Environment - current issues:
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
People ::Thailand
Population:
67,089,500 country comparison to the world: 20 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.8% (male 7,013,877/female 6,690,554)
15-64 years: 70.5% (male 23,000,156/female 23,519,298)
65 years and over: 8.7% (male 2,612,269/female 3,162,282) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 34 years
male: 33.2 years
female: 34.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.653% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Birth rate:
13.01 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Death rate:
6.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 106
Urbanization:
urban population: 33% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 113 male: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.02 years country comparison to the world: 88 male: 72.94 years
female: 77.21 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
610,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
30,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Thai (singular and plural)
adjective: Thai
Ethnic groups:
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions:
Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 94.9%
female: 90.5% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2009)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 76
Government ::Thailand
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand
local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai
local short form: Prathet Thai
former: Siam
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Bangkok
geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, AngThong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi,Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, KamphaengPhet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon(Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, MahaSarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi,Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket,Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, RoiEt, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, SamutSongkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla,Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, UbonRatchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence:
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday:
Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)
Constitution:
24 August 2007
Legal system:
based on civil law system with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946)
head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister TRAIRONG Suwannakhiri (since 18 January 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister limited to two four-year terms
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; members serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held by December 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5; following the PPP's dissolution in December 2008, most of the party's seats were assumed by its successor, the Phuea Thai Party
note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Justice, and Supreme Administrative Court; all judges are appointed by the king; the king's appointments to the Constitutional Courtare made upon the advice of the Senate; the nine Constitutional Court judges are drawn from the Supreme Court of Justice and Supreme Administrative Court as well as from among substantive experts in law and social sciences outside the judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party)[CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party)[ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; MotherlandParty (Phuea Phaendin Party) [CHANCHAI Chairungrueng]; Phuea ThaiParty (For Thais Party) or PTP [YONGYUTH Wichaidit]; Phumjai(Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [CHAWARAT Chanvirakun];Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam JaiThai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukun]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for DemocracyAgainst Dictatorship or UDD
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS(observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner),PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS,UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kittiphong Na RANONG
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY
embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
Flag description:
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism; blue stands for the monarchy
note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue and red colors reversed
National anthem:
name: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand)
lyrics/music: LUANG Saranuprapan/PHRA Jenduriyang
note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sansasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Economy ::Thailand
Economy - overview:
With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2008 - averaging more than 4% per year - as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. Thai exports - mostly machinery and electronic components, agricultural commodities, and jewelry - continue to drive the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 severely cut Thailand's exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.2%. In 2010, Thailand's economy expanded 7.6%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded from their depressed 2009 level. Antigovernment protests during March-May and the country's polarized political situation had - at most - a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence. Although tourism was hit hard during the protests, its quick recovery helped boost consumer confidence to new highs. Moreover, business and investor sentiment remained buoyant as Thailand's stock market grew almost 5% during the three-month period. The economy probably will continue to experience high grow well into 2011.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$580.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $539.3 billion (2009 est.)
$551.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$312.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 -2.2% (2009 est.)
2.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $8,100 (2009 est.)
$8,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.4%
industry: 45.6%
services: 44% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
38.7 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 42.4%
industry: 19.7%
services: 37.9% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 1.5% (2009)
Population below poverty line:
9.6% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 33.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43 (2006) country comparison to the world: 50 42 (2002)
Investment (gross fixed):
24.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Public debt:
42.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 44.9% of GDP (2009)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 -0.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 134 1.25% (31 December 2009)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.1% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 139 5.96% (31 December 2009)
Stock of narrow money:
$38 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 48 $34.26 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$354.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $309.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$336 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $292.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$138.2 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 34 $102.6 billion (31 December 2008)
$196 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries:
tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate:
14.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Electricity - production:
148.2 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - consumption:
134.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - exports:
846 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.313 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
380,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Oil - consumption:
356,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Oil - exports:
269,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Oil - imports:
1.695 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Oil - proved reserves:
430 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Natural gas - production:
28.76 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - consumption:
37.31 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Natural gas - imports:
8.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - proved reserves:
342 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Current account balance:
$12.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $21.86 billion (2009)
Exports:
$191.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $151.9 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances
Exports - partners:
US 10.9%, China 10.6%, Japan 10.3%, Hong Kong 6.2%, Australia 5.6%,Malaysia 5%, Singapore 4.97% (2009)
Imports:
$156.9 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $118 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels
Imports - partners:
Japan 18.7%, China 12.7%, Malaysia 6.4%, US 6.3%, UAE 5%, Singapore 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$176.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $138.4 billion (31 December 2009)
Debt - external:
$82.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $70.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$117.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $109.6 billion (31 December 2009)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$20.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $18.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
baht per US dollar - 31.663 (2010), 34.286 (2009), 33.37 (2008), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006)
Communications ::Thailand
Telephones - main lines in use:
7.024 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 27
Telephones - mobile cellular:
83.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 13
Telephone system:
general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok
domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly
international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media:
6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the networks are owned by the military, the other 4 are government-owned or controlled, leased to private enterprise, and are all required to broadcast government-produced news programs twice a day; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are available; radio frequencies have been allotted for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2008)
Internet country code:
.th
Internet hosts:
1.335 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 37
Internet users:
17.483 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 23
Transportation ::Thailand
Airports:
105 (2010) country comparison to the world: 55
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 64
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 41
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 27 (2010)
Heliports:
4 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,348 km; refined products 323 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,071 km country comparison to the world: 41 standard gauge: 29 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 4,042 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 27
Waterways:
4,000 km country comparison to the world: 27 note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 382 country comparison to the world: 27 by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 116, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 36, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 120, refrigerated cargo 27
foreign-owned: 15 (China 1, Hong Kong 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 3, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 6)
registered in other countries: 41 (Bahamas 4, Panama 6, Singapore 30, Tuvalu 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap Port, Si Racha
Military ::Thailand
Military branches:
Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (KongthapRuea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai AirForce (Kongthap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 17,650,648
females age 16-49: 17,762,077 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 13,247,646
females age 16-49: 14,166,227 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 535,884
female: 511,444 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Transnational Issues ::Thailand
Disputes - international:
separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Timor-Leste (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Timor-Leste
Background:
The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in April and June 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack and the majority of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the unsuccessful attacks the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability.
Geography ::Timor-Leste
Location:
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser SundaIslands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note -Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, theOecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island ofTimor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 14,874 sq km country comparison to the world: 159 land: 14,874 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 228 km
border countries: Indonesia 228 km
Coastline:
706 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Terrain:
mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
Natural resources:
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Land use:
arable land: 8.2%
permanent crops: 4.57%
other: 87.23% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,065 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones
Environment - current issues:
widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands
People ::Timor-Leste
Population:
1,154,625 country comparison to the world: 156 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.7% (male 199,237/female 192,900)
15-64 years: 61.9% (male 356,772/female 344,103)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 18,403/female 20,197) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.2 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 22.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.999% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Birth rate:
25.93 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Death rate:
5.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 105
Urbanization:
urban population: 27% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 39.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 68 male: 45.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 33.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.61 years country comparison to the world: 154 male: 65.23 years
female: 70.11 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.2 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese
Ethnic groups:
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005)
Languages:
Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English
note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 58.6%
male: NA
female: NA (2002)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years (2002)
Education expenditures:
7.1% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 20
Government ::Timor-Leste
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay)
conventional short form: Timor-Leste
local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Dili
geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro(Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (LosPalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno),Viqueque
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence:
28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Constitution:
20 May 2002 (effective date)
Legal system:
On 29 March 2009 the president promulgated the Timor-Leste penal code; UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place for civil codes but is to be replaced by civil codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNDERTIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to beappointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by SuperiorCouncil for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established,Court of Appeals is highest court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress forTimorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National DemocraticUnion of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA ConceicaoGAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Partyof Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of IndependentTimor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social DemocraticAssociation of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; SocialDemocratic Party or PSD [Zacarias Albano da COSTA]; Sons of theMountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Associationof Timorese Heroes)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Constancio da Conceicao PINTO
chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Judith FERGIN
embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili
mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
telephone: (670) 332-4684
Flag description:
red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star - pointing to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past; black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome; red stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light
National anthem:
name: "Patria" (Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Fransisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in an Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared
Economy ::Timor-Leste
Economy - overview:
In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$5.3 billion as of October 2009. The economy has been little impacted by the global financial crisis and continues to recover strongly from the mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest, which disrupted both private and public sector economic activity. The government in 2008 resettled tens of thousands of an estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs); most IDPs returned home by early 2009. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.004 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $2.782 billion (2009 est.)
$2.588 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$616 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 7.5% (2009 est.)
12.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $2,500 (2009 est.)
$2,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 32.2%
industry: 12.8%
services: 55% (2005)
Labor force:
414,200 (2007) country comparison to the world: 157
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 note: data are for rural areas, unemployment rises to more than 40% among urban youth
Population below poverty line:
42% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 31.3% (2001)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
38 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.17% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 13.11% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$102.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 180 $74.94 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of broad money:
$268.4 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 179 $192.7 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$127.1 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 $118.1 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla
Industries:
printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Industrial production growth rate:
8.5% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - production:
NA kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)