Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste, also called East Timor, is a small country in Southeast Asia. It sits on the eastern half of the island of Timor and includes the area of Oecusse and the islands of Atauro and Jaco. The capital city is Dili.

Timor-Leste became its own country in 2002. For many years, it was controlled by Indonesia, which made life hard for the people. With help from the United Nations, the people chose their own path, and Timor-Leste became the first new nation of the 21st century.

Today, Timor-Leste is a democratic country with a president and a prime minister. It has natural resources like oil, but many people still live in poverty. The population is over 1 million, with many young people. The country has many languages and traditions. Most people practice the Roman Catholic faith, which mixes with older local customs.

The name "Timor" comes from a word meaning 'east' in a language called Malay. This gives us a name that means 'East East'. Today the country is known as Timor-Leste. In Portuguese, it is also called Timor-Leste. Its official name is the "Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste".

Timor-Leste is a small country with many mountains. The highest point is Mount Ramelau, which is almost three thousand meters tall. The country has a tropical climate with a wet season from December to May and a dry season at other times. The coastlines have rich ecosystems, including coral reefs. The country has many different kinds of plants and animals.

Timor-Leste has a system where the president and the prime minister share power. The president is chosen by voters for five years and can serve up to two terms. The prime minister, chosen by the parliament, leads the government and the cabinet. The country’s capital, Dili, is where the government operates. Timor-Leste joined a group of countries called ASEAN in 2025. This group helps countries work together and supports each other.