Dili facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dili Díli
Capital city
Government Palace of Dili Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Dili National Parliament Building Chinese Commercial Association building Cristo Rei of Dili Casa Europa Municipal Market of Dili
Dili Location in East Timor Show map of East Timor Dili Location in Southeast Asia Show map of Southeast Asia Dili Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	East Timor
District	Dili
Capital of Portuguese Timor	1769
Area
• Capital city	178.62 km2 (68.97 sq mi)
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Population  (2023)
• Capital city	277,488
• Density	1,553.51/km2 (4,023.57/sq mi)
• Metro	324,296
Time zone	TLT
Website	dili.go.tl

Dili (in Portuguese and Tetum: Díli) is the capital and largest city of East Timor. It is located on the northern coast of the island of Timor. The city sits on a flat area surrounded by mountains. Dili has a tropical climate with clear wet and dry seasons.

Since 1769, Dili has been the main economic center and port for what is now East Timor. It was the capital of Portuguese Timor back then. Today, it is also the capital of the Dili Municipality. This area includes both the city and some nearby rural parts. Dili's population is growing and is quite young, with many people of working age. While Tetum is the local language, many people from other parts of the country also live here.

The first settlement was in the old eastern part of the city. Portuguese rule lasted for centuries, but it was interrupted during World War II. Dili became a battleground between Allied and Japanese forces. After the war, the damaged city went back to Portuguese control. In 1975, a civil war broke out between Timorese groups. This led to a declaration of independence, followed by an invasion by Indonesia.

During Indonesian rule, the city's buildings and roads were improved. Important landmarks like the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Cristo Rei of Dili were built then. The city grew, and its population reached over 100,000 people.

People resisted Indonesian rule, and a sad event called the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili brought international attention. This led to a vote for independence in 1999. After the vote, there was a period of trouble, and much of the city's buildings were destroyed. Many people had to leave their homes. The United Nations then took over for a while and helped rebuild the city. Dili became the capital of an independent East Timor in 2002.

In 2006, another period of trouble caused more damage and forced people to move. In 2009, the government started a "City of Peace" plan to help calm things down. As the city has grown, it has spread out along the coast to the east and west.

Dili's buildings and services are still being improved. It was the first place in East Timor to have electricity 24 hours a day. The city also has better education levels than the rest of the country, and its universities are located here. An international port and airport are within the city limits. Most jobs are in services and government. To boost the economy, the government is working on tourism, focusing on culture, nature, and history.

History of Dili

Dili has always been very important in the history of East Timor. However, old records about Timor, especially before the 1700s, are hard to find. The city's difficult past has meant that a lot of information has been lost. Archives in Dili were destroyed several times throughout history.

Early Portuguese Settlement

The island of Timor might have been known for its sandalwood as early as the 1400s. The first time Portuguese ships visited the island was in 1516. They returned with sandalwood. By the 1520s, regular trade was happening. In the late 1500s, Portuguese officials started to be appointed to nearby islands, showing more interest in Timor.

The Netherlands began to compete for control of the island in 1613. In 1629, a rebellion forced the Portuguese off the island for three years. In 1641, some kings in Timor became Catholic and sought Portuguese protection. This added a political side to the Portuguese presence, which had mostly been about trade before. Timor got its first dedicated governor in 1702, who lived in Lifau. This showed how important Timor was becoming. In 1749, Dutch forces took control of large parts of the island.

In 1769, the Portuguese governor moved the capital from Lifau to Dili. This was because Lifau was becoming too influenced by powerful local families. Dili was chosen because of its good location. The governor used an existing fort and, with help from a local leader, started building a new settlement. The area around Dili was wet and good for growing rice. A wall was built to separate the city from the wetlands. The first settlement had three groups of people: mainly Portuguese, mixed-race people and locals from other Portuguese colonies, and soldiers from another kingdom.

