The world's newest democracy — Cristo Rei, shade-grown coffee and the scars of resilience
Dili is the capital of Timor-Leste (East Timor), the world's youngest country (independent 2002), a small city on the Timor Sea with a dramatic backdrop of mountains descending to the coast. The city bears the marks of its turbulent history — Indonesian occupation (1975–1999), the 1999 UN referendum and subsequent Indonesian militia violence that destroyed 70% of the country's infrastructure — but has rebuilt with remarkable speed. The Cristo Rei of Dili statue watches over the harbour from a hilltop, Timor's shade-grown coffee (among Asia's finest and least-known) is served strong in the mar…
Timor was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century as a source of sandalwood and became one of Portugal's most neglected outposts. Japan occupied it during World War II with significant civilian casualties. Portugal's Carnation Revolution in 1974 prompted a brief period of independence movement — Fretilin declared independence in November 1975 and was immediately invaded by Indonesia nine days later. The 24-year occupation (1975–1999) cost the lives of an estimated 100,000–180,000 Timorese. The 1999 UN referendum saw 78.5% vote for independence; Indonesian militia violence followed, the UN i…