Editing Dili

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Timor-Leste}}
{{good article}}
{{about|the capital of Timor-Leste}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Dili
| native_name        = {{small|''Díli''}}<!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | total_width              = 300
  | border                   = infobox
  | perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
  | caption_align            = center
  | image1                   = Government Palace, Dili, 2023 (02).jpg
  | alt1                     = 
  | caption1                 = [[Government Palace, Dili|Government Palace]]
  | image2                   = Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Dili), 2023 (05).jpg
  | alt2                     = 
  | caption2                 = [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]]
  | image3                   = National Parliament building, Dili, 2018 (02).jpg
  | alt3                     = 
  | caption3                 = [[National Parliament (Timor-Leste)|National Parliament]]
  | image4                   = Chinese Commercial Association building, Dili, 2023 (01).jpg
  | alt4                     = 
  | caption4                 = Old Chinese Commercial Association building
  | image5                   = Cristo_Rei_Dili_Timor_Leste_2.jpg
  | alt5                     = 
  | caption5                 = [[Cristo Rei of Dili]]
  | image6                   = Casa Europa, Dili, 2023 (01).jpg
  | alt6                     = 
  | caption6                 = [[Casa Europa]]
  | image7                   =Municipal Market of Dili, 2023 (03).jpg
  | alt7                     = 
  | caption7                 = [[Municipal Market of Dili|Dili Convention Centre]]
  }}
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 200px
| image_shield       = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| pushpin_map        = Timor-Leste#Asia
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Timor-Leste]]##Location in [[Asia]]
| pushpin_relief = yes
| coordinates        = {{coord|08|33|13|S|125|34|42|E|region:TL|display=it}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Timor-Leste}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Municipalities of Timor-Leste|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Dili Municipality|Dili]]
| established_title  = Capital of [[Portuguese Timor]]
| established_date   = 1769
| government_type    = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_title       = Municipal administrator
| leader_name        = [[Gregório da Cunha Saldanha]]
| unit_pref          = 
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 178.62
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 277,488
| population_as_of   = 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro   = 324,296
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = {{TL wikidata|timezone}}
| utc_offset         = {{TL wikidata|utc_offset}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 11
| blank_name         = 
| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| blank_info         = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 
| image_map          = {{Maplink|frame=yes|plain=y|frame-width=285|frame-height=200|frame-align=center|frame-coordinates={{Coord|08|33|13|S|125|34|42|E}}|zoom=10|type=point|title=Dili|marker=city|type2=shape|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080|text=Interactive map of Dili.}}
}}

'''Dili''' ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[Tetum language|Tetum]]: ''Díli'') is the [[Capital city|capital]] and largest city of [[Timor-Leste]]. It lies on the northern coast of the island of [[Timor]], in a small area of flat land hemmed in by mountains. The climate is tropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The city has served as the economic hub and chief port of what is now Timor-Leste since its designation as the capital of [[Portuguese Timor]] in 1769. It also serves as the capital of the [[Dili Municipality]], which includes some rural subdivisions in addition to the urban ones that make up the city itself. Dili's growing population is relatively youthful, being mostly of working age. The local language is [[Tetum language|Tetum]]; however, residents include many internal migrants from other areas of the country.

The initial settlement was situated in what is now the old quarter in the eastern side of the city. Centuries of Portuguese rule were interrupted in [[World War II]], when Dili became the site of [[Battle of Timor|a battle]] between [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] and Japanese forces. The damaged city returned to Portuguese control following the war. In 1975, [[East Timorese civil war|a civil war]] between Timorese political parties broke out, leading to a declaration of independence and a subsequent [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor|invasion by Indonesia]]. Under [[Indonesian occupation of East Timor|Indonesian rule]] infrastructure in the city was developed, with landmarks such as the [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]] and ''[[Cristo Rei of Dili]]'' being built during this time. The city expanded as its population grew to over 100,000 people.

Resistance to Indonesian rule faced violent repression, and a [[Santa Cruz massacre|massacre in Dili]] led to international pressure culminating in an [[1999 East Timorese independence referendum|independence referendum]]. Following a vote for independence [[1999 East Timorese crisis|violence erupted in the city]], destroying huge amounts of its infrastructure and leading to an exodus of refugees. A period of [[United Nations]] rule followed, during which international agencies began the reconstruction of the city. Dili became the capital of an independent Timor-Leste in 2002. A [[2006 East Timorese crisis|period of violence]] in 2006 saw another period of infrastructure damage and population displacement. In 2009 the government launched the ''City of Peace'' campaign to reduce tensions. As the population has continued to grow and the original site of the city has filled up, the urban area has expanded into coastal areas to the east and west of the main city.

Infrastructure in Dili continues to be developed. The city was the first location in Timor-Leste to see 24 hours of electricity, although its water infrastructure remains relatively limited. Education levels are higher than the national average, and the country's universities are located in the city. An [[Dili Sea Port|international port]] and [[Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport|airport]] lie within the city limits. Most economic activity comes from the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]] and public employment. To further build the economy, the government is developing the tourism potential of the city, focusing on cultural, environmental, and historical attractions.

==History==
{{Main|History of Dili}}
{{See also|History of Timor-Leste}}

===Initial Portuguese settlement===
[[File:PT Dili 1952-1975 COA.svg|thumb|left|upright|Former coat of arms]]
Dili has played a central role in the history of Timor-Leste.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|6–8}} However, early records about Timor, especially before the 1700s, are sparse.<ref name="Thomaz2017">{{cite journal |last1=Thomaz |first1=Luís Filipe F. R. |title=La chronologie historique de Timor Oriental |journal=Archipel |date=2017 |volume=93 |issue=93 |pages=199–217 |doi=10.4000/archipel.416 |hdl=10400.14/35931 |url=https://journals.openedition.org/archipel/416 |language=fr |hdl-access=free |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416194819/https://journals.openedition.org/archipel/416 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|199}} The tumultuous history of the city has resulted in a great deal of information being lost; archives in the city were destroyed in 1779, 1890, 1975, and 1999.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|7}}

