Country Guide

This small country comprises the largely mountainous eastern half of the island of Timor in the Malay Archipelago together with two islands, Atauro and Jaco, and an enclave around Ocusse on the northwest coast.

It gained independence in 2002, and was part of Indonesia until 1999. As such East Timor has a similar climate to that described in the Indonesia entry.

It is occasionally affected by strong winds associated with tropical cyclones. The average monthly temperatures remain high throughout the year, and in low-lying regions are similar to those in the table for Ujung Padang in Indonesia.

However, the land rises to 2,960 m/9,711 ft at its highest point, and the average temperatures are lower with increased elevation.