Timor-Leste facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste República Democrática de Timor-Leste  (Portuguese) Repúblika Demokrátika Timór Lorosa'e  (Tetum)
Flag Emblem
Motto: Unidade, Acção, Progresso  (Portuguese) "Unity, Action, Progress"
Anthem: Pátria  (Portuguese) "Fatherland"
Show globe Show ASEAN Location of Timor-Leste (green) toward the eastern end of the Indonesian Archipelago
Capital and largest city	Dili 8°33′S 125°34′E / 8.55°S 125.56°E / -8.55; 125.56
Official languages	Portuguese Tetum
Recognised languages	15 national languages: Atauru Baikeno Bekais Bunak Fataluku Galoli Habun Idalaka Kawaimina Kemak Makalero Makasae Makuva Mambai Tokodede 2 working languages: English Indonesian
Religion (2015 census)	99.53% Christianity 97.57% Catholicism 1.96% Protestantism 0.24% Islam 0.23% other
Demonym(s)	East Timorese Timorese Maubere (informal)
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic
• President	José Ramos-Horta
• Prime Minister	Xanana Gusmão
Legislature	National Parliament
Independence  from Portugal and Indonesia and United Nations Administered East Timor
• Portuguese Timor	Early 18th century
• Independence declared	28 November 1975
• Annexation by Indonesia	17 July 1976
• Administered by UNTAET	25 October 1999
• Independence restored	20 May 2002
Area
• Total	14,950 km2 (5,770 sq mi) (154th)
• Water (%)	Negligible
Population
• 2023 estimate	1,354,662 (153rd)
• 2022 census	1,341,737
• Density	94/km2 (243.5/sq mi) (120th)
GDP (PPP)	2025 estimate
• Total	$6.970 billion (169th)
• Per capita	$4,920 (152nd)
GDP (nominal)	2025 estimate
• Total	$2.120 billion (176th)
• Per capita	$1,490 (157th)
Gini (2014)	28.7 low
HDI (2023)	0.634 medium · 142nd
Currency	United States dollar Timor-Leste centavo (USD)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Timor-Leste Time)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+670
ISO 3166 code	TL
Internet TLD	.tl

Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It covers the eastern part of the island of Timor. It also includes a small area called Oecusse on the island's northwest. Plus, it has the islands of Atauro and Jaco. The total land area is about 14,950 square kilometers. Timor-Leste shares a land border with Indonesia to the west. Australia is its southern neighbor, across the Timor Sea. Dili is the capital and largest city, located on the north coast.

Many different groups of people settled Timor over a long time. These included Papuan and Austronesian peoples. This created a rich mix of cultures and languages. The country became a Portuguese colony in the 1500s and remained so until 1975. After declaring independence, Timor-Leste faced a difficult period. It was occupied by Indonesia, which brought many challenges and much suffering for the people. However, the people of Timor-Leste continued to fight for their freedom. In 1999, with help from the United Nations, Indonesia gave up control. On May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste became an independent country. It was the first new country of the 21st century. It is also the only Asian country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. Timor-Leste officially joined ASEAN on October 26, 2025.

Timor-Leste has a special type of government called a semi-presidential system. The President is elected by the people. The Prime Minister is chosen by the National Parliament. They work together to lead the country. Timor-Leste works with other countries around the world. It is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries and ASEAN. The country is still developing its economy. It relies on natural resources like oil and help from other nations.

The population of Timor-Leste is over 1.34 million people, based on the 2022 census. Many young people live here. Education has improved a lot, and more people can read and write. The two official languages are Portuguese and Tetum. Timor-Leste is the only country in Asia where Portuguese is an official language. There are also about 30 other local languages spoken. Most people in Timor-Leste are Roman Catholic. Their faith often blends with traditional local beliefs, especially in the countryside.

What's in a Name?

The name "Timor" comes from a Malay word, timur, which means "east." So, "Timor-Leste" actually means "East East" because "Leste" also means "east" in Portuguese! In the local Tetum language, the country is called Timór Lorosa'e. This means "where the sun rises."

