Capital: Dili
Population: 738,000 (estimate)
Per capita GDP: $478
Economic growth: -40 percent 1999-2000; +18-20 percent in 2000-2001; expected to stablise at 6 percent per year in coming decade.
Population below poverty line: 41 percent (estimate)
Political system: Constitutional parliamentary democracy with president as head of state.
President: Jose 'Xanana' Gusmao
Chief Mnister: Mari Alkatiri
Religion: Majority Roman Catholic
Official languages: Portuguese, Tetum
Other languages: Indonesian, English
Average life expectancy: 57
Literacy level: Less than 50 percent
Major donors: Japan, Australia, United States, European Union.
Major investors: Singapore, Indonesia, Australia

(Sources: United Nations / East Timor Government; International Monetary Fund; World Bank)