Flag of Timor-Leste

What the flag looks like

A red field with a black triangle at the hoist laid over a larger yellow triangle (arrowhead), and a white five-pointed star, tilted, in the black triangle.

What it means

Yellow represents the traces of colonialism, black the obscurantism to be overcome, red the struggle for liberation, and the white star peace and the light that guides the way.

How to remember it

Timor-Leste is a red flag with a black arrowhead on a yellow arrowhead pointing in, and a tilted white star in the black.

Fun facts

• The flag was first used in 1975 when FRETILIN declared independence from Portugal, and was readopted at independence in 2002.
• Timor-Leste was the first new sovereign state of the 21st century.

Timor-Leste at a glance

Capital

Dili

Region

South-Eastern Asia

Population

1.4 million

Area

14,874 km²

Languages

Portuguese, Tetum

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Flag adopted

2002