Map of West and East Timor from Wikipedia.
Problem
West and East Timor. Which is which and why?
Answers
My friends and family have been hiking in East Timor this year. In the UK and Singapore, friends have been asking me, 'What's the difference between west and East Timor?'
I've looked at the answer to this question and sum up what seems to be the case.
The island was previously ruled by different people. West Timor was ruled by the Dutch like the rest of nearby Indonesia. East Timor was ruled by the Portuguese.
West Timor is called Timor Barat in Indonesian.
The people in East Timor (mostly Catholics) wanted independence. The rulers of Indonesia were afraid of East Timor becoming communist and causing an uprising against the rulers of Indonesia (mostly Muslim), so they invaded a few days after East Timor declared Independence.
Indonesia, I think of as being Muslim like Malaysia although the country is technically secular and you have to choose for one of the recognized religions. The Muslims form the majority of Indonesia.
East Timor is called Timor Leste in English and Portuguese and the second word in the name means East in Malay/Indonesian. It has been independent since 2002.
The major cities of towns in East Timor are Dili (which has a museum to Intependence and a monument to indepdence) and Baucau. Outdoorsy types like to go hiking. Bacau has a pousada (historic building turned into a hotel by the state to promote tourist interest in local history and local foods and encourage tourism). Because of the Portuguese history you can use your Portuguese language with older poeple, and enjoy Portuguese wines and food.
What To See In West Timor
Beaches, waterfalls, diving, caves, traditional villages. The traditional village houses are circular with thatch roofs having a central point, like a conical hat. For photos, see Tripadvisor.
Useful websites
To learn Portuguese and Indonesian
Duolingo.com
Safety
gov.uk/foreign-travel
http://www.timorleste.tl/destinations/municipalities/baucau/
Travel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Timor
http://www.osolemedia.com/easttimor/dili.html
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
West and East Timor. Which is which and why?
Answers
My friends and family have been hiking in East Timor this year. In the UK and Singapore, friends have been asking me, 'What's the difference between west and East Timor?'
I've looked at the answer to this question and sum up what seems to be the case.
The island was previously ruled by different people. West Timor was ruled by the Dutch like the rest of nearby Indonesia. East Timor was ruled by the Portuguese.
West Timor is called Timor Barat in Indonesian.
The people in East Timor (mostly Catholics) wanted independence. The rulers of Indonesia were afraid of East Timor becoming communist and causing an uprising against the rulers of Indonesia (mostly Muslim), so they invaded a few days after East Timor declared Independence.
Indonesia, I think of as being Muslim like Malaysia although the country is technically secular and you have to choose for one of the recognized religions. The Muslims form the majority of Indonesia.
East Timor is called Timor Leste in English and Portuguese and the second word in the name means East in Malay/Indonesian. It has been independent since 2002.
The major cities of towns in East Timor are Dili (which has a museum to Intependence and a monument to indepdence) and Baucau. Outdoorsy types like to go hiking. Bacau has a pousada (historic building turned into a hotel by the state to promote tourist interest in local history and local foods and encourage tourism). Because of the Portuguese history you can use your Portuguese language with older poeple, and enjoy Portuguese wines and food.
What To See In West Timor
Beaches, waterfalls, diving, caves, traditional villages. The traditional village houses are circular with thatch roofs having a central point, like a conical hat. For photos, see Tripadvisor.
Useful websites
To learn Portuguese and Indonesian
Duolingo.com
Safety
gov.uk/foreign-travel
http://www.timorleste.tl/destinations/municipalities/baucau/
Travel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Timor
http://www.osolemedia.com/easttimor/dili.html
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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