The island of Timor was possibly known as a source for [[sandalwood]] in the 15th century.<ref name="Carter2001">{{cite book |url=https://www.timorleste.tl/wp-content/uploads/formidable/4/Carter-etal-2001_development-of-tourism-policy-strategic-planning-in-TL.pdf |title=Development of Tourism Policy and Strategic Planning in East Timor |last1=Carter |first1=R. W. |last2=Prideaux |first2=Bruce |last3=Ximenes |first3=Vicente |last4=Chatenay |first4=Adrien V. P. |publisher=Ministry of Tourism |date=2001 |access-date=21 July 2021 |issn=1 440-947X |isbn=186-499-506-8 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721172708/https://www.timorleste.tl/wp-content/uploads/formidable/4/Carter-etal-2001_development-of-tourism-policy-strategic-planning-in-TL.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|10}} The first recorded Portuguese voyage to the island from [[Portuguese Malacca]] occurred in 1516, returning with sandalwood. In 1521, sandalwood was left out of a list of products under royal monopoly, leaving most trade with Timor in the hands of private enterprises.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|201–202}} Portuguese and Spanish interest in the island increased in the 1520s, with regular trade established by 1524.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|10}} In the late 1500s, administrative officials began to be appointed to nearby [[Solor]] with jurisdiction over that island and Timor, signifying increasing state interest in Portuguese activities there.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|203}}

The Netherlands began to compete for control of the island in 1613, especially in the west.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|10}} A rebellion in 1629 forced the Portuguese off the island for three years.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|10}} In 1641, a number of kings in Timor converted to Catholicism while seeking Portuguese protection. This introduced a political dimension to Portuguese influence, which had previously been primarily economic.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|206}} Timor became administratively separated from Solor in 1646, although the exact administrative structure is unknown.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|208}} It received its first dedicated governor in 1702, who resided in [[Lifau]]. This reflected the growing importance of Timor compared to nearby [[Flores]].<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|209}} 1749 saw Dutch military forces take control over large portions of the island, broadly reflecting [[Indonesia–Timor-Leste border|current borders]].<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|210}}

In 1769, as Lifau came under the increasing influence of powerful local families collectively known as the [[Topasses]], the Portuguese governor [[António José Teles de Meneses]] moved the administration and 1,200 people east to establish a new capital.<ref name="Berlie2017">{{cite book |last1=Berlie |first1=Jean A. |title=East Timor's Independence, Indonesia and ASEAN |date=1 October 2017 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9783319626307 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6EQ4DwAAQBAJ |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326152317/https://books.google.com/books?id=6EQ4DwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|4–5}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Telkamp |first1=Gerard J. |editor1-last=Van Anrooij |editor1-first=Francien |title=Between People and Statistics |date=1979 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-94-009-8846-0 |page=72 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-009-8846-0 |chapter=The Economic Structure of an Outpost in the Outer Islands in the Indonesian Archipelago: Portuguese Timor 1850–1975 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-009-8846-0_6 |doi=10.1007/978-94-009-8846-0_6 |access-date=2 August 2021 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228142027/https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-009-8846-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally intended that the administration be set up at [[Vemasse Administrative Post|Vemasse]] further east, but perhaps because of the favourable geography, a settlement was established at Dili instead.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|17}} This was at the time part of the Motael kingdom, whose leader was friendly with the Portuguese authorities. The governor occupied an existing fortified structure, and with the assistance of the Motael leader began to construct a new settlement. The area surrounding the settlement was [[wetland]]s fed by rivers from the mountains and proved conducive to [[rice]] cultivation. A wall was built to separate the coastal city from wetlands to its south. The initial settlement was divided between three populations, one mainly Portuguese, one of [[Mestiço]]s and locals from other Portuguese colonies (which became [[Bidau Santana|Bidau]]), and one for troops from a kingdom thought to be in [[Flores]].<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|25}} 

[[File:Dili map.jpg|thumb|alt=Hand-drawn map showing Dili as a small settlement|An old map of Dili, showing the old city separated from Lahane to the south by marshes]]
From 1788 to 1790, a civil war broke out between the governor in Dili and an official based in [[Manatuto]], which was resolved upon the arrival of a new governor. In response to Dutch provocations, a permanent military force was established in 1818.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|210}}  Some Europeans settled in [[Lahane]] to the south, beyond the wetland area. Significant construction was undertaken under governor {{ill|José Maria Marques|de}}, who arrived in 1834 and rebuilt the settlement along a grid. This saw expansion along the coast, but also southwards as the wetlands between the original city and Lahane were [[Channelization (rivers)|channelised]] and drained. A road extended to Lahane and [[Dare, Timor-Leste|Dare]].<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|17, 25}} The rebuilding saw the settlement being centred on its port, with the immediate port area containing trade facilities, church buildings, military buildings, government buildings, the residence of the governor and his deputy, a residence for a representative of the Motael kingdom, and a residence for the Queen of Manatuto. Of these, only the church and the Finance Deputy's house used [[masonry]]. To the east of this core was Bidau and a Chinese settlement, to the west was the main settlement of the Motael kingdom.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|26}}

In 1844 Timor, along with Macau and Solor, was removed from the jurisdiction of [[Portuguese India]], with the three areas becoming a new Portuguese province. A few years later in 1850, [[Portuguese Timor]] was removed from the jurisdiction of the governor of Macau, before being returned to the jurisdiction of Portuguese India in 1856.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|212–215}} When English naturalist and explorer [[Alfred Russel Wallace]] visited in the 1860s, he wrote that the governor's house was "merely a low whitewashed cottage", and that all other buildings appeared to be mud and thatch. At the time swamps and mudflats surrounded the town, which did not extend to the mountains surrounding it.<ref name="Adams2013">{{cite book |last1=Adams |first1=Kathleen M. |editor1-last=Bishop |editor1-first=Ryan |editor2-last=Phillips |editor2-first=John |editor3-last=Wei Wei Yeo |title=Postcolonial Urbanism: Southeast Asian Cities and Global Processes |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136060502 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4nUNKK9_lwC |chapter=The Ambivalent Allure of the Urban Jungle |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140727/https://books.google.com/books?id=S4nUNKK9_lwC |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|49}} More permanent buildings of one or two stories were constructed throughout the late 19th century.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|26}} A new church building was built in 1877.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|29}}