From 1788 to 1790, a civil war happened between the governor in Dili and another official. A new governor arrived and solved the problem. In 1818, a permanent military force was created to respond to Dutch actions. Some Europeans settled in Lahane, south of the city. Major construction happened under Governor José Maria Marques, who arrived in 1834. He rebuilt the settlement with a grid pattern. The city expanded along the coast and southwards as wetlands were drained. A road was built to Lahane and Dare. The city became centered around its port, with trade, church, military, and government buildings nearby.

In 1844, Timor became a new Portuguese province. When the English explorer Alfred Russel Wallace visited in the 1860s, he described the governor's house as a "low whitewashed cottage." He said other buildings were made of mud and thatch. Swamps and mudflats surrounded the town. More permanent buildings were built in the late 1800s. A new church was built in 1877.

In 1861, a revolt isolated the city, but the Portuguese and their Timorese allies defeated it. In 1863, Dili was declared a city. East Timor became directly under the government in Lisbon. An 1887 mutiny in Dili led to the death of the governor. The territory was finally separated from Macau in 1896 and became a full province in 1909. Another important revolt happened after the 1910 revolution in Portugal. The new government changed the status of its overseas provinces to colonies. A civil government was set up in 1913.

Permanent buildings in Portuguese style continued to be built into the 1900s. A new town hall was built from 1912 to 1915. The main church was torn down in 1933, and a new cathedral opened in its place in 1937. This cathedral was later destroyed by Allied bombing in World War II. Four different living areas grew around the city center. Bidau was the largest. Colmera became a business area with many Muslim traders. The Motael Church began to be built in 1901. In 1940, Dili became part of the Dili municipality, the first one created.

Destruction, Reconstruction, and Indonesian Rule

During World War II, Portugal and its colonies stayed neutral. However, the Allies saw East Timor as a possible target for Japanese invasion. In 1941, Australian and Dutch troops were sent to Dili, even though Portugal objected. In response, the Japanese invaded Dili. The city had been mostly empty before the invasion. Allied forces moved further into the island. The Japanese left the Portuguese governor in charge in name only, but they took over the administration. Much of Dili was destroyed during the war by the Japanese invasion and later Allied bombings. Japanese forces on Timor surrendered to Australian forces at the end of the war.

After World War II, Dili covered what is now the old core of the city. After initial rebuilding, a city plan was made in 1951. This plan included urban layout, roads, and building rules. It imagined separate neighborhoods for different groups of people. This plan was not fully finished, and the city remained underdeveloped.

A 1950 census found that Dili had about 6,000 people. By 1970, the city population reached around 17,000. The city did not spread far beyond the port area. Its population did not go over 30,000 before 1975.

In 1974, the Carnation Revolution in Portugal brought quick changes to East Timor. New political parties formed, aiming for independence. On August 11, 1975, one party, the UDT, started a coup. On August 20, the Fretilin party took control of the city. The last Portuguese governor left Dili on August 26. On November 28, Fretilin declared independence in Dili. On December 7, Indonesia sent paratroopers and forces to Dili as part of an invasion. Many people fled the city.

This invasion brought the territory under Indonesian rule. In 1976, Indonesia made East Timor its 27th province. Despite efforts to limit people moving from rural areas to the city, Dili's population kept growing. It reached 80,000 people in 1985 and over 100,000 in 1999. The city also became a place for people escaping conflict in rural areas. Indonesia improved the city's buildings and roads. Structures like the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the Integration Statue, and the Cristo Rei of Dili were built during this time. By the 1990s, the city had spread out, taking up much of the flat land.

In the 1980s, young people in the city started to resist Indonesian rule more. A visit by Pope John Paul II in 1989 was interrupted by independence activists. On November 12, 1991, Indonesian forces were filmed shooting at a funeral procession. This event, known as the Santa Cruz massacre, led to global criticism of Indonesia's rule. It increased pressure for East Timor to decide its own future.

