East Timor:
East Timor is the world's newest independent nation. In May, 2002, the people voted for independence leader Xanana Gusmao as president. It will be an uphill climb to bring prosperity to this poor country, but at least the decades-old political problems seem to be over. East Timor was a Portuguese colony, and after the Portuguese left, Indonesia claimed it as another province, prompting years and years of war between the Indonesian army and independence forces.
Only two and a half years before this democratic and fair election, 80 per cent of the East Timorese people voted for independence from Indonesia, causing pro-Indonesia
This fledgling country has had to literally build from the ground up, because the departing Indonesians and the militias burnt and destroyed everything they could.
The official language of East Timor is Portuguese, but schoolchildren are taught in Indonesian, English and Tetum, the indigenous language.
The East Timorese are looking to tourism to help build up the economy, and it looks safe to go there now. But don't expect a lot of infrastructure in the countryside.
This page last updated May 11, 2002.