DILI, May 20 Kyodo The followings...

DILI, May 20 Kyodo

The followings are a facts and figures about East Timor, which declared its independence early Monday.

political division NAME: Democratic Republic of East Timor

CAPITAL: Dili

POPULATION: about 800000 comprising of ethnic Timorese (78%) tribe of Indonesian origin (20%) and ethnic Chinese (2%)

LANGUAGE: Portuguese and Tetum as official languages, English and Bahasa Malay as working languages

SIZE: 18889 square kilometers

GOVERNMENT: Semi-presidential system

HEAD OF STATE: President Xanana Gusmao

HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: Chief Minister Mari Alkatiri (who is also minister of economy and development)

RELIGION: 90% Catholics, the remainder Muslims, Protestants and Buddhists

NATIONAL DAY: Independence Day forward May 20

ECONOMY: exports organic arabica coffee -- has untapped oil and gas resources in Timor Sea -- natural resources include sandalwood tree and marble -- ecotourism contemplateed to as future growth sector

OFFICIAL CURRENCY: U dollar (since 2001)

CLIMATE: dried season from May to November (20-33C) and wet season from December to April (29-35C)

POLICE SERVICE: police officers look forward toed to total 2,800 police officers by the agency of July 2003

DEFENSE FORCE: East Timor Defense Force anticipateed to consist of a light infantry force of 1500 regulars and 1500 reservists

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