GROUP 3

9-HERTZ
GEOGRAPHY OF EAST TIMOR
Located in Southeast Asia, the island of Timor is part of the Maritime Southeast
Asia, and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To the north of the
island are the Ombai Strait, Wetar Strait, and the greater Banda Sea. The Timor
Sea separates

the

island

from Australia to

the

south,

and

the Indonesian

Province of East Nusa Tenggara lies to East Timor's west.

Much of the country is mountainous, and its highest is Tatamailau (also known as
Mount Ramelau) at 2,963 metres (9,721 ft). The climate is tropical and generally hot and
humid. It is 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. East Timor
lies between latitudes 8 and 10S, and longitudes 124 and 128E.
The easternmost area of East Timor consists of the Paitchau Range and the
Lake Ira Lalaro area, which contains the county's first conservation area, the Nino Konis
Santana National Park. It contains the last remaining tropical dry forested area within the
country. It hosts a number of unique plant and animal species and is sparsely populated.
The northern coast is characterised by a number of coral reef systems that have been
determined to be at risk.
Location
Southeast Asia (or Oceania depending on definitions),[a] 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
850S 12555E
Map references
Southeast Asia, Wallacea
Area

Total: 14,874 km

Land: 14,874 km

Water: 0 km

Land boundaries

Total: 228 km (142 mi)

Border countries: Indonesia (228 km or 142 mi)

Coastline
706 km (439 mi)
Maritime claims

Contiguous zone: 24 nmi

Extended fishing zone: NA nmi

Territorial sea: 12 nmi

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nmi

Continental shelf: NA nmi

Exclusive economic zone: NA nmi

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: Tatamailau (2,963 m or 9,721 ft)

Natural resources
Gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Land use

Arable land: 10.09%

Permanent crops: 4.03%

Other: 85.88% (2011)

Irrigated land
346.5 km2 (134 sq mi) (2003)
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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification
Geography - note
'Timor' is a Portuguese derivation of 'Timur' Malay word for "Orient"; the island of
Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the
Lesser Sunda Islands.
East Timor is the only Asian nation to lie entirely within the Southern
Hemisphere.