[[File:Dilly's Port and City Plan, Second Edition, 1895.jpg|thumb|alt=Hand-drawn map showing the coast of Dili and some offshore waters|1895 port and city plan]]
A revolt to the east led to the city being isolated in 1861; however, the revolt was defeated by the Portuguese and their Timorese allies.<ref name="Damaledo2018">{{cite book |last1=Damaledo |first1=Andrey |title=Divided Loyalties: Displacement, belonging and citizenship among East Timorese in West Timor |date=27 September 2018 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781760462376 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ld90DwAAQBAJ |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140745/https://books.google.com/books?id=ld90DwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|26}} In 1863, Dili was declared a city (although the news may not have arrived to the city until the next year), and East Timor became directly subordinate to the Lisbon government. In 1866 the territory was again put under the jurisdiction of Macau. An 1887 mutiny in Dili led to the death of the governor at the time. The territory was separated from Macau for the last time in 1896, again coming directly under the jurisdiction of Lisbon, and becoming a full province in 1909.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|212–215}} Another [[East Timorese rebellion of 1911–1912|notable revolt]] took place in the years after the [[5 October 1910 revolution|1910 republican revolution]] in Portugal.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|11}} The republican government downgraded the status of its overseas provinces to colonies.<ref name="Thomaz2017"/>{{rp|215}} A civil government was established in 1913.<ref name="Weatherbee1966">{{cite journal |last1=Weatherbee |first1=Donald E. |title=Portuguese Timor: An Indonesian Dilemma |journal=Asian Survey |date=1966 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=684–687 |doi=10.2307/2642194 |jstor=2642194 |s2cid=154903837 |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=poli_facpub |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714140641/https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=poli_facpub |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|685}}

[[File:DiliMercadoMunicipal.jpg|thumb|[[Municipal Market of Dili|Former Market Hall]] built by the Portuguese]]
Permanent structures in Portuguese style continued to be constructed into the 20th century.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|30-32}} A new town hall was built from 1912 to 1915. The main church was demolished in 1933, and a new cathedral opened in its place in 1937.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|29}} (This cathedral was later destroyed by Allied bombing in the Second World War.)<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|60}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://doublereds.org.au/forums/topic/424-the-old-dili-cathedral-%E2%80%93-prime-target-in-the-bombing-war/ |title=The Old Dili Cathedral – Prime Target in the Bombing War |author=Edward Willis |publisher=2/2 Commando Association of Australia |date=14 August 2023 |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref> Four distinct residential districts developed around the city core. Bidau was the largest, and Benamauc joined it on the eastern side. Caicole developed to the south between the city and Lahane. [[Colmera]] developed as a commercial area to the west with a large number of Muslim traders. Motael continued to develop, becoming the site of the city's lighthouse. [[Motael Church]] began to be built in 1901. Inland to the southwest, a Chinese cemetery was established, and beyond that a military area known as Taibesse.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|32–39}} Lahane also saw significant development in the early 20th century, with its east and west side separated by a river.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|40}} As the administrative structures developed, Dili became part of the Dili municipality in 1940, the first municipal administration to be created. At the time the municipality was larger, including what is now the [[Aileu Municipality]].<ref name="AdministrativeDivision">{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?lang=en&p=91 |title=Administrative Division |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182920/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?lang=en&p=91 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Destruction, reconstruction, and Indonesian rule===
[[File:1943-02-18 AERIAL VIEW OF A JAPANESE TRANSPORT SHIP IN THE HARBOUR OF DILI.JPG|thumb|A Japanese ship off Dili in 1943]]
During [[World War II]], [[Portugal during World War II|Portugal]] and its colonies remained neutral, but the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] saw East Timor as a potential target for Japanese invasion. Upon the outbreak of the [[Pacific War]] in 1941, Australian and Dutch troops were sent to Dili despite Portuguese objections.<ref name="Levi1946">{{cite journal |last1=Levi |first1=Werner |title=Portuguese Timor and the War |journal=Far Eastern Survey |date=17 July 1946 |volume=15 |issue=14 |pages=221–223 |doi=10.2307/3023062 |jstor=3023062 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3023062 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023150749/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3023062 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, the Japanese invaded Dili as part of a two-pronged [[Battle of Timor|invasion of Timor]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Frei |first1=Henry P. |title=Japan's reluctant decision to occupy Portuguese Timor, 1 January 1942 - 20 February 1942 |journal=Australian Historical Studies |date=1996 |volume=27 |pages=298–299 |doi=10.1080/10314619608596014 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10314619608596014}}</ref> The city had been mostly abandoned prior to the invasion,<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|12}} and allied forces retreated further into the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/media-centre/media-backgrounders/timor-leste-second-world-war |title=Timor-Leste – Second World War |publisher=Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs |date=31 January 2020 |access-date=28 June 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628163300/https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/media-centre/media-backgrounders/timor-leste-second-world-war |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://museum.wa.gov.au/debt-of-honour/battles-timor |title=The Battles for Timor |publisher=Western Australian Museum |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713155418/http://museum.wa.gov.au/debt-of-honour/battles-timor |url-status=live }}</ref> The Japanese left the Portuguese governor nominally in position, but took over administration. Much of Dili was destroyed during the war,<ref name="Levi1946"/> from the initial Japanese invasion and from later allied bombings.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|12}} Japanese forces on the island of Timor surrendered to Australian forces at the end of the war.<ref name="Levi1946"/> Following the surrender, an Australian official travelled to Dili where on 23 September 1945 he informed the Portuguese governor of the [[Surrender of Japan|Japanese surrender]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naa.gov.au/learn/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/war/world-war-ii/surrender-japanese-timor-area-world-war-ii |title=Surrender of the Japanese in the Timor area, World War II |publisher=National Archives of Australia |date=2010 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715160938/https://www.naa.gov.au/learn/learning-resources/learning-resource-themes/war/world-war-ii/surrender-japanese-timor-area-world-war-ii |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Dili 1943.jpg|thumb|alt=Map showing Dili's urban area not reaching the Comoro river|Dili in the 1940s was what today is the old city]]
Following the Second World War, Dili covered what today is the old core of the city, within the sucos of Acadiru Hun, Bemori, Bidau Lecidere, Caicoli, Colmera, Culu Hun, Gricenfor, Motael, and Santa Cruz.<ref name="JICA2016">{{cite web |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12268603.pdf |title=The Project for Study on Dili Urban Master Plan in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste |publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency |date=October 2016 |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184610/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12268603.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|3–1}} Portuguese Timor became a full part of Following the initial post-war reconstruction of Dili's immediately critical infrastructure, an urban plan was developed in 1951 covering urban layout, road development, zoning, and building regulations.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|18, 53}} The plan envisioned separate neighbourhoods for Europeans, mestiços, Chinese, Arabs, and Timorese, and assumed there would be further rural-urban migration. Both this plan and later revisions in 1968 and 1972 assumed that the Timorese population would live on the edges of the city yet work near the centre.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|280–281}} This plan was not completed, and the city remained under-developed,<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|18, 53}} with low density and where property outside of the central area was still built on with flimsy materials and used for subsistence cultivation.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|56}} The second five-year development plan, which ran from 1959 to 1964, saw the reconstruction of the Port of Dili and a small amount of transport infrastructure.<ref name="Weatherbee1966"/>{{rp|687}} 