The 1997 Asian financial crisis and a drought caused severe food shortages. This crisis also led to the resignation of Indonesian President Suharto. His successor, B. J. Habibie, soon approved a vote on East Timorese independence. Violence from pro-Indonesian groups happened across the country before the vote. In August 1999, East Timor voted for independence.

The vote led to a time of extreme violence. Pro-Indonesian groups caused much damage. On September 4, when the result was announced, Indonesian police started to leave Dili. Violence continued for several days, destroying many buildings and homes. Many people became refugees. International pressure grew for a peacekeeping force. Indonesia agreed on September 12. The Australian-led International Force East Timor arrived on September 20.

Growth Under UN Rule and Independence

Dili continued to grow under UN rule. Many people moved from rural areas to the city. Houses left empty by Indonesians in 1999 were taken over by people who needed homes. Most people moving into the city during this time came from eastern areas of the country. This growth, along with a weak economy, led to more poverty and unemployment in the city, especially among young people.

By 2004, Dili's population reached 173,541 people. Unemployment was high, especially for young men. In 2005, a new city plan was developed. Food shortages happened often in the early years of independence. From 1990 to 2014, farming land around Dili decreased by about 40%. It was replaced by gardening and fish farming, and by urban areas. Wetlands also decreased as they were drained and built upon.

By 2006, Dili produced half of the country's non-oil economy. It also received two-thirds of government spending. However, economic benefits were not shared equally. After 1999, Indonesian subsidies for food ended, and prices went up quickly. Under UN rule, the use of the US dollar made prices even higher. By 2006, Dili had very high living costs compared to other Asian cities. The city had many youth groups, some involved in informal jobs. These groups were often linked to former fighters and politicians.

In April 2006, disagreements within the military led to street violence in Dili. Disputes over housing also caused property destruction. Most of the 150,000 people who had to leave their homes were from Dili. About half of the city's residents were displaced. Foreign military help was needed to bring back order.

A National Recovery Strategy was put in place after the 2007 election to help people return. By 2009, most displaced people had returned to the city. The camps were officially closed. However, some community tensions remained. Large-scale violence did not return. Mediation teams helped people resettle in their old homes.

In May 2009, the "Dili City of Peace" campaign was launched. This plan aimed to build unity and prevent violence. It included talks, a cycling tour, a marathon, and tree planting. The project focused on Dili because its influence spreads across the country. Other programs helped with skills, youth, and women's empowerment. Some local communities created their own rules to reduce violence.

By 2010, the city's population reached 234,026 people. In 2018, it was 281,000. During COVID-19 restrictions, the city was hit by the worst flood in 50 years in April 2021.

Geography of Dili

Dili is on the northern coast of the island of Timor. This island is part of the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands. The Ombai Strait of the Savu Sea is offshore. To the south, the central mountain range runs through Timor. These mountains extend north to the coast on the west and east sides of the city. The ground is mostly limestone and marine clay.

The city is located around 8°35′S, 125°36′E. Dili is mostly within the larger Dili Municipality. This municipality used to include Atauro Island, but Atauro became a separate municipality in 2022. The municipalities next to Dili are Aileu, Liquiçá, and Manatuto. The Dili municipality has 31 local areas called sucos, which are divided into 241 smaller areas called aldeias. The city area of Dili spreads across four of the Dili Municipality's Administrative Posts: Cristo Rei, Dom Aleixo, Nain Feto, and Vera Cruz.

The main city is in a flat lowland area, mostly between 0 and 60 meters high. This area includes a alluvial plain, and many beaches are along the coast. The distance between the sea and the mountains is only about 4 kilometers at its widest. The surrounding mountains near the city are very steep. On either side of the city center, mountain ridges extend to the coast. This causes urban development to spread onto flat land on the other sides of these ridges.