The full official name in English is the "Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste." In Portuguese, it is República Democrática de Timor-Leste. In Tetum, it is Repúblika Demokrátika Timór-Leste. The short name, Timor-Leste, is used for many things, including its international codes.

A Look at History

Ancient Times

People have lived in Timor-Leste for at least 42,000 years. The first people likely came from the region of New Guinea. Later, other groups arrived from places like Sumatra. These early settlers brought new languages and farming methods. They created a mix of cultures on the island.

Before Europeans arrived, Timor had many small kingdoms. These kingdoms followed traditional laws. Each kingdom had a leader, called a liurai, and a spiritual leader. They often traded valuable sandalwood, honey, and wax with other parts of Asia.

Portuguese Rule (1769–1975)

European explorers came to Timor in the 1500s, attracted by sandalwood. Portugal started to have a stronger presence on the island in the 1600s. In 1769, they founded the city of Dili, which became the capital. A clear border was set between the Portuguese and Dutch parts of the island in 1914. This border is still used today.

For a long time, Portugal did not invest much in Timor-Leste. Sandalwood and coffee were the main exports. In the early 1900s, Portugal tried to get more wealth from its colonies. This led to resistance from the East Timorese people.

During World War II, Japanese forces occupied Dili in 1942. East Timorese volunteers and Allied forces fought against the Japanese in a difficult guerrilla campaign. Many East Timorese civilians lost their lives during this conflict. After the war, Portugal regained control.

Portugal began to invest more in the 1950s, especially in education and coffee. However, the economy did not improve much. After a revolution in Portugal in 1974, Portugal left its colony in Timor. This led to a civil war among East Timorese political groups in 1975.

The Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) declared independence on November 28, 1975. Soon after, Indonesia invaded Timor-Leste on December 7, 1975. Indonesia later declared Timor-Leste its 27th province. The United Nations Security Council did not agree with this invasion.

A Time of Challenges (1975–1999)

During the Indonesian occupation, the people of Timor-Leste faced many difficulties. There was a long period of conflict and hardship. Many people suffered greatly. The Fretilin group continued to resist the occupation through guerrilla warfare.

In 1991, a peaceful demonstration in Dili was met with violence by the Indonesian military. This event, known as the Santa Cruz massacre, brought more international attention to Timor-Leste's struggle. After Indonesia's President Suharto resigned, a new president, BJ Habibie, agreed to hold a vote on independence.

In August 1999, a United Nations-supported vote took place. The people of Timor-Leste voted clearly for independence. This decision led to more violence from groups who wanted to stay with Indonesia. The Indonesian government then allowed an international peacekeeping force, INTERFET, to help restore order. On October 25, 1999, the UN took over the administration of East Timor.

Becoming an Independent Nation

On August 30, 2001, the East Timorese people held their first election. They chose members for a new assembly. On May 20, 2002, Timor-Leste officially became an independent country. The UN recognized its independence. Xanana Gusmão was elected as the country's first president. Timor-Leste became a UN member state on September 27, 2002.

In 2006, there was a period of unrest. The United Nations sent security forces to help. In 2007, José Ramos-Horta was elected president. In February 2008, President Ramos-Horta was injured in an attack. Prime Minister Gusmão also faced an attack but was unharmed. The UN peacekeeping mission ended on December 31, 2012.

Francisco Guterres became president in May 2017. Later, José Ramos-Horta was elected president again on May 20, 2022. He is the current president.

How the Government Works

Leading the Country

Timor-Leste has a semi-presidential system, similar to Portugal's. This means power is shared between the president and the prime minister. The President is the head of state. They are elected by the people for a five-year term and can serve two terms. The president has some important powers, like vetoing laws or calling for new elections.

The Prime Minister is the head of government. They are chosen by the National Parliament. The prime minister leads the cabinet, which is a group of ministers who manage different parts of the government.

The National Parliament

The National Parliament makes the laws. Its members are elected by the people for five-year terms. The number of seats can be between 52 and 65. To get into parliament, a party needs at least 3% of the votes.

Timor-Leste has many political parties. The two main parties are Fretilin and the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT). Women hold more than a third of the seats in parliament. This is because a law requires parties to include female candidates.