A 1950 census found that the population of Dili was about 6,000 people, half 'civilised' (considered by Portuguese authorities to have sufficiently adopted Portuguese culture), including ''[[Mestiço]]'', 'civilised' natives, Europeans, and other foreigners such as [[Goa]]ns and those from Portugal's African colonies. This was slightly over 1% of the total population of the colony.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|56}}<ref name="Weatherbee1966"/>{{rp|684}} The 1960 census recorded the population of Dili to be about 7,000 people.<ref name="Weatherbee1966"/>{{rp|684}} By 1970, the urban population reached around 17,000.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|56}} The city did not extend far beyond the area surrounding the port, and the population did not exceed 30,000 before 1975.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|283–284}} 

[[File:Dili 1965.jpg|thumb|alt=Map showing Dili remaining constrained to today's old core|1965 map of Dili]]
Portuguese Timor became a full part of Portugal in 1951, although despite being made citizens of Portugal this did not bring the locals any political power. Governance remained in the control of Lisbon. The Portuguese Overseas Organic Law of 1963 created the first Legislative Council of the territory, which was given some of the powers formerly held by the governor. It also theoretically extended voting rights to the 'uncivilised', although property and tax requirements meant most were still unable to vote.<ref name="Weatherbee1966"/>{{rp|686–687}}

The 1974 [[Carnation Revolution]] in Portugal created immediate change in East Timor, with new political parties forming with the goal of independence from Portugal. Relationships between these new parties was fractious. Some, particularly the [[Timorese Democratic Union]] (UDT), advocated union with Indonesia.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|13}} On 11 August 1975, the UDT initiated a coup.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|17}} UDT control was limited outside of Dili, and on 20 August the opposing [[Fretilin]] party began its attempt to seize the city. Some houses were set on fire to assist the defence; however, after some days Fretilin succeeded in taking control of the city.<ref name="Kammem2015">{{cite book |last1=Kammen |first1=Douglas |title=Three Centuries of Conflict in East Timor |date=20 August 2015 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=9780813574127 |pages=124–125, 130 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WGZ0CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA124 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140756/https://books.google.com/books?id=WGZ0CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA124 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Mário Lemos Pires|last Portuguese governor]] fled Dili for [[Atauro Island]] on 26 August, as [[East Timorese civil war|the civil war]] continued.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|6}}<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|13}} On 28 November, Fretilin declared independence in a ceremony in Dili. On 7 December, Indonesia [[Battle of Dili|landed paratroopers in the city and amphibious forces to its west]], as part of an [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor|invasion of East Timor]],<ref name="Kammem2015"/> leading many to flee the city.<ref name="ICG2010">{{cite web |url=https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/b110-managing-land-conflict-in-timor-leste.pdf |title=Managing Land Conflict in Timor-Leste |publisher=International Crisis Group |date=9 September 2010 |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721103322/https://d2071andvip0wj.cloudfront.net/b110-managing-land-conflict-in-timor-leste.pdf |url-status=live }}<!--from https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/timor-leste/managing-land-conflict-timor-leste--></ref>{{rp|3}}

[[File:Monument, Jardim 5 de Maio, Dili, 2018 (01).jpg|thumb|left|The integration monument was built by Indonesian authorities to celebrate freedom from European rule]]
This invasion brought the territory under Indonesian rule. On 17 July 1976, Indonesia annexed East Timor, which it designated its [[East Timor (Indonesian province)|27th province]].<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|18}} Indonesia continued to administer the territory from Dili, continuing formerly Portuguese use of places such as the [[Balide Comarca]] prison and [[Lahane Hospital]].<ref name="Hearman2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/article/remembering-terror-and-activism-city |title=Remembering terror and activism in the city |author=Vannessa Hearman |publisher=International Institute for Asian Studies |date=Summer 2019 |access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> Despite Indonesian attempts to restrict rural-urban migration, the population of Dili continued to grow, reaching 80,000 people in 1985, and over 100,000 in 1999, and economic growth for the territory remained centred in Dili.<ref name="Moxham">{{cite web |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/57417/WP32.2.pdf |title=State-Making and the Post-Conflict City: Integration in Dili, Disintegration in Timor-Leste |last=Moxham |first=Ben |publisher=London School of Economics and Political Science |issn=1749-1800 |date=February 2008 |access-date=25 June 2021 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625161614/https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/57417/WP32.2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|8–9}} Part of the internal migration was due to people fleeing the continuing conflict in rural areas.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|283}}<ref name="Hearman2019"/> Indonesia developed the city's infrastructure, partly as an attempt to win over the population. Structures and monuments built during this time include the [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]], the Integration Statue commemorating the end of Portuguese rule, and the ''[[Cristo Rei of Dili]]''.<ref name="DeGiosa2019">{{cite journal |last1=De Giosa |first1=Pierpaolo |title=Commemorating The Santa Cruz Massavre in Dili, Timor-Leste |journal=Visual Ethnography |date=2019 |volume=8 |issue=1 |url=http://vejournal.org/index.php/vejournal/article/view/192 |issn=2281-1605 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628162512/http://vejournal.org/index.php/vejournal/article/view/192 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|84}} Nonetheless, many in the city continued to support the Fretilin-led resistance, providing a communications link between the rebels and the rest of the world, and setting up safe houses in the city. Others who supported Indonesian rule became informants, known as ''mau'hu''.<ref name="Hearman2019"/> By the 1990s, urban sprawl had taken up much of the available flat land around the original settlement.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–1}}