The Comoro River flows through the western side of the city. The Bemorl and Benmauc Rivers join together in the East. The Maloa river is between these. The Comoro is the largest river. The water level in these rivers changes a lot between the wet and dry seasons. Parts of the city face risks from drought and flooding, which are related to climate change. Small floods happen in some houses a few times each year. Reports of land sinking are found throughout the city. The Maloa river floods most often. Landslides have caused damage and loss of life before. The area also faces earthquake and tsunami risks, but no major events have happened. Air pollution is becoming a bigger problem, caused by forest fires, wood cooking, and vehicles.

Ecology of Dili

The land around Dili naturally has dry deciduous forests. Common trees include Sterculia foetida and Eucalyptus alba. Palm and acacia trees are also found. Eucalyptus trees are often used for firewood. Trees in urban areas include Alstonia scholaris and various fruit trees. Forests around the city have been damaged by cutting trees for building and firewood. The government aims to replant these areas. Large animals in these forests include monkeys.

Mangrove trees are found along the coast. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and intertidal mudflats are also present. The coral reefs near Dili seem protected from rising sea temperatures. However, human activities cause some damage. The seagrass beds support dugongs and sea turtles. Dolphins and whales are found offshore.

There are three protected nature areas in Dili: Behau, Cristo Rei Protected Area, and Tasitolu. The Cristo Rei Protected Area is on the mountains between central Dili and Hera. The Tasitolu area is near the border of the Dili and Liquiçá municipalities. It includes land and coastal waters. It is being developed as a recreation and holy site. The large Behau protected area covers much of the sea off eastern Dili. BirdLife International has identified Cristo Rei Protected Area and Tastitolu as important bird areas.

Climate in Dili

Dili has a dry tropical savanna climate. A rainy season lasts from November to April, and a dry season from May to October. Rainfall is highest in December and lowest in August. The average yearly rainfall is about 902 mm, but it changes a lot each year.

Average temperatures are around 26 to 28°C. This changes by about 10 to 14°C throughout the day. Minimum temperatures are around 20°C, and maximums are over 33°C. Temperature changes are bigger during the dry season. Climate change is changing weather patterns and may make extreme weather events worse. The highest temperature recorded in Dili up to 2013 was 36°C in November 2011. The lowest was 14°C in August 2013.

Buildings and Monuments in Dili

The old part of the city is in the eastern half. The first Portuguese settlement was built in a grid pattern along the shore. The city has grown along this east-west line. The older parts of Dili are very crowded, with little empty land. The western part of the city has the airport and has seen the most recent growth. Most buildings were destroyed in 1999, including 68,000 homes. After rebuilding, most houses now have concrete or brick walls.

Land ownership is still complicated because of the 2006 crisis. There are disagreements between people who say their land was taken and the government. Creating a formal property system is an important goal.

Important government buildings are near the Port of Dili. The edges of the city are newer and grew without much planning. The central area has most government buildings and many old buildings made of stone. This area still has many buildings that look like Portuguese architecture. East of the government area is the old Chinese area, which still has Chinese-style buildings.

Portuguese-era buildings are common in some older areas, often along the main road. The main government complex is by the sea. The Government Palace has three buildings connected by an archway. Another old building is the former Market Hall.

The government has identified many historic buildings, especially in the old quarter. New buildings are being built for cultural places. The Museum and Cultural Centre of Timor-Leste will hold the country's cultural items. The National Library of East Timor is meant to be both a library and a national archive.

Famous churches include the Motael Church, the oldest in the country. It became linked with resistance against Indonesian rule. The Immaculate Conception Cathedral was built to be the largest church in Southeast Asia. The Cristo Rei of Dili is a 27-meter tall statue of Jesus on a globe. It is at the end of the eastern Fatucama peninsula. It is reached by a path with over 500 steps. It was a gift from Indonesia during its rule. Its height shows that East Timor was Indonesia's 27th province when it was built in 1996.

The Integration Monument celebrates Indonesia's takeover in 1976. It shows an East Timorese warrior breaking chains. This was meant to link Timorese identity with Indonesian rule. The monument has not been taken down. Instead, it is now seen as representing the fight against all foreign rule.

