Dili, East Timor

Dili, East Timor

Dili is the capital, largest city, chief port, and commercial centre of East Timor. It is part of a free trade zone, the Timor Leste–Indonesia–Australia Growth Triangle. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Díli is the seat of the Immaculate Conception, purportedly the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.

About Dili, East Timor in brief

Summary Dili, East TimorDili is the capital, largest city, chief port, and commercial centre of East Timor. It is part of a free trade zone, the Timor Leste–Indonesia–Australia Growth Triangle. Dili was settled about 1520 by the Portuguese, who made it the capital of Portuguese Timor in 1769. It was proclaimed a city in January 1864. In 1976, Indonesia annexed the island, which it designated the 27th province of Indonesia, Timor Timur, with Dili as its capital. A guerrilla war ensued from 1975 to 1999 between Indonesian and pro-independence forces. In May 2006, fighting and rioting sparked by conflict between elements of the military caused significant damage to the city.

The 2010 census recorded a population of 193,563 in the areas of Dili district classified as urban. The city is divided into several sucos, each of which is headed by an elected chefe de suco. The municipality has an elected mayor and council. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Díli is the seat of the Immaculate Conception, purportedly the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia, and the ‘Integration Monument’ featuring a statue of an East Timorese in traditional dress breaking the chains round his wrists, the monument has not been demolished.