In the 1980s, resistance to Indonesian rule grew among youth in the city.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|10}} Nonetheless, towards the end of the decade Indonesia began allowing foreign tourists access to the city, with the entire province previously being restricted.<ref name="Adams2013"/>{{rp|52}} A visit by [[Pope John Paul II]] in 1989 was interrupted by independence activists.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|14}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1989/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19891012_dili.html |title=Holy Mass at Tasi-Toli in Dili |publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723084148/https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1989/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19891012_dili.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 November 1991, Indonesian forces were filmed [[Santa Cruz massacre|shooting at a funeral procession]]. This led to global condemnation of Indonesia's rule in East Timor, increasing pressure for East Timorese self-determination.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|17–18}} The [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] along with a drought related to an [[El Niño]] event led to profound food insecurity, worse for Dili than any other city in Indonesia. The crisis also precipitated the [[Fall of Suharto|resignation of Indonesian President Suharto]], whose successor, [[B. J. Habibie]], soon approved a referendum on East Timorese independence.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|10}} Outbreaks of violence from pro-Indonesian militia occurred throughout the country in the months leading up to the vote.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|15}} In August 1999, East Timor [[1999 East Timorese independence referendum|voted for independence]].<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|10}}

[[File:Landsat dili lrg.jpg|thumb|Fires burning in Dili on 8 September 1999, during [[1999 East Timorese crisis|a period of violence]] following the [[1999 East Timorese independence referendum|independence referendum]]]]

The vote led to a [[1999 East Timorese crisis|period of extreme violence]], as pro-Indonesian militia were unchecked by the Indonesian military that was meant to be providing security. On 4 September, when the result was announced, Indonesian police began to leave Dili.<ref name="Shah2006">{{cite web |url=https://www.international.ucla.edu/apc/article/53444 |title=Records of East Timor, 1999 |last=Shah |first=Angilee |publisher=UCLA Asia Pacific Center |date=21 September 2006 |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629153647/https://www.international.ucla.edu/apc/article/53444 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first 48 hours, international media organisations present in the city reported 145 deaths. Most foreigners were evacuated.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|17}} Violence continued for several days,<ref name="Shah2006"/> causing significant damage to infrastructure and housing in the city.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|19}}<ref name="Vitor2015">{{cite book |last=Vitor |first=Antonio |editor1-last=Ingram |editor1-first=Sue |editor2-last=Kent |editor2-first=Lia |editor3-last=McWilliam |editor3-first=Andrew |title=A New Era?: Timor-Leste after the UN |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781925022513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |chapter=Progress and Challenges of Infrastructure Spending in Timor-Leste |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA103 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140720/https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|103}} Administrative buildings were looted,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.minesurveyors.com.au/files/members/2002SeminarPapers/MilitarySurveyors-RAE7.pdf |title=The Military Land Surveyor in an Operational Environment, East Timor |last1=Miller |first1=Barry |last2=Carroll |first2=Michael |publisher=Australian Institute of Mining Surveyors |date=May 2002 |access-date=21 July 2021 |page=3 |archive-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721143850/https://www.minesurveyors.com.au/files/members/2002SeminarPapers/MilitarySurveyors-RAE7.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and much of the city was destroyed by fire. 120,000 people became refugees.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gsp.yale.edu/sites/default/files/genocide_in_east_timor_gps_workingpaperno.33.pdf |title=Violence by Fire in East Timor, September 8, 1999 |last=Schimmer |first=Russell |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629153657/https://gsp.yale.edu/sites/default/files/genocide_in_east_timor_gps_workingpaperno.33.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> International pressure grew for an international peacekeeping force to replace the Indonesian military, which Indonesia agreed to on 12 September. On 14 September, the UN evacuated refugees that had been sheltering in its Dili compound to Australia. The Australian-led [[International Force East Timor]] arrived on 20 September.<ref name="Shah2006"/>

===Growth under UN rule and independence===
[[File:Timor oriental dili.svg|thumb|alt=Map showing the built-up area of the city|Dili in 1999]]
Dili continued to grow under UN rule. As Indonesian infrastructure investment outside of Dili was not replicated by the UN government, leaving it to deteriorate, population growth was driven in part due to internal migration from these areas to the city.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|12}} Housing left abandoned by Indonesians in 1999 was occupied by squatters. This was most common in the western areas of the city.<ref name="McWilliam2015"/>{{rp|227}} Most inward migration during this period was from eastern areas of the country.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|18}} Population growth combined with a poor economy led to an increase of urban poverty and unemployment, especially amongst youth.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|12}} This was despite the city reaping 80% of the economic benefits of reconstruction efforts; 65% of direct jobs created by the UN were in Dili, a figure that rose to 80% when including indirect jobs.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|13}}

Following the beginning of UN rule, the population of Dili grew by over 10% annually. This was a result of both rural-urban migration, and a baby boom driven by the country having the highest fertility rate in the world. By 2004, the population had reached 173,541 people,<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|13}} with unemployment at 26.9% overall, and 43.4% for men aged 15–29. Around half of employment for these young men was informal.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|14}} In 2005 a new urban master plan was developed by a group based in the Faculty of Architecture of the [[Technical University of Lisbon]].<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|280–281}} Issues with food security reoccurred periodically throughout the early years of independence.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|15}} From 1990 to 2014, agricultural use of the flat land around Dili is thought to have decreased by around 40%, replaced by [[horticulture]] and [[aquaculture]] in the east and by urban areas in the west. Wetlands have also further decreased, drained and built upon.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|274}}

