Timor-Leste

In brief

Timor-Leste is a country in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Dili. With 1.4 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 151st in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 14,874 km². It shares land borders with Indonesia.

GDP per capita stands at $1,341 (2025), 165th in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 67.9 years (2024). 29% of the population lives in cities.

History of Timor-Leste

A Portuguese colony for more than four centuries, East Timor declared independence on 28 November 1975, but was invaded a few days later by Indonesia, which annexed it. The occupation killed more than 100,000 people. In 1996 José Ramos-Horta and Bishop Carlos Belo received the Nobel Peace Prize. After a 1999 referendum in which nearly 80% of voters chose independence, followed by violence, the UN administered the territory. East Timor became independent on 20 May 2002, the first new state of the 21st century.

Geography of Timor-Leste

The country covers the eastern half of the island of Timor, plus the enclave of Oecusse on the north coast of the Indonesian half, and a few islands. It is very mountainous; Mount Ramelau (2,986 m) is the highest point. Coffee and oil from the Timor Sea are its main resources.

Map of Timor-Leste

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Flag of Timor-Leste

The flag of Timor-Leste is red, yellow and black. Its official proportions are 1:2 (height to width).

• Red75%
• Black15%
• Yellow8%
• White2%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Red, with a black triangle over a yellow triangle and a white star. Red evokes the struggle for liberation, yellow the traces of colonialism, black the obscurantism to be overcome; the star, the light guiding towards peace.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Timor-Leste” and “Flag of Timor-Leste”.

See also: flags with a star.

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Fact file

Economy and society