East Timor
On 20 May 2002, East Timor (or Timor Lorosa'e - the Tetum name for the area) became the world's newest country. This momentous and long-awaited event occurred following East Timor's first presidential elections, held in April 2002, with independence hero Xanana Gusmao winning by a landslide. Turnout was estimated at 86 percent of registered voters.

Full country name: East Timor
Area: 153,870 sq km (11,880 sq mi)
Population: 859,700 (1996)
People: Malay and Papuan, including 33% Tetum, 12% Mambai, 8% Kemak, 10% Makasai, 8% Galoli, 8% Tokodede.
Language: Portuguese, Tetum and Bahasa Indonesian
Religion: 91.4% Roman Catholic, 2.6% Protestant, 1.7% Muslim, 0.3% Hindu, 0.1% Buddhist
Government: Transitional government overseen by UNTAET
UN Chief in East Timor: Sergio Vieira de Mello
President: Jose Alexandre (Xanana) Gusmão
Prime Minister: Mari Alkatari

Major industries: Coffee, rice, maize, oil and natural gas, logging, fisheries, spices, coconuts, cacao
Major trading partners: Australia, Portugal