Timor-Leste
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Dili
- Population
- 1,404,785 (2025 est.)
- Area
- 14,874 sq km
- Government
- semi-presidential republic
- Languages
- Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.)
- Religions
- Catholic 90.7%, other 7.1%, Protestant Evangelical 1.9%; less than 1%: Islam, Buddhist, Hindu (2022 est.)
- Ethnic Groups
- Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority
- Life Expectancy
- 70.5 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .tl
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
- Terrain
- mountainous
- Natural Resources
- gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
- Major Exports
- crude petroleum, natural gas, coffee, scrap iron, telephones (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
The island of Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries, and by the 14th century, it exported sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax.