Timor-Leste Traditional House

Timor-Leste Traditional House - Commonly seen in the districts, it is a symbol of the country’s rich culture.

Timor is an Indonesian word and Leste is Portuguese word, both means East. After 450 years of continuous occupation of both countries, Timor-Leste became the world’s newest independent nation on May 20, 2002.

The island of Timor lies towards the eastern end of the chain of Indonesian islands running from Malaya, through Sumatra and Java, to new Guinea. The island is divided into two parts. Most of the western half remains part of Indonesia. The eastern half forms the bulk of the national territory of Timor, with its capital at Dili on the northern coast, a small enclave in the western half around the town of Oecussi, and the small island of Atauro, 30km (19 miles) north of Dili.