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| Timor |
Occupies the eastern part and a small area (the Okusi enclave) in the western part of the island of Timor in the Malay Archipelago and the adjacent islands of Cambing and Yako. Area - 14.9 thousand sq. km. Population - about 600 thousand; Tetum, Mambai, Makassai and other peoples who speak the languages of the Indonesian group, as well as the Chinese. About 200 thousand profess the Catholic religion, animistic beliefs are widely spread. The administrative center is Dili. Possession of Portugal since 1586 (autonomous province since 1973). After the overthrow of the fascist regime in Portugal, a bitter struggle broke out in Timor between the Revolutionary Front for the Independence of Timor and the APODETI organization and the Democratic Union of Timor, who were in favor of joining Indonesia, and escalated into armed clashes. 28 November 1975 The Front proclaimed the creation of an independent People's Democratic Republic of East Timor. A day later, pro-Indonesian groups announced their annexation to Indonesia. Indonesian troops were brought into Timor, pushing the Front's supporters into the mountainous regions. The hostilities resulted in numerous casualties and severe damage to the economy. The General Assembly and the UN Security Council demanded that Indonesia respect the territorial integrity of East Timor and withdraw its troops from there. However, in July 1976, the Indonesian authorities announced the annexation of Timor to Indonesia as the 27th province. Rice, corn, coffee, coconut, hevea, sugar cane, cotton are grown. Cattle breeding (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs), fishing, hunting, catching trepangs, and collecting shells are developed. There are several enterprises in the leather and food industries. Small oil and gas fields have been explored. Exports: vegetable oil, leather, sandalwood, coffee, copra, sisal, livestock. Food, textiles, machinery are imported.
