Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is an island country in Asia with its capital in Dili and about 1.4 million people. Timor-Leste is known for its coffee and for the coral reefs around Atauro Island, among the most species-rich in the world.

Timor-Leste in purple, with Dili marked. Outline from the same detailed coastlines the games use.

Capital: Dili
Continent: Asia
Population (2025): 1.4 million
Land area: 14,870 km² (5,741 sq mi)
Island country: Yes, shares an island

Find it among 48 Asia countries →Explore Timor-Leste on the map Name difficult islands

The story of Timor-Leste

Where the name comes from

Timor-Leste joins Malay timur, “east”, with Portuguese leste, also “east”, naming the state in Timor’s eastern half.

First people

People have lived on Timor for more than 40,000 years.¹

Known for

Timor-Leste is known for its coffee and for the coral reefs around Atauro Island, among the most species-rich in the world.²

Outside contact

Portugal settled at Lifau in 1702, and Japan occupied the island in 1942–1945.¹

The modern country

Independence was declared in 1975, but Indonesia invaded that same year; after a 1999 referendum and a UN-run transition, Timor-Leste became independent on 20 May 2002.^3,4

Timor-Leste

The story of Timor-Leste

Where the name comes from

First people

Known for

Outside contact

The modern country

Nearby countries

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Sources