South East Asian Trips

Among the Tourist Destinations in East Timor, Turiscai serves as the capital of the East Timorese sub-districts of the Manufahi district. Turiscai in East Timor is strategically located in the island interior in air line 21 miles south-east of the provincial capital of Dili. Turiscai is situated at a distance of 31 Km north-east of seed at an altitude of 1,431 meters above the sea level.

Turiscai has about 2,240 inhabitants according to the 2006 Census. The first president of East Timor, Francisco Xavier do Amaral was born in 1937 in Turiscai.

In Turiscai at East Timor, the major languages that are spoken are Tetum and Portuguese. In addition, Indonesian is widely used as a lingua franca in the region. Most of the inhabitants of the area are Roman Catholics. To the east of Turiscai, there is a small group which speaks Isni.

Turiscai falls under the Manufahi district. The Manufahi district is divided into 11 sucos that are Aitenua or Aitemua, Bere Mana, Fatukalo or Fatucalo, Kaimauk or Caimauc, Foholau, Lesuata, Liurai, Manu Mera, Matorek or Matorec, Mindelo and Orana.

Turiscai was one of the traditional cities of Timor. The city was governed by a Liurai. Every year, large numbers of travelers visit Turiscai in East Timor to see and explore its rich historical and cultural heritage. During the rebellion of Manufahi, Turiscai was attacked and taken under control by the Portuguese.

Turiscai previously belonged to the district of Ainaro and connected Manufahi district to Ainaro. The district of Manufahi is one of the most popular and widely visited districts of East Timor. The district has a population of more than 44,235 and an area of 1,325 square Km. The capital of the Manufahi district is Same.

The sub-districts of Manufahi are Alas, Fatuberliu, Same and Turiscai. During the Indonesian occupation the sub-district Hatudo was split off from the district and joined to Ainaro, and the sub-district Turiscai, which was previously a part of Ainaro, was moved to Manufahi.

Manufahi lies on the south coast of East Timor, on the spectacular Timor Sea. It borders the district Manatuto to the east, Ainaro to the west and Aileu to the north. The official languages of Turiscai in East Timor are Tetum and Portuguese.