Dili, also spelled Díli, is the capital and largest city of Timor Leste (formerly called East Timor). It lies on the northern coast of Timor island, the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Dili is the chief port and commercial centre for East Timor, and has approximately 150,000 inhabitants. There is also an airport in Comoro, Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, renamed after independence leader Nicolau Lobato, which is used for commercial and military flights. Dili is located at . It is also the capital of the district of Dili, which includes the surrounding area.

History

Municipal flag of Dili during the Portuguese rule.

However, a guerrilla war ensued from 1975 to 1999 between Indonesian and pro-independence forces, during which tens of thousands of East Timor and some international civilians were killed. Media coverage of the 1991 Dili Massacre helped revitalise international support for the East Timorese independence movement. In 1999, East Timor was placed under UN supervision and on May 20 2002, Dili became the capital of the independent Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. In May 2006, fighting and rioting sparked by conflict between elements of the military caused significant damage to the city and led to foreign military intervention to restore order.

Buildings and monuments

Saint Mary column

Most buildings were destroyed in the violence of 1999, orchestrated by the Indonesian military and local pro-Indonesia militias (see Operation Scorched Earth). However, the city still has many buildings from the Portuguese era. The former Portuguese Governor's office is now the office of the Prime Minister. It was previously also used by the Indonesian-appointed Governor, and by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).

Cristo Rei of Dili atop a summit on a peninsula outside of Dili

Legacies of Jakarta's occupation are the Church of the Immaculate Conception, seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Díli, purportedly the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia, and the 'Integration Monument', commemorating the Indonesian annexation of the territory in 1976. Featuring a statue of a Timorese in traditional dress, breaking the chains round his wrists, the monument has not been demolished.

Education

Schools in Dili include St. Joseph?s High School (Colégio de São José).

East Timor's major higher education institution, the Universidade Nacional de Timor-Leste, is based in Dili.

Transportation

Map of Dili and immediate surroundings.

Sister cities

• Coimbra, Portugal
• Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Gallery

References

External links

• Discover Dili - Tourism promotion site

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