Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Maritime Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island surrounded by Indonesian West Timor. The country's size is about 15,410 km2. The name Timor-Leste is a portmanteau of Timor and East; it is commonly referred to as simply Timor. The word timur is Malay for "east"; leste is Portuguese for "east". The origins of the name Timor are unclear. Timor is a Malay word for "east", but it is unclear whether this is the name of the island or the name of the people. It is also possible that it is derived from the Austronesian word for "treasure", as the island was often a source of valuable sandalwood and spices in the past. The Dutch colonized the island in the 17th century, and it remained under Dutch rule until the Japanese invasion in World War II. After the war, it was annexed by Indonesia. In 1975, the Indonesian military invaded the territory in an attempt to quell a pro-independence movement. This led to a long and bloody conflict that only ended in 1999 with a UN-sponsored referendum in which the people of Timor-Leste voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence. Today, Timor-Leste is a young country struggling to develop after years of conflict. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of just $1,200. However, it has made great strides in recent years, and its economy is growing rapidly. The country is also working to improve its infrastructure and attract foreign investment. Timor-Leste is a beautiful country with a rich culture and a fascinating history. It is a great place to visit, and there are many things to see and do. If you are interested in learning more about the country and its people, I encourage you to visit Timor-Leste.