Capital of Timor-Leste: Dili
The capital of Timor-Leste is Dili. Timor-Leste sits in Asia, has a population of 1,341,296, and uses the USD. Official languages include Tetum, Portuguese.
Quick facts
- Capital: Dili
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~1,341,296
- Area: 14,874 km²
- Population density: 90.2 people per km²
- Official languages: Tetum, Portuguese
- Currency: USD
- ISO code: TL
How big is Timor-Leste?
By population, Timor-Leste ranks 154th in the world, holding roughly 0.02% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 155th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Timor-Leste has 90.2 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Timor-Leste is the 45th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Timor-Leste in population are Estonia (1,326,590) and Mauritius (1,299,469).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Bahamas (13,943 km²) and Montenegro (13,812 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Tetum is listed as an official language of Timor-Leste alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
The USD is not unique to Timor-Leste — it is also used by Ecuador, El Salvador, Marshall Islands and Micronesia, and 2 others. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
Timor-Leste in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Timor-Leste belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Timor-Leste and a page on the flag of Timor-Leste.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Timor-Leste?
The capital of Timor-Leste is Dili.
What is the population of Timor-Leste?
About 1,341,296, making it the 154th most populous country in the world.
How big is Timor-Leste?
14,874 square kilometres, ranking 155th by land area, at a density of 90.2 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Timor-Leste use?
The USD, shared with 6 other countries.