Official name: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (for­merly East Timor)

Capital city: Dili

Internet country code: .tl

Flag description: Red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the center of the black triangle

National anthem: “Pátria” (Fatherland), lyrics by Francisco Borja da Costa, music by Afonso de Araújo

Geographical description: Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Total area: 5,794 sq. mi. (15,007 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry sea­sons

Nationality: noun: Timorese (singular and plural); adjective: Timorese

Population: 1,084,971 (July 2007 CIA est.; note: other esti­mates range as low as 800,000)

Ethnic groups: Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

Languages spoken: Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English; there are about 16 indigenous lan­guages, including Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak, which are spoken by significant numbers of people

Religions: Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1%