixteenth century. They established outposts in the Maluku Islands and Timor and surrounding islands.

In the nineteenth century, the Netherlands gained a foothold on the western half of the island West Timor, and formally received it in 1859 through the Treaty of Lisbon. The definitive border was established by the Hague Treaty of 1916, and it remains the international boundary between the successor states East Timor and Indonesia. In late 1941, Portuguese Timor was briefly occupied by Dutch and Australian troops in an attempt to preempt a Japanese invasion of the island. The Portuguese Governor protested the occupation, and Dutch forces returned to the Dutch side of the island. The Japanese landed and drove the small Australian force out of Dili, and the mountainous interior became the scene of a guerrilla campaign, known as the Battle of Timor. The process of decolonization in Portuguese Timor began in 1974, following the change of government in Portugal in the wake of the Carnation Revolution. Owing to political instability and more pressing concerns over the decolonisation of Angola and Mozambique, Portugal effectively abandoned East Timor and it unilaterally declared itself independent on November 28, 1975. Nine days later, it was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces before the declaration could be internationally recognized.

Indonesian occupation The country declared itself independent from Portugal on November 28, 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces 9 days later.

Independence Following a UN-sponsored agreement between Indonesia, Portugal and the United States and a surprise decision by the Indonesian President B. J. Habibie, a UN-supervised popular referendum was held on August 30, 1999, to choose between Special Autonomy within Indonesia and independence. Finally, restored her independence on May 20, 2002

Post independence In April 2006, riots broke out in Dili following rivalry within the military and police. Jos Ramos-Horta was appointed as Alkatiri's successor on July 8, 2006.