Anthropological evidence discloses three waves of immigrant ethnicities, beginning with peoples of the Vedo-Australoid type, similar to the Vedas of Ceylon, in the Southeast Coast of India. A second wave of Melanesian people, similar to those that can be found today in Papua New-Guinea, in Vanuatu and Saloman Islands, arrived around 3,000B.C., bringing with them new languages (Fataluco, Macacai and Bunac). The existing Velo-Astraloid residents withdrew to the interior mountainous regions where they established relatively isolated and self-sufficient communities. Little intermixing took place between the two ethic groups, contributing to the rich melting pot of languages and cultures in ancient Timor, that continue through to the present day.

A third wave of Proto-Malay from southern China and northern IndoChina arrived around 2,500B.C.

The Portuguese reached the coast of Timor on what is now the enclave of Oecussi around 1515. They made huge profits from exports of sandalwood but eventually overexploited this resource. As sandalwood became almost extinct the Portuguese in 1815 introduced coffee plantations, along with sugar cane and cotton. Timor-Leste remained largely underdeveloped with an economy based on barter.

Missionaries soon followed, spreading the Catholic faith throughout the island; today Catholicism remains the dominant religion. The colonists were mostly concerned with trading and for the most part concentrated their presence around the coastal areas. As a result even after the first high schools were established in the 18th century in Oecussi and Manatuto, the lifestyle, traditional animist beliefs and heritage of the numerous ethnic groups in Timor-Leste were left relatively unchanged well into the 20th century.

Approximately 50,000 Timorese had lost their lives as a result of Japanese occupation and the efforts of the Timorese to resist the invaders and protect Australia. Several thousand Timorese had died fighting alongside the Allies. People were also forced to give food to the Japanese, so when the Japanese finally surrendered the scene in Timor was one of human misery and devastation.

Portugal governed Timor-Leste with a combination of direct and indirect rule, managing the population as a whole through the traditional power structures rather than by using colonial civil servants. This left traditional Timorese society almost untouched.

In 1974, however, the 'transition to democracy' in Portugal had a sudden impact on all its colonies. The political climate in Portugal shifted to the left and for the first time the Timorese were given freedom to form their own political parties.

On August 11, 1975, the more conservative Timorese parties launched a coup in an attempt to seize power from the Portuguese and prevent the ascendancy of the left-wing Frente Revolucionária do Timor Leste Independente (Fretilin). Clashes between the two main Timorese contenders escalated into violence resulting in more than 2,000 deaths. On November 28, 1975, Fretilin declared Timor-Leste as the República Democrática de Timor Leste (RDTL). RDTL was recognized just by a few countries, mainly former Portuguese colonies, and was short-lived. Ten days later on December 7 1975 Indonesian troops invaded.

Unlike the Portuguese the Indonesians favoured strong, direct rule, which was never accepted by the Timorese people who were determined to preserve their culture and national identity.

In 1991, the Indonesian military gave permission for a parliamentary delegation from Portugal. The visit was cancelled at the last minute. Immediately, the Indonesian military went on the attack. A young student, Sebastião Gomes, was killed and many others were arrested. On November 12, 1991 thousands of Timorese marched towards the Santa Cruz cemetery to mourn for Sebastião Gomes. The Indonesian Army opened fire and killed more than 200 people. The 'Santa Cruz Massacre' marked a turning point in the brutal occupation of Timor-Leste as the shocking images were beamed around the world. Individuals and organizations started to put increasing pressure on their governments and on international organizations on behalf of Timor-Leste. The imprisonment of resistance leader Xanana Gusmão in 1992 also put the spotlight on the human rights situation.

Indonesia found itself in an increasingly difficult position which culminated in October 1996 when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to two Timorese leaders, Bishop Ximenes Belo and José Ramos Horta, adding to the growing assertiveness of the independence movement. Then in 1997 and 1998, Soeharto's New Order was shaken by a severe economic crisis, leading to widespread demands for political change. Soeharto was forced to resign and was replaced by his vice-president, Dr. Habibie. President Habibie was unwilling to maintain the 'burden' of such an expensive province and in January 1999 offered Timor-Leste 'wide-ranging autonomy'. Should the Timorese reject this then Indonesia would be prepared to 'let Timor-Leste go'. An agreement on a popular consultation in Timor-Leste was finally reached in May 1999 under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan

As a result, one-third of the population were forced to resettle in refugee camps in West Timor and neighbouring islands. Another one-third looked for refuge in the mountains of Timor-Leste. Between 1,000 and 2,000 people are reported to have died in the violence. The UN Security Council authorized a multinational force (INTERFET) under the unified command structure of a member state, Australia, to restore peace and security. The UN also launched a large-scale humanitarian operation including food supplies and other basic services.

On October 25 1999, the UN Security Council established the United Nations Transitional Administration in Timor-Leste (UNTAET) as an integrated, multidimensional peacekeeping operation responsible for the administration of Timor-Leste during its transition to independence.

At midnight on May 19th, the new flag of Timor-Leste was raised, the new national anthem was sung and Timor-Leste's long fight for freedom was finally over.

Today's Timor-Leste portrays a country beginning its first steps of freedom, peace, safety and true democracy. Timor-Leste's rich and diverse community reflects its varied and distinct historical influences whilst offering a warm and friendly welcome to all, now that the country has found peace at last. Timor-Leste is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the safest, if not the safest, destination in Southeast Asia.