Timor-Leste — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Timor-Leste: capital Dili, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Timor-Leste is in Asia. Its capital is Dili.

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid with distinct wet and dry seasons

Mountainous interior with coastal lowlands

Timor-Leste is one of the youngest nations, gaining independence in 2002.

It is the only Asian country located entirely in the Southern Hemisphere's eastern half.

Timor-Leste's Atauro Island is considered one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.

1515: Portuguese colonize the island of Timor

1975: Indonesia invades after Portugal withdraws

1999: UN-supervised referendum votes for independence from Indonesia

2002: Timor-Leste officially becomes an independent nation

2006: Internal crisis leads to international peacekeeping intervention

2023: Xanana Gusmão returns as Prime Minister