Atauro Island: Timor-Leste's (East Timor )Hidden Paradise

Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor, is a fascinating country that occupies the eastern half of the island of Timor, along with the surrounding islands of Atauro and Jaco, as well as the West Timorese enclave of Oecusse. It is bounded by Indonesia to the west and the Timor Sea to the south, with Australia located farther south across the sea. The country declared independence from Portugal in 1975, but was subsequently subjected to harsh Indonesian rule until it achieved sovereignty in 2002, following a UN-sponsored referendum held in 1999. This places Timor-Leste among the world's youngest states.
Dili, the capital and largest city, is the political and economic hub of the country. Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages, reflecting the country's colonial heritage, but Indonesian and English are also commonly spoken, notably in education and trade. The country's population is slightly over 1.3 million, with a diverse mix of races, cultures, and languages that reflect its complex history of migration, trade, and colonization.
Economically, Timor-Leste has had tremendous obstacles. Its economy is mainly reliant on oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea, which generate a significant amount of government revenue. However, the limited availability of natural resources and unpredictable worldwide prices have driven initiatives to diversify the economy. Agriculture is important in rural areas, with coffee being a key export commodity. The government is actively encouraging tourism, citing the country's natural beauty and rich cultural legacy as major draws.

Author: Paul Thomas

Publisher: Independently Published

Publication Date: Nov 18, 2024

Number of Pages: 210 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: NA

ISBN-13: 9798300369316