Timor-Leste / República Democrática de Timor-Leste / Repúblika Demokrátika de Timór-Leste – Let’s explore here
What’s it like in Timor-Leste?
Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, is a beautiful but relatively poor, tropical country on the eastern side of the island of Timor in south east Asia. The country’s name can literally be translated as ‘East-East’! It has a long and troubled history, and in 2002, it became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century.
The interior of the country is full of inactive volcanic mountains, and is vulnerable to flooding and landslides that occur as a result of heavy rain. The highest point in the country is Tatamailau, at 9,721 ft (2,963 m) above sea level. Its only land neighbour is Indonesia.
The population of Timor-Leste is around 1⅓ million people (2023), with about ⅓ million living in the capital, Dili. Timor-Leste has a young population, with around two in five being under the age of 15 years.
A bit about the history of East Timor
Early History
Timor-Leste has a history that dates back thousands of years with indigenous Austronesian-speaking peoples. The island of Timor was influenced by various civilisations, including the Portuguese in the 16th century. Portuguese missionaries and traders arrived in the region, marking the beginning of European influence.
Portuguese Colonial Period
In the early 1500s, Portuguese traders arrived on the island, and by the mid-16th century, Portugal had established a colony in the eastern part of Timor. Over the next few centuries, the Portuguese maintained control, but their presence in the region was often limited to coastal areas. The interior of Timor remained largely autonomous under local rulers. During this period, Catholicism spread, and the Portuguese language and culture influenced the region.
Independence Movements and Indonesian Occupation
In 1975, following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, Timor-Leste declared independence. However, just nine days later, Indonesia invaded and annexed the territory, citing concerns over communist influence in the region. This marked the beginning of a brutal occupation that lasted for nearly 24 years. The Indonesian military’s actions led to widespread atrocities, and tens of thousands of East Timorese died as a result of violence, famine and disease.
UN Administration and Independence
In 1999, after years of resistance and international pressure, Indonesia agreed to hold a referendum on Timor-Leste’s independence. The overwhelming majority of East Timorese voted for independence, but this resulted in violent reprisals from pro-Indonesian militias. The United Nations intervened, and a peacekeeping force was deployed to stabilise the region. In 2002, Timor-Leste officially became an independent nation.
Post-Independence Challenges
Since independence, Timor-Leste has faced numerous challenges, including rebuilding the country after decades of conflict, establishing political stability, and addressing economic underdevelopment. The country has worked to strengthen its institutions and infrastructure, although poverty and political tensions remain issues. Despite these difficulties, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in terms of peace-building and nation-building.
Recent Developments
In recent years, Timor-Leste has continued to make strides in political and economic development. The country has explored its natural resources, including oil and gas reserves, to boost its economy. Timor-Leste has also worked to strengthen its position within regional and international organisations. However, challenges such as poverty, corruption, and limited access to healthcare and education persist.
East Timor road trip
We haven’t finished our planning for our road trip through Timor-Leste yet. When we do though, we’ll post it here, and in the blog.
Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂
Map of East Timor
What’s it like to drive in Timor-Leste?
They drive on the left hand side of the road in East Timor. In the main, roads are very poor, with many being unsurfaced dirt tracks. Driving standards are also poor.
Do you require an international driving permit in Timor-Leste?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Timor-Leste?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Timor-Leste?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
What currency do they use in Timor-Leste?
In East Timor they use US dollar notes and Timor-Leste centavo coins. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is not widely accepted. Travellers cheques are not readily accepted. There are very few ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?
They speak Austronesian and Papuan in East Timor. Many other indigenous languages are also spoken. Portuguese is also widely spoken.
What time zone is Timor-Leste in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Timor-Leste?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Timor-Leste?
Yes, wild camping is fine in East Timor.
What plug / socket type do they use in Timor-Leste?
In East Timor they use plug / socket types C, E, F and I.
Health in East Timor
Is it safe to drink water in Timor-Leste?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in East Timor. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.
What vaccinations are required for Timor-Leste?
This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in East Timor.
Phones in Timor-Leste
What is the country calling code for Timor-Leste?
The country calling code for East Timor is +670
What are the emergency phone numbers in Timor-Leste?
- The emergency number for police in East Timor is: 112
- In East Timor, the emergency number for ambulance is: 112
- The emergency number for fire in East Timor is: 112
If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!