By 2006, Dili produced half of the country's non-oil GDP.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|14}} It was also receiving two-thirds of government expenditure, and 80% of goods and services.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|16}} However, economic benefits were distributed unequally. 1999 saw the end of Indonesian subsidises of core food products, which alongside infrastructure destruction led to rapid inflation. Under UN rule, the use of the US dollar and the purchasing power of international organisations led to price increases. Together, these factors led to extremely high costs of living. Electricity cost four times as much as it did in Indonesia, averaging $15 per household. Telecommunications and petrol similarly grew in price compared to Indonesia. By 2006 Dili had the eighth-highest living costs of any city in Asia, despite the country's having Asia's lowest GDP.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|14}} At this point, the city had around 300 youth groups, some of which were involved in the [[informal economy]].<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|15}} These groups, driven by unemployment, were often connected to former guerrillas and current politicians.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|16}} Many developed identities reflecting the regional origins of their members, especially with regards to the broad distinction between those from the east and those from the west.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|18}}

In April 2006, disputes within the military between a leadership mostly from the east of the country and soldiers mostly from the west spilled over into [[2006 East Timor crisis|street violence]] in Dili.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|1, 13}} Disputes over housing, again mostly between groups from the east and west, contributed to property destruction.<ref name="Cryan2015">{{cite book |last=Cryan |first=Meabh |editor1-last=Ingram |editor1-first=Sue |editor2-last=Kent |editor2-first=Lia |editor3-last=McWilliam |editor3-first=Andrew |title=A New Era?: Timor-Leste after the UN |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781925022513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |chapter='Empty Land'? The Politics of Land in Timor-Leste |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA141 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140720/https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|143}} Most of the 150,000 people displaced were from Dili,<ref name="Maria2015">{{cite book |last=Maria |first=Catharina |editor1-last=Ingram |editor1-first=Sue |editor2-last=Kent |editor2-first=Lia |editor3-last=McWilliam |editor3-first=Andrew |title=A New Era?: Timor-Leste after the UN |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781925022513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |chapter=Building Social Cohesion from Below: Learning from the ''Laletek'' (Bridge) Project 2010-12 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA187 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140720/https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|188}} including about half of the city's residents.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|196}} Around 72,000 people ended up in camps, while 80,000 fled to rural areas.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|13}} Rice prices in the city increased by half by October 2006, and then almost doubled again by February 2007.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|15}} Foreign military intervention was needed to restore order.<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|1}}

A National Recovery Strategy was put in place following the [[2007 East Timorese parliamentary election|2007 national election]] to return these people.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|188}} In 2008, around 30,000 people displaced from Dili remained in camps, while 70,000 continued to live with friends or family.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|3}} Continuing unrest led to the [[2008 East Timorese assassination attempts|attempted assassinations]] of the country's president and prime minister.<ref name="DeGiosa2019"/>{{rp|86}} By 2009 most displaced people had returned to the city, and the camps were officially closed by the end of the year. However, some community tensions remained.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|187}}<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|9}} In a couple of areas, there were two or three fights a week between opposing youth groups.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|191}} Nonetheless, large-scale violence did not return. Mediation teams were utilised to assist in the resettlement of some displaced people to their previous homes.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|10}}

In May 2009, the year-long ''Dili City of Peace'' campaign was launched by [[Jose Ramos-Horta]]. The initiative was created to build unity and prevent violence, with the [[2006 East Timorese crisis]] in mind. The campaign included dialogues between different sectors of Timorese society, a cycling tour, a Dili marathon, and a reforestation initiative.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/timor-leste/national-dialogue-identifying-challenges-peace-timor-leste |title=National dialogue on identifying challenges to peace in Timor-Leste |author=Government of Timor-Leste |publisher=reliefweb |date=29 May 2009 |access-date=11 June 2021 |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611144639/https://reliefweb.int/report/timor-leste/national-dialogue-identifying-challenges-peace-timor-leste |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iom.int/news/iom-backs-timor-leste-reforestation-initiative |title=IOM Backs Timor-Leste Reforestation Initiative |publisher=IOM |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=11 June 2021 |archive-date=11 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611144650/https://www.iom.int/news/iom-backs-timor-leste-reforestation-initiative |url-status=live }}</ref> Focusing the peace campaign on Dili reflects the influence it has on the entire country, with the government expecting its impacts would extend beyond the city itself.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|161}} The ''Latelek'' (Bridge) Project was instituted from 2010 to 2012 by some organs of the Catholic Church to improve community cohesion, reintegrating previously displaced individuals with those who had remained.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|188–189}} Other programs were initiated by the government and NGOs to tackle issues such as skills development, youth engagement, and women's empowerment. Some sucos developed community laws to reduce violence.<ref name="Maria2015"/>{{rp|192}}