Local Government

Most of the government's power is in the capital, Dili. However, the country is divided into 14 municipalities. These are further divided into administrative posts and villages called sucos. The isolated Oecusse region has special administrative rules because it is separated from the rest of the country by Indonesia.

Local leaders in the sucos play a big role. They often follow traditional customs to help their communities. These leaders are important for solving problems and keeping communities connected.

Friends Around the World

International Connections

Timor-Leste works closely with other countries. It has received a lot of help from international donors. The country has also hosted five UN missions since 1999. The last one ended in 2012.

Timor-Leste formally joined ASEAN on October 26, 2025. This helps the country build stronger ties with its neighbors in Southeast Asia. It is also a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. This group connects countries that speak Portuguese.

Protecting the Nation

The Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) was created in 2001. Its job is to protect the country from outside threats. It also helps with serious crime, working with the National Police. The defense force is small, with about 2,200 soldiers and a small navy. They work with countries like Australia, Portugal, and the United States.

Places and Regions

How Timor-Leste is Divided

Timor-Leste is divided into 14 main areas called municipalities. These are then split into smaller parts: 64 administrative posts, 442 villages (sucos), and 2,225 hamlets (aldeias).

The island of Atauro, which used to be part of Dili, became its own municipality in January 2022.

Geography and Nature

Land and Climate

Timor-Leste is located between Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. It is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Malay Archipelago. The island is surrounded by the rougher Banda Sea to the north and the calmer Timor Sea to the south. The country is about 265 kilometers long and 97 kilometers wide. Its total land area is about 14,874 square kilometers.

The middle of the country is very mountainous. Almost half of the land has steep slopes. The highest point is Tatamailau, which is 2,963 meters tall. Most rivers dry up partly during the dry season. The soil is often shallow and can easily erode. The capital city, Dili, is on the north coast. The second largest city is Baucau in the east.

Timor-Leste has a tropical climate. Temperatures stay fairly steady all year. There is a wet season from December to May. During this time, heavy rains can cause floods and landslides. The dry season has much less rain. The mountains are cooler than the coastal areas.

Amazing Wildlife

Timor-Leste is part of the Coral Triangle, which has the most diverse coral reefs in the world. The waters around Atauro Island are especially rich in fish. They have an average of 253 different species! One spot even recorded 642 different fish species. These reefs are in good condition, but they are still threatened by climate change and harmful fishing methods.

The country also has diverse land animals. The Timor and Wetar deciduous forests are home to 38 mammal species. Two unique mammals are the Timor shrew and the Timorese horseshoe bat. Other animals include the Javan rusa (a type of deer) and the Northern common cuscus (a marsupial). You can also find Crab-eating macaques, many types of bats, and Dugongs in the water. Timor-Leste even has its own horse breed, the Timor pony.

Timor-Leste is a birdwatcher's paradise, with 289 bird species. Some, like the Timor green pigeon and Wetar ground dove, are threatened. The critically endangered Yellow-crested cockatoo also lives here.

Economy and Work

How People Earn a Living

Timor-Leste has a market economy. However, it relies a lot on exporting a few goods and has a large public sector. The country uses the United States dollar for money. It also makes its own centavo coins for smaller amounts.

Many people in Timor-Leste are poor. More than 40% live below the national poverty line. This is especially true in rural areas. There, many people are subsistence farmers or fishermen. This means they grow or catch food mainly for their own families. The country does not produce enough food for everyone, so it imports a lot.

Natural Resources and Wealth

Timor-Leste has valuable natural resources, especially oil and natural gas. The Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund was set up in 2005. This fund helps turn the money from oil sales into long-term wealth for the country. Most of the government's spending comes from this fund.

However, the oil and gas reserves are decreasing. This means the country needs to find other ways to grow its economy. Coffee is another important export. It makes up 90% of all non-oil exports.

People and Languages

Who Lives in Timor-Leste?

In 2022, the population of Timor-Leste was about 1,341,737 people. Most people live along the coast in urban areas. People in cities often have more education and job opportunities. The population is quite young, with many children and teenagers.

