FAQ
Where is East Timor
East Timor, a half island 350 miles north of Darwin, Australia and is the poorest country in SE Asia and one of the four most impoverished countries in the world. To view various maps of the region click Here.
What is the population
The estimated population of East Timor in 2009 was 1,131,612. Dili has a population of 49,000 (2003 estimate). Some 92 percent of the population lives in rural areas.
What is the Peter Trust Logo
The Peter Trust logo depicts the stylised rendition of a crocodile which often features as a motif in East Timorese art work e.g. in the woven cloth known as tais. A traditional story tells of the origin of East Timor in this way… (Click here)
What is the Countryside and climate like
It has a mountainous terrain. Tata Malau (also known as Mount Ramelau) in the west, is the highest peak (2,950 m/9,679 ft). Many rivers flow from the mountains through the coastal plains. The climate is hot with monsoon rains falling between December and March. Daily temperatures range from highs of 30° to 34°C (86° to 93°F) to lows of 20° to 23°C (68° to 73°F). October to December is the hottest period. In the south, the foothills of the mountains are covered in acacia and eucalyptus, but the north coast is arid, with a severe dry season.
What is the main language
Many East Timorese people are descendants of the Tetum, who traditionally inhabited the south central area of the island. These people speak the Tetum language, a Malayo-Polynesian language of the Austronesian language family. Other smaller ethnic groups, many with their own languages, live in small, scattered communities.
Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages of East Timor. Only a small minority of the population speaks Portuguese, which was introduced when East Timor was a colony of Portugal. However, a variant of Tetum called Tetum Prasa incorporates many Portuguese loan words; it is widely spoken in and around Dili. Bahasa Indonesia and English are also spoken in the country. Literacy is relatively low in East Timor; only 43 percent of individuals aged 15 and older can read and write.
What is the main Religion
Roman Catholicism is the religion of about 90 percent of the population. Many East Timorese continue to follow traditional animist beliefs. Although Islam and Hinduism have significant followings in many parts of the Malay Archipelago, including Indonesia, neither religion is well established in East Timor.
What is the Currency
The official currency of East Timor is the U.S. dollar. The Central Bank of East Timor has the sole power of issue.
What does the East Timor Flag Look Like