The National Stadium has two seating areas and grass banks for other viewers. It can hold about 9,000 people. It is often used for association football, the most popular sport. Sometimes, the national team has to play home games in other countries because of stadium issues. In the past, it has been used to host refugees and give out aid.

Administration in Dili

Dili is the main administrative center for the Dili Municipality. It is both the municipal and national capital. The municipality has an elected mayor and council. East Timor's municipalities are divided into administrative posts, and these are divided into sucos. The central city of Dili is spread across four of the six administrative posts in Dili municipality: Cristo Rei, Dom Aleixo, Nain Feto, and Vera Cruz.

Each suco has a leader called a chefe. In Dili, these leaders have less power over community land than in other places. However, because they are elected, they have more authority in other areas. Each suco also has a main office. City and national government buildings are mostly in the city center. Sucos, administrative posts, and municipalities all have Disaster Management Committees. These committees plan for disasters, raise public awareness, and respond to emergencies. The borders of sucos and the smaller aldeias within them are often unclear. This is due to past displacements and local customs.

Land registration is hard because of the city's difficult history. Legal ownership is often not clear. It is believed that land records from 1999 were taken from Dili to Indonesia. The new government tried to set up a rent system, charging a small fee for people living on state property. However, many could not pay this fee. In 2003, the government made a law that all previous state property and abandoned properties belonged to the state. It also created a system for people to register land based on who was living there. Residents can claim land if no one else objects. The 2006 crisis stopped efforts to collect rent. Evictions from state property are rare. A survey of land began in 2008. As of 2014, 70% of Dili's land had been surveyed, but this information is not public. Most people in the city claim ownership of their homes. Land value is often unclear.

The sucos within the four administrative posts in the Dili Municipality are:

Cristo Rei

• Balibar
• Becora
• Bidau Santana
• Camea
• Culu Hun
• Hera
• Meti Aut

Dom Aleixo

• Bairropite
• Comoro
• Fatuhada
• Kampung Alor

Nain Feto

• Acadiru Hun
• Bemori
• Bidau Lecidere
• Gricenfor
• Lahane Oriental
• Santa Cruz

Vera Cruz

• Caicoli
• Colmera
• Dare
• Lahane Ocidental
• Mascarenhas
• Motael
• Vila Verde

Economy in Dili

The economy in Dili is much better than in the rest of the country. Most of the wealth is in Dili. Almost all of Dili's local areas have high living standards and good access to public services. The Dili district has a much higher living standard than any other part of the country. While poverty rates in the municipality vary, every area within the city itself has high living standards. More than half of the people in the capital are relatively wealthy, compared to a small percentage in rural areas.

In 2010, the service sector employed 44% of working people. Government jobs provided about 25% of all jobs. The working-age population grew by almost 50% from 2004 to 2010. Unemployment went down from 26.9% to 17.4%. However, youth unemployment in the municipality was still high at 58% in 2007. The capital attracts younger and educated people from other parts of the country.

The city is part of the government's "Northern Regional Development Corridor." This area is planned for developing the service sector. Dili is also part of the central tourism zone. Historical sites are promoted, as well as eco-tourism. Whale watching is possible off the coast, and there are many scuba diving sites near the city. Some tourism and industrial areas are being developed. There is a large informal economy that includes some unemployed residents.

Tourism numbers increased from 14,000 to 51,000 from 2006 to 2013. Half of the visitors arriving at Dili's airport come from Australia, Indonesia, and Portugal. Most hotels are run by local companies. Nightly rates are quite high for the region. Important hotels include Hotel Timor and Hotel Dili.

Most large investments come from the government. However, a small private sector is growing. The Dili municipality produces about 40% of the country's fish, mostly eaten locally. The country's three main commercial banks operate mainly in Dili.

