Timor-Leste (East Timor) is one of the world's newest countries, gaining independence in 2002 after 24 years of Indonesian occupation following Portugal's withdrawal from its former colony. Located on the eastern half of the island of Timor in Southeast Asia, it is one of only two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia. Timor-Leste has significant offshore oil and gas reserves and is home to remarkable coral reef systems in the Coral Triangle.
Population and area are rounded.
Yellow stands for the traces of colonialism, black for the obscurantism that must be overcome, red for the struggle for liberation, and the white star for the light that guides the way to peace. The flag was first used in 1975 when independence from Portugal was declared, and was adopted again in 2002 when Timor-Leste became independent from Indonesia.
Timor-Leste declared independence from Portugal in November 1975 under this flag, but was invaded by Indonesia days later and occupied until 1999. After a United Nations-supervised vote in 1999 and a period of UN administration, it became fully independent on 20 May 2002 and readopted the flag. Its capital is Dili, on the north coast of the island of Timor.
Black triangle at hoist with a white star, red field, yellow triangle behind the black.
Timor-Leste is one of the world's newest countries, gaining independence in 2002.
Timor-Leste's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:
Every flag that has flown over Timor-Leste, from today back through time.
Re-adopted in 2002 at the restoration of independence, identical to the 1975 design. Yellow symbolizes the colonial past, black the obscurantism to be overcome, red the liberation struggle, and the white star peace.
Nine days after FRETILIN declared independence, Indonesia invaded and in 1976 annexed the territory as its 27th province, Timor Timur, flying the Indonesian red-and-white flag. The brutal 24-year occupation cost an estimated 100,000–180,000 lives before a 1999 UN-supervised referendum voted overwhelmingly for independence.
Raised in November 1975 when FRETILIN declared independence from Portugal, it flew only days before the Indonesian invasion. The Indonesian flag was then used until 1999, and the UN flag during the transition to restored independence.
The eastern half of Timor was a Portuguese colony for nearly three centuries, flying the flag of Portugal — the only part of Southeast Asia colonised by Portugal rather than the Dutch, British, French or Spanish. It was this long Lusophone heritage (and the Catholic faith) that set East Timor apart from Indonesia when Portugal abruptly withdrew in 1975.
Timor-Leste shares a land border with one country: Indonesia.
4 other national flags use the same main colours as Timor-Leste's.
Play Globalio and learn Timor-Leste's flag
Tanzania
Brunei
Egypt
Papua New Guinea
Uganda