The development of the city since independence has led to many sites being replaced or repurposed. In 2009 the area around the Indonesian-built Integration Monument was redesignated as the 5 May Park, the date upon which it was agreed East Timor could hold its independence referendum. A 1960s hotel, Hotel Turismo, which had been a site of independence activities, was demolished in 2010 and rebuilt. The former Dili regency police headquarters has been demolished and replaced by the cultural centre of the Indonesian embassy.<ref name="Hearman2019"/> By 2010 the municipal population reached 234,026 people,<ref name="SDP2011">{{cite web |title=Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011–2030 |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Strategic-Development-Plan_EN.pdf |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |date=2011 |access-date=25 June 2021 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625161614/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Strategic-Development-Plan_EN.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|95}} of which 210,250 lived in urban areas.<ref name="ADB2013sucos">{{cite book |title=Least Developed ''Sucos'': Timor-Leste |date=2013 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |isbn=978-92-9254-223-8 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/30343/least-developed-sucos-timor-leste.pdf |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202927/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/30343/least-developed-sucos-timor-leste.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|15}} In 2018 the population reached 281,000 people.<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/timor-leste/ |title=Timor-Leste |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110035005/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/timor-leste |url-status=live }}</ref> During a period of [[COVID-19 pandemic in Timor-Leste|COVID-19 restrictions]], the city was hit by the worst flood in 50 years in April 2021.<ref name="Rubrico2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.undrr.org/news/timor-leste-floods-teach-costly-lessons |title=Timor-Leste floods teach costly lessons |author=Jennee Grace U. Rubrico |publisher=United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction |date=29 January 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130141239/https://www.undrr.org/news/timor-leste-floods-teach-costly-lessons |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Pie chart
| caption = Land use within Dili's urban area as of 2014<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–7}}
| label1 = Residential
| value1 = 49.0
| label2 = Commercial
| value2 = 5.3
| label3 = Industry
| value3 = 1.9
| label4 = Public
| value4 = 6.2
| label5 = Military
| value5 = 0.5
| label6 = Infrastructure
| value6 = 2.6
| label7 = Religious
| value7 = 1.0
| label8 = Roads
| value8 = 8.1
| label9 = Agriculture
| value9 = 7.2
| label10 = Open
| value10 = 10.2
| label11 = Water
| value11 = 8.0
}}
Dili lies on the northern coast of the island of [[Timor]], which is among the eastern [[Lesser Sunda Islands]]<ref name="MPW2014">{{cite web |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12148995.pdf |title=Preparatory Survey Report on the Project for the Construction of Upriver Comoro Bridge in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste |publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency |date=February 2014 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711154926/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12148995.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|i}} and lies in the [[UTC+9]] timezone.<ref name="CIA"/> Offshore is the [[Ombai Strait]] of the [[Savu Sea]].<ref name="AdministrativeDivision"/><ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4}} To the south is the central mountain range running through Timor,<ref name="Moxham"/>{{rp|7}} which extends north to the coast on the west and east surrounding the core city.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2-13}} The underlying ground is predominately [[limestone]] and [[marine clay]].<ref name="JICA2011">{{cite web |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12044392_01.pdf |title=The study on project for promotion of agribusiness in Timor-Leste |publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency |date=November 2011 |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614153555/https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12044392_01.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|2–13}}

The precise location of the city is around 8°35′S, 125°36′E.<ref name="CIA"/><!--Pinto2016 gives similar 8°34′S, 125°34′E--> The city lies mostly within the larger [[Dili Municipality]], whose total area was {{convert|367|km2|sqmi}}<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–5}} when including [[Atauro Island]], north of Dili, which was formerly part of the municipality<ref name="AdministrativeDivision"/> before becoming a separate municipality on 1 January 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://atauro.gov.tl/en/ |title=Atauro Municipality |publisher=Ministério da Administração Estatal |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> The municipalities bordering Dili are [[Aileu Municipality|Aileu]], [[Liquiçá Municipality|Liquiçá]], and [[Manatuto Municipality|Manatuto]].<ref name="AdministrativeDivision"/> The municipality contains 31 sucos, divided into 241 aldeias.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-1}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2009/serie_1/serie1_no33.pdf|title=Jornal da Republica |publisher=Jornal.gov.tl |pages=3601–3605 |access-date=12 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203110707/http://www.jornal.gov.tl/public/docs/2009/serie_1/serie1_no33.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The urban area of the city of Dili extends through four of the Dili Municipality's Administrative Posts, [[Cristo Rei Administrative Post|Cristo Rei]], [[Dom Aleixo Administrative Post|Dom Aleixo]], [[Nain Feto]], and [[Vera Cruz Administrative Post|Vera Cruz]]. 18 sucos within these are considered urban, and this urban area is perhaps {{convert|48|km2|sqmi}} large.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|264}} The wider urban area extends west into the [[Tibar]] suco of the [[Bazartete Administrative Post]] in the [[Liquiçá Municipality]]. The combined area of all sucos within the urban region is {{convert|17862|ha}},<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2, 1–3, I-4}} however this includes terrain considered too steep for habitation,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4}} with only perhaps 37%, or {{convert|6698|ha}}, flat enough for development.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-5}} As of 2014, only 25.5% of the total area was developed.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-6}}

[[File:Jesus Backside Beach, Dili, East Timor (312833934).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Jesus Backside Beach]], east of Dili]]
The main city lies within an area of flat lowlands of less than 100m altitude,<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–2}} mostly between 0 and 60m,<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|264}} and a slope under 15 degrees.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–2}} This includes an [[alluvial plain]], and a number of beaches line the coast.<ref name="Miranda2015">{{cite book |title=Architectural Heritage of Portuguese Origins of Dili |url=https://issuu.com/incidentaldoc/docs/dilimonio__web_ |date=14 October 2015 |publisher=Secretariat of State for Tourism, Art and Culture |isbn=978-989-20-6020-0 |editor1=Flávio Miranda |editor2=Isabel Boavida}}</ref>{{rp|15}} The soil underneath this plain is [[quaternary]] [[alluvium]].<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|265}} The distance between the sea and the mountains reaches a maximum width of only {{convert|4|km|mi}},<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4}} and the surrounding mountains slope near the city at angles of 20 degrees or higher.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–13}} On either side of the core urban area are mountain ridges extending from the southern range to the coast, leading to urban development spilling over onto areas of flat land on the other sides of these [[Spur (topography)|spurs]]. Tibar lies on the opposite site of the western range, while Hera lies on the opposite side of the eastern range.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-6, I-7}} Another spur encloses Hera on its east.<ref name="ETO">{{cite web |url=https://www.laohamutuk.org/Env/ETO/ToR_Hera%20Jetty%20and%20Fuel%20Storage_4.1.2014_rev_5.12.2014.pdf |title=Terms of Reference for the Formulation of Hera Fuel Storage and Jetty Development Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) |publisher=Esperanca Timor Oan (ETO), Lda. |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622171936/http://laohamutuk.org/Env/ETO/ToR_Hera%20Jetty%20and%20Fuel%20Storage_4.1.2014_rev_5.12.2014.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|10}}