The Port of Dili is the country's largest. It handles most international shipping. There are regular ships to Darwin (Australia), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Surabaya (Indonesia), and Singapore. As of 2011, the port processed 200,000 tons of goods yearly. 80% of these goods are imports.

Demographics in Dili

The 2022 census found that the population of the municipality was 324,269. About 82.4% of these people lived in urban areas. The municipality had the largest population and the fastest growth rate since 2015. However, the average household size decreased. The city has almost twice as many homes as all other urban areas in the country combined. The municipality is the most densely populated in the country. Dom Aleixo, with 166,000 people, remained the most populated administrative post. By 2030, the municipality's population is expected to reach around 580,000.

In 2022, there were about 103 men for every 100 women, similar to the national average. The number of dependents (children and elderly) for every 100 working people is much lower than elsewhere in the country. This is likely because many young adults move to Dili. Every other municipality in the country has more people leaving than coming in. Dili gains 36.9% of its population from people moving in. The literacy rate for those 10 and older was 89.6%. Only a small percentage of homes had piped water, a toilet, a bath or shower, and a kitchen.

Because of limited space, some people settled in hilly and mountainous areas starting around 1990. However, after homes were left empty after the independence vote, much of the settlement in the 21st century has been in these empty areas. Population density tends to be higher in unplanned settlements than in planned neighborhoods.

The main local language is Tetum. It was promoted during Portuguese rule and is now an official language. Speakers of other languages of East Timor are in the city. The official language, Portuguese, and working languages like English and Indonesian are also spoken. A dialect of Malay-based creole called Dili Malay is spoken by about 1,000 residents. People moving into the city often settle near others from similar backgrounds. This has created a mix of different communities in Dili.

Education in Dili

Education is more common in Dili Municipality than in other parts of the country. The number of children attending primary schools increased from 37% in 2004 to 73% in 2010. As of 2010, 86% of people aged five or older in the municipality had attended primary school. Within the city, education rates are highest in Nain Feto and Vera Cruz.

As of 2013, there were 108 schools in Dili, Hera, and Tibar. This included primary, secondary, and specialist schools. Of these, 61 were public and 47 were private. Many private schools are run by the Catholic Church.

Seventy-six percent of the country's university students study in Dili. This is one reason why people move to the city. The National University of East Timor created a plan to develop the Hera area into a "University City."

Infrastructure in Dili

Up to 70% of the country's infrastructure was destroyed in 1999. This included almost all the electrical grid and much of the water system. Dili's airport and port were repaired in the six years after this, along with electricity and telecommunications. The city's fast population growth has put a strain on some of its services. Old laws that stopped building near water bodies are not enforced. This means houses are built in flood-prone areas, like along dry river beds.

Utilities in Dili

Electricity

In the early years of UN rule, electricity came from the Comoro power station. By 2004, Dili was the only place in East Timor with 24-hour electricity. Electricity demand was highest in the evenings. By 2010, most Dili households used electricity for lighting. However, most still used firewood for cooking. Not paying electricity bills has caused some funding problems.

In November 2011, new diesel generators at the Hera Power Station started working. This replaced the Comoro station. A new substation was created to supply Dili. Transmission lines connect Dili to other towns along the northern coast. The cost of electricity has gone down a lot since independence.

Telecommunications

Most phone use in the country is with mobile phones. Most of the country's landlines are in Dili and used by government and businesses. There are no underwater cables connecting to the country, so internet access comes from satellites. This is expensive, and internet use was low in 2016. The government has approved plans for new underwater cables to Australia and Indonesia. As of 2020, there were three phone companies in the country.

Water and Sanitation

Access to clean water and sanitation is a problem for some homes. Over $250 million was invested to build Dili's water system. Existing water sources are enough for the city's immediate needs, but work continues to improve quality. In 2007, only 25% of residents had water 24 hours a day. As of 2013, half of Dili received less than six hours of water a day. Water quality was also not regular, and boiling water was advised. By 2015, less than 30% of people in Dili had continuous water. In 2018, water was available for only 4 to 8 hours on average.

