Geographical Profile

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Timor is the Malay word for "east". The island of Timor is part of the Malay archipelago and the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the north of the mountainous island are the Ombai Strait and Wetar Strait, to the south the Timor Sea separates the island from Australia, while to the west lies the Indonesian Province of East Nusa Tenggara. The highest point of East Timor is Mount Tatamailau at 2,963 m.

The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, characterised by distinct rainy and dry seasons. The capital, largest city and main port is Dili, and the second-largest city is the eastern town of Baucau. Dili has the only functioning international airport, though there is an airstrip in Baucau used for domestic flights.

Location
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - East Timor includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Ocussi-Ambeno region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Atauro and Jaco.

Geographic coordinates
8°50′S 125°55′E

Map references
Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 15,007 km²
Land: NA km²
Water: NA km²

Land boundaries
Total: 228 km

Border countries: Indonesia 228 km

Coastline
706 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: NA nm
Extended fishing zone: NA nm
Territorial sea: NA nm
Exclusive fishing zone: NA nm
Continental shelf: NA nm
Exclusive economic zone: NA 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

Irrigated land
1,065 sq km (est.)

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

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East Timor Tourism