Trivia in Timor-Leste

National symbols

Flag: A red field with a black isosceles triangle and overlapping yellow triangle, with a white five-pointed star in the center of the black triangle

Emblem: A circular coat of arms with Mount Ramelau, an open book, a gear, a rifle, a bow and arrow, and a star arranged on a red shield

Trivia & facts

• The red on the flag represents struggle, black represents past oppression, yellow represents the path to independence, and the white star represents peace
• The first nation in the world to gain independence in the 21st century
• The capital Dili has only a few traffic lights
• Unusually in the world, only coins are issued domestically while US dollars are used for banknotes
• The Cristo Rei statue is 27 meters high, symbolizing the '27 provinces' during Indonesian rule
• Tais weaving patterns differ by district and are also used for wedding attire
• Emerging internationally as a surfing paradise
• Most coffee is organically grown and is also a procurement source for Starbucks in the US
• For birdwatching, endemic species like the Black-fronted Honeyeater are popular
• The prefix 'TL' on vehicle license plates stands for Timor-Leste