Water is managed by the National Directorate of Water and Sanitation Services. They get 60% of water from underground sources. Private groups also pump water without rules. Despite inconsistent supply, most people in urban areas have some access to safe drinking water. Some homes have tanks to help with service interruptions. Half of the city's water comes from a local underground water source. There are four water treatment plants at the southern edge of the city. Water fees were put in place in 2004 but removed in 2006. Increasing water use means the underground water source cannot keep up with demand during the dry season. More wells have increased demand, and development has limited how much the water source can refill.

Dili has the country's water testing lab, so its water quality is checked regularly. The lack of factories in the city is thought to limit water pollution. However, pollution risks come from untreated household water and leaks from toilet pits into the soil. Water stored in homes and from some wells has been found to have bacteria.

Drainage systems are not enough for the wet season. Drains are often blocked, and flooding is common. This causes property damage and health problems. There are 36 water channels in the city besides its rivers. These often collect rainwater. However, the growing city is reducing how much water can soak into the ground, making flood risks worse. There is no city-wide sewage system. As of 2010, only 30.3% of homes had access to a septic tank. The most common way to dispose of sewage was pit toilets. Wastewater is often collected by trucks from some areas. Some wastewater is treated in ponds. Dili also has one of the country's two facilities for treating sewage. A plan was made in 2012 to create eight wastewater treatment systems in the city by 2025.

As of 2014, Dili produces 108 tons of solid waste per day. More than half of this waste can break down naturally. The government collects waste in some areas. Collected waste goes to a landfill. Metal collected by waste pickers is sold for recycling. Some waste is burned. Waste collection schedules change, with some areas getting daily collection and some getting none.

There are 14 hospitals around the Dili area. The National Hospital of Timor-Leste is in Dili. A specialist hospital is planned to be built by 2030 to treat diseases that are currently treated outside the country.

Transport in Dili

Land Transport

As of 2015, Dili Municipality had 1475 km of roads. Half of these were classified as National, District, or Urban roads. Roads going into and out of Dili carry over 1,000 vehicles daily. In Dili, traffic is increasing. Poor road quality is the most common cause of accidents and delays. Many roads are unpaved. In the old part of the city, streets are often one-way. The only four-lane roads in the city are National Road A01 and Banana Road. As of 2016, there were four roundabouts and 11 intersections with traffic lights. Few routes go along the east-west direction. For most of the time since independence, there was only one bridge for vehicles across the Comoro river. This bridge was expanded from two lanes to four lanes in June 2013. The two-lane Hinode Bridge opened upriver in September 2018.

The usual public transport in the city is the minibus. These are run by private companies that buy routes from the government. Each vehicle usually holds ten people. There are no formal schedules and few official bus stops. Fares are cheap, at $0.25. Dili also has blue taxis with air conditioning. Their drivers are expected to speak Tetum and English.

Street names are in Portuguese, as are many official signs. Tetum is used for more information signs. English and Indonesian are rare on official signs but common elsewhere. Chinese is used on some informal signs. Even under Indonesian rule, Portuguese street names remained unchanged.

Sea Transport

The Port of Dili is the country's largest. It handles most international shipping. This port was the only international cargo port, but its capacity was not enough. The Tibar Bay Port was planned to handle all cargo shipping. This would leave the current Dili port to become a ferry terminal. Construction on Tibar Bay Port began in 2019 and it officially opened in November 2022.

A dry port has been created 8 km from the main Port of Dili. There is also a naval port in Hera. Cargo operations in Dili Port stopped in October 2022. A ferry service runs twice a week between Dili and Oecusse. A ferry also travels between Dili and Atauro once a week. The Dili Port is the main link for these places with the rest of the country. These ferries drop off people and vehicles onto a ramp, not a special dock.

