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Timor-Leste Facts: Key Information for Travellers

Timor-Leste facts at a glance: capital Dili, 1.34 million people, US dollar, UTC+9, +670, plugs, languages, independence and ASEAN membership.

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Timor-Leste (East Timor) is a small Catholic-majority republic on the eastern half of the island of Timor, with Dili as its capital, about 1.34 million people, the US dollar as its currency and the clock set to UTC+9. It restored its independence on 20 May 2002, joined the United Nations the same year and became ASEAN’s 11th member on 26 October 2025. Every figure below comes from an official source listed at the end of the page.

Key facts

FactDetail
Official nameDemocratic Republic of Timor-Leste · República Democrática de Timor-Leste (Portuguese) · Repúblika Demokrátika Timor-Leste (Tetum)
Short namesTimor-Leste; East Timor in English
CapitalDili
Population1,341,737 (2022 census); Dili municipality 324,738
Area14,950 km²
Administrative divisions14: 12 municipalities, the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno and Ataúro
Official languagesTetum and Portuguese
Working languagesIndonesian and English
ReligionCatholic 97.5%, Protestant/Evangelical 2.0%, others under 0.5% (2022 census)
CurrencyUS dollar, plus Timorese centavo coins (1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200) worth the same as US cents
Time zoneUTC+9 all year, no daylight saving time
Calling code+670
Internet domain.tl
Electricity220 V; European two-pin plugs, types C, E and F
DrivingOn the left
Emergency numbersPolice 112 · Ambulance 110 · Fire 115
IndependenceProclaimed 28 November 1975; restored 20 May 2002
Head of statePresident of the Republic (elected)
Head of governmentPrime Minister
United NationsMember since 27 September 2002 (191st member)
ASEANMember since 26 October 2025 (11th member)
Highest pointMount Ramelau (Tatamailau), 2,963 m
National anthem”Pátria”
FlagRed field with a yellow and a black triangle at the hoist and a white five-pointed star

Geography

Timor-Leste covers the eastern half of the island of Timor, the island of Ataúro north of Dili, the small island of Jaco off the eastern tip and the enclave of Oé-Cusse Ambeno, which sits on the north coast of Indonesian West Timor. Its only land border is with Indonesia, and Australia lies to the south across the Timor Sea.

The interior is mountainous. The highest point is Mount Ramelau in Ainaro municipality, a popular sunrise hike. The official tourism board gives 2,963 m (the Government portal rounds it to about 2,960 m); older sources quote up to 2,986 m. Read our guides to geography and climate and Mount Ramelau.

Administrative divisions

Since Law 19/2023 the country has 14 first-level divisions: the municipalities of Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro, Covalima, Dili, Ermera, Lautém, Liquiçá, Manatuto, Manufahi and Viqueque, the Special Administrative Region of Oé-Cusse Ambeno, and Ataúro. Ataúro was a municipality from 2022 (it was counted as one in the 2022 census) until that law made it a division of its own, run by the Ataúro Administrative Authority from Vila Maumeta. See Atauro Island and Oecusse.

People and languages

The 2022 census counted 1,341,737 people. Dili municipality alone has 324,738, about a quarter of the total.

The Constitution makes Tetum and Portuguese the official languages and Indonesian and English working languages, and the State also protects the other national languages. In practice, Tetum is the everyday language. Many people also speak Indonesian, and English is common in Dili hotels and tour companies but less so in rural areas. Learn a few words with our Tetum phrase guide.

Catholicism is central to national life: the census counted 97.5% Catholics. Find out more in people and culture.

Government and history in brief

  • 28 November 1975: FRETILIN proclaims independence after Portuguese rule ends. Indonesia invades on 7 December 1975.
  • 30 August 1999: In a referendum organised under the auspices of the UN, Timorese people vote for independence, and the UN administers the territory during the transition.
  • 20 May 2002: Independence is restored and the Constitution comes into force.
  • 27 September 2002: Timor-Leste joins the UN as its 191st member.
  • 26 October 2025: Timor-Leste becomes ASEAN’s 11th member at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The President of the Republic is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government. National symbols include the flag, the emblem and the anthem “Pátria”. In the flag, yellow stands for the traces of colonialism, black for the obscurantism that must be overcome, red for the struggle for national liberation and the white star for peace. Find out more in our history of Timor-Leste.

Practical facts for visitors

  • Visa: rules depend on your passport. See visa and immigration.
  • Money: bring US dollars in cash, because cards and ATMs are limited outside Dili. See money and currency.
  • Phone and internet: a local SIM or eSIM from Telemor, Timor Telecom or Telkomcel costs about US$1. See SIM cards and internet.
  • Power: sockets are 220 V and the official tourism board recommends a universal adapter. Outages can happen outside Dili, so a power bank helps.
  • Driving: traffic drives on the left. Bring an International Driving Permit along with your licence.
  • Safety and health: read is Timor-Leste safe?, health and safety and emergency numbers.
  • Weather: the dry season runs roughly May to November on the north coast. See weather and seasons.
  • Getting there: most visitors fly into Dili from Bali, Darwin or Kuala Lumpur. See how to get to Timor-Leste.

Sources

About Timor-Leste