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East Timor, also known as Timor Leste, includes the eastern half of the island of Timor and the small islands of Atauro and Jaco. It is located 640 km. (400 mi) northwest of Australia.
East Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, and became independent in late 1975, but was later the same year invaded and occupied by Indonesia. In 1999 Indonesia withdrew from the territory, and in 2002 East Timor became a sovereign state. East Timor continues to face sporadic internal ethnic and political tension and related violence may occur. Visitors are therefore advised to exercise a high degree of caution in East Timor of the uncertain security situation and the possibility of civil unrest.
East Timor is a small country of 15,540 sq. km. (5,400 sq. mi.), the total population is around 1 million. Dili is capital and the largest city in East Timor. Dili is a pleasant, laid-back little town with a number of good restaurants and hotels. Dili has a distinct Portuguese flavour not only in its buildings, but also in its cuisine. There are nice beaches all around the capital, and more further away. There are at least 25 hotels in Dili, ranging from cheap and basic to less cheap and basic. One of Dili's two luxury hotels is an anchored cruise ship.
Scuba diving and whale and dolphin watching are East Timor's tourist attractions, in addition to the country's beaches. The northern coast features white sand beaches, while the southern coast is rocky with occasional black sand beaches. There are elaborate intact coral reefs, populated by over 1,000 aquatic species. East Timor's colonial towns and rugged mountains are also popular with visitors.
East Timor can be reached by flights from Darwin, Australia and Bali (Denpasar), Indonesia and by some charter flights from Singapore. Flights are not scheduled every day so check out the schedules when making travel plans. The main international airport in East Timor is at Dili.
You do not need to obtain a visa prior to arriving in East Timor. An entry visa (of up to 30 days duration) will be issued to valid passport holders on arrival based on the purpose and period of stay stated by the applicant at the time of entry. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the intended date of departure. Visa and other entry and exit conditions change regularly, so contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of East Timor for the most up-to-date information.
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