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The Portuguese colony of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of East Timor. A campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. During 1999-2001, anti-independence militias - supported by Indonesia - conducted indiscriminate violence. On 20 May 2002, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent state and the world's newest democracy.
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Country
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Surface Area: 15,018 square Km
Population: 1,019,252 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Southeastern Asia
Capital City: Dili
Head of State: Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO
Prime Minister: Mari Bin Amude ALKATIRI
Independent since: 28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence from Portugal), 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Flag (image): 
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