Air Transport

The Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, named after independence leader Nicolau Lobato, is in the city. It has regular flights to Darwin (Australia), Denpasar (Indonesia), and Singapore. In 2014, it served many passengers and tons of cargo. It has one runway, which is 1850 meters long and 30 meters wide. It is 8 meters above sea level. A lack of runway lighting prevents night-time landings, so the airport operates from 6 am to 6 pm. The passenger terminals were originally for domestic flights, so they are not well-designed for international customs. Because of the runway size, only medium-sized planes can land. There is limited space for parking aircraft. The runway is limited by the sea and the Comoro river. However, there are plans to extend the runway by adding land or building a bridge over the river. A new international terminal is also planned. Despite this, the airport is expected to handle enough flights until 2030.

This is the only working international airport in East Timor. There are also airstrips in Baucau, Suai, and Oecusse for domestic flights. Until recently, Dili's airport runway could not handle large aircraft. But in January 2008, a Portuguese airline flew a direct flight from Lisbon using a Boeing 757.

Culture in Dili

Within the city, cultural differences exist not only between different language groups but also between older residents and new immigrants. Legal traditions from Portuguese and Indonesian rule do not always match local customs, like how marriages are recognized. People who move to Dili from other parts of the country keep their cultural and identity links to their home areas. These links are passed down through generations. City residents often go back to rural areas for traditional ceremonies, especially during the dry season and for elections.

Local communities have important traditional houses and sacred natural areas. These include specific trees, rocks, and wells, as well as Uma Lulik (sacred houses). As in the rest of the country, village chiefs still have some influence in Dili's communities. However, because Dili's local areas are more diverse than rural areas, the power of local chiefs is not as strong. Community links are more common at smaller levels, or through religious or economic ties. New arrivals often settle near people from the same home area. This has made Dili's urban population a mix of different communities. Moving back and forth between Dili and rural areas is common.

Some urban areas show separation based on jobs or social status. Core urban areas are mostly home to wealthy families. Some areas are mostly made up of people of foreign descent or temporary students.

Dili has many local groups, often for young people. While sometimes called gangs, many act more like social groups that are part of their local community. These groups have a long history, with many forming to resist Indonesian rule. Some street art still shows themes of resistance. These groups often reflect the rural origins of their members.

The government has a culture policy that includes providing cultural facilities in Dili. It aims for the city to show diverse cultural influences. Cultural facilities include libraries and museums. The "City of Peace" campaign aims to keep peace in the capital. It brings young people together for discussions and promotes national pride. Large events where locals work together are important parts of this campaign. One important event is the Dili "City of Peace" marathon, first held in June 2010. It is now an annual event. It includes a full marathon, a half marathon, and a seven-kilometer "Run for Peace."

Dili did not have a cinema until 2011, when one opened in a new shopping center called Timor Plaza. The country's first locally made movie, Beatriz's War, was released a few years later. In 2019, the city hosted the first Dili International Film Festival. Radio is very popular, and the city has 13 FM radio stations.

International Relations

Diplomatic Missions

Embassies

Consulate Generals

•  Poland

Honorary Consulates

• Mexico
•  United Kingdom

Twin Towns – Sister Cities

Dili is twinned with the following places:

City	State or region	Country	Year
Lisbon	Lisbon District	Portugal	2001
Praia	Praia	Cape Verde	2001
Coimbra	Coimbra District	Portugal	2002
Margão	Goa	India	2001
Darwin	Northern Territory	Australia	September 2003
Okinawa	Okinawa	Japan	November 2005
Manila	Metro Manila	Philippines	November 2011
Canberra	Australian Capital Territory	Australia	June 2004

Images for kids

• 

  Government Palace, Dili (Timor-Leste's prime minister's Office)

• 

  Pura Girinatha Hindu temple, built during Indonesian occupation

• 

  Dili Cathedral

• 

  Cristo Rei of Dili atop a summit on Fatucama peninsula outside of Dili

• 

  Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum

See also

In Spanish: Dili para niños