The official name for people from Timor-Leste is "Timorese." Sometimes, people use the informal name "Maubere."

Healthcare has improved, and people are living longer. Life expectancy rose from 48.5 years in 1990 to 69.5 years in 2019. More children are going to school. However, many children still face stunted growth due to poor nutrition.

Many Languages

Timorese communities are not just defined by their ethnic group or language. Family ties and connections to sacred houses are very important. There is a general cultural difference between the eastern and western parts of the country.

Timor-Leste has a small population of mixed Portuguese and local descent, called mestiço. There is also a small Chinese minority, mostly Hakka. Some people have roots from India, Africa, and Yemen. Important leaders like José Ramos-Horta and Xanana Gusmão have Portuguese-Timorese backgrounds.

The local languages belong to two main families: Austronesian and Papuan. There are up to 19 local languages and 30 dialects! The most common mother tongues are Tetum Prasa, Mambai, and Makasae.

Timor-Leste has two official languages: Portuguese and Tetum. English and Indonesian are also used as "working languages." Portuguese is taught in most schools and its use has grown a lot since independence.

Learning and Faith

Education for All

In 2021, about 68% of adults in Timor-Leste could read and write. For young people aged 15–24, this number was even higher, at 84%. More girls than boys attend school. Primary schools are found throughout the country. However, the quality of teaching and materials can sometimes be a challenge. Secondary schools are usually in the main towns. The country's main university is the National University of Timor-Leste.

Since independence, Portuguese has become the main language used in schools. This is a big change from when Indonesian was more common. Portugal helps support some public schools, especially in cities.

Religion in Timor-Leste

The Constitution of Timor-Leste says that people have the freedom to choose their religion. It also recognizes the important role of the Catholic Church in the country's history. Timor-Leste is one of only two countries in Asia where most people are Catholic.

According to the 2022 census, about 97.6% of the population is Catholic. There are also smaller groups of Protestants and Muslims. The number of churches grew a lot during the Indonesian rule. This was because Indonesia's state rules encouraged people to follow a recognized religion. In rural areas, Catholicism often blends with traditional local beliefs.

Culture and Traditions

A Rich Cultural Mix

Timor-Leste's many cultures come from different groups of people who settled there over time. These include Austronesian and Melanesian peoples. Portuguese rule also added to this mix. The Catholic Church helped create a common bond among different ethnic groups.

During the Indonesian occupation, resisting foreign rule strengthened cultural ties to Catholicism and the Portuguese language. After independence, a new national identity began to grow. This identity is seen in the country's strong support for democracy.

Cultural practices vary across the country. They reflect old social structures and beliefs. An important traditional idea is lulik, which means sacredness. Some lulik ceremonies still follow ancient beliefs. Sacred objects, like old Portuguese flags, can also be part of lulik.

Sacred Houses and Art

Community life often centers around sacred houses, called Uma Lulik. These buildings are symbols for each community. Their architectural style is different in various parts of the country. These houses are more than just buildings; they represent the community itself.

Traditional leaders, often from important historical families, help solve problems and disputes. They often blend their cultural status with modern political roles. The idea of a communal house has even been extended to the nation, with Parliament seen as the national sacred house.

Art styles are also diverse. Common themes include large animals and geometric patterns. Tais textiles, handwoven by women, are very important. Different tais patterns represent different communities. Many buildings in Dili still show historical Portuguese architecture.

Traditional rituals are still important and often mix with modern life. Timor-Leste has a strong tradition of oral history, with people who can recite long stories and poems. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão is known as a distinguished poet.

In 2013, Timor-Leste released its first full-length film, Beatriz's War. This movie showed life under Indonesian occupation. It aimed to tell a story of truth and justice.

Media and News

Newspapers are mostly found in Dili and are published in the Tetum language. Television stations are also mainly in Dili. Radio is the most popular way for people to get news. This is because not everyone can read, newspapers can be expensive, and radio broadcasts in local languages. As of 2022, about 37% of people in Timor-Leste used the internet.

See also

In Spanish: Timor Oriental para niños

• Outline of Timor-Leste
• List of Timor-Leste–related topics