Timor-Leste

Timor‐Leste lies 400 km north of Australia, across the Timor Sea, and belongs to the Lesser Sunda Islands. It comprises the eastern half of Timor Island (which it shares with Indonesia), the separate enclave of Oecusse, situated in West Timor and the small offshore islands of Atauro and Jaco. Timor‐Leste is extremely rocky, with mountains rising to over 2 000 m. Tatamailau, sometimes also referred to as Mount Ramelau, is the highest peak in Timor‐Leste, measuring 2 986 m. Almost half of Timor‐Leste's land area has a slope of 40 degrees or more. There are some highland plains, important for agriculture, to the west of Baucau and around Lospalos and Maliana.

Timor‐Leste has a tropical climate with a dry season from May to November, and a wet season for the remainder of the year. Average monthly temperatures are high and vary between 24‐27 °C throughout the year. In the mountains at higher elevations, temperatures are much cooler. Generally, the total annual rainfall is between 1 200 and 1 400 mm. There is little or no rain for almost eight months of the year, and a wet season which lasts from December to March. -—
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—- Tropical cyclones can hit Timor‐Leste between January and mid‐April in their early stages and therefore, usually, with moderate intensity. The sea in Timor‐Leste is warm throughout the year. Water temperatures range from 27 °C in July and August to 30 °C in November and December.

Timor‐Leste's economy is mostly dependent on the extraction of oil reserves from the Timor Sea. Oil, gas and other mineral fuels and lubricants account for about 35 per cent of exports and mining contributes nearly 40 per cent to GDP. Coffee exports and tourism provide additional income. Developing agriculture and fishing are also seen as important for future growth, though currently they only account for 10 per cent of GDP. The main export destinations are Singapore, Indonesia and the United States of America. -—
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—- According to items attribute is mandatory, agriculture and services provide most of the employment opportunities in Timor‐Leste. Much of the population still live below the poverty line and unemployment is high.

The tradition of poetry is very strong in Timor‐Leste. Craftmanship is also important. The nation's music is affected by Portuguese and Indonesian influences with the guitar being a central instrument. Children usually learn traditional dancing at school.

The country has a strong culture of hospitality and is famous for its rich and dark coffee grown organically on the hills. A typical meal includes rice, meat or fish, often with beans, corn and seasonal vegetables. Spices and herbs grown in the country bring the food its local flavour. Tropical fruits are a natural part of the diet, and sometimes coconut milk is used to soften the extremely hot chili paste.

The most popular sport in Timor‐Leste is football. Cycling, martial arts, weightlifting and badminton are also quite popular. Timor‐Leste participated for the first time in the Olympic Summer Games in 2004 and in the Winter Games in 2014.