Timor-Leste: Flag and Facts
Timor-Leste's flag is red with a yellow arrowhead reaching to the center, topped by a black triangle on the left that holds a white star.
- Official name
- Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
- Capital
- Dili
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Population
- 1.4 million (2025)
- Languages
- Portuguese, Tetum
- Currency
- United States dollar
- Area
- 14,874 km² (5,743 sq mi)
- People
- East Timorese
- Calling code
- +670
- Highest point
- Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
- Independence
- 28 November 1975 (from Portugal)
- National symbols
- Mount Ramelau
- Borders
- Indonesia
About Timor-Leste
For centuries the island of Timor traded across Southeast Asia, sending out sandalwood, honey and wax. That sandalwood drew the Portuguese in the early 16th century, and in 1859 Portugal gave the western half to the Dutch. Japan occupied the Portuguese side from 1942 to 1945. East Timor declared independence on 28 November 1975, but Indonesia invaded just nine days later and annexed it the next year.
As many as 250,000 people died over two decades of Indonesian rule. In a 1999 referendum run by the UN, a large majority voted to leave, and full independence came on 20 May 2002. The land is mountainous and tropical, with clear rainy and dry seasons. About 1.4 million people live here, roughly 281,000 of them in Dili, the capital.
Did you know?
- Mount Ramelau is the national symbol of Timor-Leste.
- Foho Tatamailau, the highest peak, reaches 2,963 meters.
- Timor-Leste uses the US dollar as its currency.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Timor-Leste
What languages are spoken in Timor-Leste?
Portuguese and Tetum are the official languages.
What does the star on Timor-Leste's flag mean?
The white star stands for peace and a guiding light. Red is the struggle for freedom.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.