Ainaro is one of 13 administrative districts of East Timor.
Ainaro district is in the southwest of the country. It boasts many streams, fertile land and rugged terrain, including East Timor’s highest peak, Mount Ramelau. Historically, Ainaro played an important role during the brutal Indonesian occupation of East Timor, providing shelter for the mountain-based guerrilla resistance army. Former guerrilla leader and current President Xanana Gusmão spent many years directing the resistance from Ainaro.
Ainaro sub-district & town
Ainaro sub-district has a population of approximately 12,000 people.
The small mountain town of Ainaro, the district capital, lies along with the villages of Soro, Maununo, Cassa, Suro Craic, Manutassi, and Mau-Ulo in the sub-district.
The town's main resources are its delicious organic coffee and aromatic sandalwood trees. It is a diverse community, where Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims are neighbors .
Destruction of Ainaro
Ainaro was also home to a large contingent of Indonesian military (TNI) backed militias in the months leading up to the August 30th, 1999 referendum on independence. As a result it suffered near-total devastation during the TNI orchestrated scorched earth operation with more than 95 percent of its buildings destroyed.
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