Discover Fascinating Timor-Leste Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste
Background
๐ Timor-Leste has a rich and fascinating history! For centuries, it was part of active trading networks in Southeast Asia. By the 14th century, Timor was exporting products like sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. ๐ฏ๐ฒ The island was colonized by Portugal in the mid-16th century, shaping its future greatly. ๐ฐ Fast forward to 1976 when it became part of Indonesia as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). Finally, in 2002, Timor-Leste proudly gained its independence and was recognized as a sovereign state! ๐
Year Timor-Leste gained independence
2002
Year incorporated into Indonesia
1976
Century of Portuguese colonization
16th century
Century of active trading networks
14th century
Exports - commodities
๐ฆ Timor-Leste's Exports - Commodities ๐
Timor-Leste has a variety of valuable exports that help its economy grow! Here are some of the main products they sell to other countries:
- Crude Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Coffee โ
- Natural Gas ๐ฌ๏ธ
- Beer ๐บ
- Construction Vehicles ๐
These items are important for trade and show the diversity of products Timor-Leste offers to the world! ๐
Capital
๐ The capital city of Timor-Leste is Dili! Nestled along the beautiful coastline, Dili is not just a place on the map; it's the heart of the country, filled with vibrant culture and history! ๐๐๏ธ Whether you're enjoying the stunning beaches or exploring the rich heritage, thereโs always something amazing happening in Dili! ๐๏ธ๐
Imports - commodities
๐ข Timor-Leste's Imports - Commodities ๐
Timor-Leste imports a variety of essential commodities that keep its economy moving! In 2022, the country brought in:
- Refined petroleum
- Rice
- Cars
- Coal
- Cranes
Each of these commodities plays a vital role in keeping the lights on, the cars running, and the infrastructure growing! ๐
Number of Commodities Imported
5
Climate
๐ด Timor-Leste has a tropical climate! โ๏ธ It is hot and humid, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. This means that while you can enjoy sunny days most of the year, you'll also need an umbrella when the rains come pouring down! โ๏ธ
Climate Type
Tropical
Characteristics
Hot and Humid
Seasons
Distinct Rainy and Dry Seasons
Executive branch
๐น๐ฑ In Timor-Leste, the Executive branch is led by a couple of important figures! The chief of state is President Josรฉ RAMOS-HORTA, who has been in office since 20 May 2022. On the other hand, the head of government is Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO, who took the position on 1 July 2023. These leaders help guide the country and make important decisions for its future! ๐
Current President
José RAMOS-HORTA
President's term start
20 May 2022
Current Prime Minister
Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO
Prime Minister's term start
1 July 2023
Legislative branch
๐ Timor-Leste's legislative branch is quite unique! It features a unicameral National Parliament that is made up of 65 seats. Unlike some countries that have two separate chambers, Timor-Leste's parliament operates as a single body, making it easier to pass laws and make decisions for the nation. ๐๏ธ
Total Seats in National Parliament
65
Natural resources
๐ Timor-Leste is rich in natural resources! The country proudly boasts gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, and marble. Each of these resources plays a significant role in shaping the economy and providing for its people. Let's take a closer look at what makes these resources important! ๐๏ธ๐ฐ
Natural Resources Identified
5
Economic overview
๐ Timor-Leste is classified as a lower middle-income economy in Southeast Asia. The country relies heavily on oil fund drawdowns to fund government expenditures, which highlights its dependence on natural resources. However, endemic corruption is a major problem that hinders economic growth. ๐ Additionally, foreign aid dependence is a significant aspect, and the nation struggles with widespread issues like poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy. ๐ These factors contribute to a challenging economic landscape for the people of Timor-Leste.
Income Classification
Lower middle-income
Economic Dependence
Foreign aid-dependent
Main Funding Source for Government Expenditure
Oil fund drawdowns
Major Economic Challenges
Corruption, poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy
Government type
๐ Timor-Leste is a semi-presidential republic! This means that the country has both a president and a prime minister, sharing the powers of the government together. It's a unique way to govern that allows for a blend of leadership styles and responsibilities. This system helps ensure that different voices are heard and that the government is balanced! ๐
Type of Government
Semi-presidential republic
Ethnic groups
In Timor-Leste, the vibrant tapestry of ethnic groups weaves together a rich cultural heritage! ๐จ Let's take a closer look at the different communities that call this beautiful nation home:
- Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian): This group includes many sub-groups such as Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, and Baikeno. They represent a large part of the population and have significant influence in the country's culture and traditions.
- Melanesian-Papuan: Encompassing groups like Bunak, Fataluku, and Bakasai, this community adds diversity to Timor-Leste's ethnic landscape.
- Small Chinese minority: A smaller yet important part of the population, contributing to the country's economic and cultural diversity.
Together, these groups create a unique blend of languages, traditions, and lifestyles that reflect the rich history of Timor-Leste! ๐น๐ฑโจ
Austronesian Population Percentage
70%
Melanesian-Papuan Population Percentage
20%
Chinese Population Percentage
10%
Ethnic Groups in Timor-Leste
Religions
Religions of Timor-Leste ๐โ๏ธ๐
Timor-Leste is a diverse nation when it comes to religion! Hereโs a quick look at the percentages of different religious groups in 2015:
- Roman Catholic: 97.6%
- Protestant/Evangelical: 2%
- Muslim: 0.2%
- Other: 0.2%
As you can see, the majority of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, making it a significant part of their cultural heritage! ๐
Percentage of Roman Catholics
97.6%
Percentage of Protestants/Evangelicals
2%
Percentage of Muslims
0.2%
Percentage of Other Religions
0.2%
Distribution of Religions in Timor-Leste
Languages
๐ Let's dive into the fascinating world of languages spoken in Timor-Leste! According to the 2015 estimates, the population speaks a variety of languages, with Tetun Prasa leading the way at 30.6%. ๐ Here's a breakdown of the languages:
- Tetun Prasa: 30.6%
- Mambai: 16.6%
- Makasai: 10.5%
- Tetun Terik: 6.1%
- Baikenu: 5.9%
- Kemak: 5.8%
- Bunak: 5.5%
- Tokodede: 4%
- Fataluku: 3.5%
- Waima'a: 1.8%
- Galoli: 1.4%
- Naueti: 1.4%
- Idate: 1.2%
- Midiki: 1.2%
- Other: 4.5%
๐ This chart will help you see how each language shares the spotlight in this vibrant country!
Percentage of Tetun Prasa speakers
30.6%
Percentage of Mambai speakers
16.6%
Percentage of other languages combined
4.5%
Languages Spoken in Timor-Leste (2015)
Imports - partners
๐น๐ฑ Timor-Leste has a diverse set of trading partners for its imports in 2022! Here's the scoop on where its goods come from:
- Indonesia: 27% ๐ฆ
- China: 23% ๐จ๐ณ
- Singapore: 9% ๐ธ๐ฌ
- Australia: 6% ๐ฆ๐บ
- Malaysia: 6% ๐ฒ๐พ
Together, these countries make up the whole pie of Timor-Leste's imports! ๐ฐ Letโs take a closer look at how these percentages add up!
Total Import Partners
5
Highest Import Partner
Indonesia (27%)
Second Highest Import Partner
China (23%)
Timor-Leste's Import Partners (2022)
Exports - partners
๐ Exports Partners of Timor-Leste (2022) ๐
Timor-Leste has some key partners when it comes to trade! Here's how the country's exports break down among its major partners:
- China: 25% ๐จ๐ณ
- Indonesia: 20% ๐ฎ๐ฉ
- Japan: 14% ๐ฏ๐ต
- South Korea: 13% ๐ฐ๐ท
- Thailand: 7% ๐น๐ญ
Together, these partners play a huge role in helping Timor-Leste share its goods with the world! Let's take a closer look at the percentage breakdown of these trading relationships.
Total Export Partners Count
5
Exports Partners of Timor-Leste (2022)
Population
Did you know that Timor-Leste has a population of 1,506,909 people? ๐ That's a diverse and vibrant community living on this beautiful island nation! With each person contributing to the cultural tapestry, it's exciting to think about all the stories and traditions that make up the population! ๐
Total Population
1,506,909
Area
๐บ๏ธ Let's explore the area of Timor-Leste! ๐
Timor-Leste is a beautiful country with a total area of 14,874 square kilometers! That's quite spacious for all the amazing sights and attractions it has to offer! ๐
Here's a quick look at the different types of area:
- Land Area: 14,874 square kilometers
- Water Area: 0 square kilometers ๐
This means that all of Timor-Leste's area is land! How cool is that? ๐๏ธ
Total Area
14,874 sq km
Land Area
14,874 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐Timor-Leste's Real GDP ๐
Timor-Leste's economy is on the rise! Hereโs a quick look at its Real GDP (purchasing power parity) over the past few years:
- 2021: $9.207 billion
- 2022: $7.316 billion
- 2023: $6.265 billion
It seems like the GDP has decreased since 2021. ๐ Maybe challenges came up that affected the economy. Understanding how this works is important for the bright future of Timor-Leste! ๐
Real GDP in 2021
$9.207 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$7.316 billion
Real GDP in 2023
$6.265 billion
Timor-Leste Real GDP Over the Years
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at the economic growth of Timor-Leste! The Real GDP per capita shows how much money each person would get if all the money in the country was shared equally. Here's how it has changed in the last few years:
- In 2021, the GDP per capita was $7,000.
- It dropped to $5,500 in 2022, which is a bit concerning.
- By 2023, it is estimated to be $4,600.
This means that the money available for each person is getting lower! But why could that be? Let's visualize the data! ๐
GDP per Capita in 2021
7000 USD
GDP per Capita in 2022
5500 USD
GDP per Capita in 2023
4600 USD
Real GDP per Capita in Timor-Leste (2021 - 2023)
Imports
๐ Let's take a look at Timor-Leste's imports over the past few years! In 2021, the country's imports were valued at $1.298 billion. The following year in 2022, this number increased to $1.405 billion! By 2023, imports further grew, reaching an estimated $1.179 billion. It's interesting to see how the imports have fluctuated! ๐
Import Value in 2021
1.298 billion USD
Import Value in 2022
1.405 billion USD
Estimated Import Value in 2023
1.179 billion USD
Timor-Leste Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ Let's take a look at the exports of Timor-Leste over the years! The exports have noticeably changed from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, Timor-Leste exported a total of $2.772 billion. The following year, in 2022, this amount decreased to $1.858 billion. As of the latest estimate in 2023, exports decreased further to $701.808 million. It's interesting to see how these numbers have shifted! ๐
Have a closer look at the timeline below for a clearer view!
Total exports in 2021
$2.772 billion
Total exports in 2022
$1.858 billion
Total exports in 2023
$701.808 million
Exports of Timor-Leste (2021-2023)
Population growth rate
๐ Timor-Leste is experiencing a notable population growth rate of 2.04% in 2024! This means more people are calling this beautiful country home every year. ๐ Let's dive into what this number means for the future of Timor-Leste! ๐
Population growth rate for 2024
2.04%