The [[Comoro River]] flows through the western side of the city, while the Bemorl and Benmauc Rivers <!--referred to as the Kuluhum and Santana by JICA--> join together in the East.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/3116/dili-east-timor |title=Dili, Timor-Leste |date=13 January 2003 |publisher=NASA Earth Observatory |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629155003/https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/3116/dili-east-timor |url-status=live }}</ref> The Maloa river lies between these. The Maucau river flows through Tibar, while the Akanunu and Mota Kiik rivers flow through Hera.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–3}} The Comoro is the largest, with a [[drainage basin]] extending {{convert|9|km|mi}} inland to a point where the mountains are {{convert|900|m|ft}} high.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–3}} The water level within these rivers differs greatly between the dry and wet seasons.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–9}} Parts of the city are considered to face drought hazards and flooding risk from rivers, issues related to [[climate change]].<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|57}} Within the main city of Dili (although not in Hera or Tibar), rivers have reinforced to contain a once-in-25-year flood.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–3}} Small-scale flooding occurs in a minority of houses a few times each year, and reports of land [[subsidence]] are found throughout the city.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–21}} The Maloa river is the most commonly flooded.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–7}} [[Landslide]]s have previously caused damage and loss of life.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–1}} The area is thought to face [[earthquake]] and [[tsunami]] risks, although no major events have occurred.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–4}} Air pollution is considered an increasing issue,<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|25}} with contributors including forest fires, wood-fuelled cooking, and vehicles.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|61}}

===Ecology===
[[File:Many faces of Lake Tasitolu. view from eastern ridge with Atauro island in background, 29 Apr 2003.jpg|thumb|The protected [[Tasitolu]] wetlands lie between the mountains and the ocean in Dili's west]]
The landscape around Dili naturally supports dry [[Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests|deciduous forests]].<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|33}} Common tree species include ''[[Sterculia foetida]]'', ''[[Calophyllum teysmanii]]'', and ''[[Aleurites moluccana]]''. ''[[Eucalyptus alba]]'' is found in rocky areas, and [[palm tree|palm]] and [[acacia]] trees are also found. The eucalyptus trees often serve as firewood, while nuts from ''A. moluccana'' are sometimes burnt to produce lighting. Trees found within urban areas include ''[[Alstonia scholaris]]'', ''[[Albizia julibrissin]]'', ''[[Ficus microcarpa]]'', and a variety of fruit trees.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–16}}<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|15}} While forests around the city have been damaged by harvesting for construction and firewood,<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|78}} the national government aims to reforest these areas.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|59}} Large wildlife in these forests includes [[monkey]]s.<ref name="USAIDCristoReiSMP">{{cite web |url=https://www.timorleste.tl/wp-content/uploads/formidable/4/Cristo-Rei-SMP.pdf |title=Cristo Rei Sustainable Management Plan |publisher=United States Agency for International Development |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref>{{rp|11}}

[[Mangrove]] species found along the coastline include the near-threatened ''[[Ceriops decandra]]''.<ref name="USAIDCristoReiSMP"/>{{rp|9}} [[Coral reef]]s, [[seagrass meadow]]s, and intertidal [[mudflat]]s are also present.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–16}}<ref name="ETO"/>{{rp|4, 14}} The coral reefs off Dili appear to be locally sheltered from the average [[sea surface temperature]] rise from climate change. However, they face some degradation from human activities.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=Catherine J. S. |last2=Roelfsema |first2=Chris |last3=Dove |first3=Sophie |last4=Hoegh-Guldberg |first4=Ove |title=The Condition of Four Coral Reefs in Timor-Leste before and after the 2016–2017 Marine Heatwave |journal=Oceans |date=8 April 2022 |volume=3 |issue=2 |page=164 |doi=10.3390/oceans3020012 |url=https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/oceans/oceans-03-00012/article_deploy/oceans-03-00012.pdf |doi-access=free |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426051359/https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/oceans/oceans-03-00012/article_deploy/oceans-03-00012.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The seagrass beds support [[dugong]]s and [[sea turtle]]s, while [[dolphin]]s and [[whale]]s are found offshore.<ref name="USAIDCristoReiSMP"/>{{rp|10–11}}

There are three protected biodiversity areas within Dili: Behau, [[Cristo Rei Protected Area]], and [[Tasitolu]]. The {{convert|18.1|km|mi}} Cristo Rei Protected Area lies on the mountains separating central Dili and Hera. The {{convert|3.8|km|mi}} Tasitolu area lies near the border of the Dili and Liquiçá municipalities and covers land and some coastal waters. It is being developed as a recreational site and holy area. The large {{convert|274.9|km|mi}} Behau protected area covers much of the sea off eastern Dili, as well as coastal areas in Hera and to the east. Behau is the most recently proposed of the three areas, and the government is considering abolishing it and replacing it with smaller areas. [[BirdLife International]] has identified Cristo Rei Protected Area and Tasitolu as falling within [[Important Bird Area]]s. Development can occur in these areas with the approval of the national government.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4, 2–14, 2–15, 3–10}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/timor-leste |title=Timor-Leste |publisher=biodiversity a-z |access-date=10 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710141718/https://www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/timor-leste |url-status=live}}</ref> Near-threatened bird species found in these protected areas include the [[black cuckoo-dove]], the [[pink-headed imperial pigeon]], and the [[Timor sparrow]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Important Bird Areas in Asia: Key Sites for Conservation |author1=S. Chan |author2=M. J. Crosby |author3=M. Z. Islam |author4=A. W. Tordoff |date=2004 |publisher=BirdLife International |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/info/ibasasia |chapter=Timor-Leste |chapter-url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/IBAs/AsiaCntryPDFs/Timor-Leste.pdf |page=260}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Dili Klimadiagramm.png|thumb|alt=Chart showing temperature with small fluctuations and large differences in precipitation throughout the year|Maximum daily temperatures (red line), minimum daily temperatures (blue line), and precipitation (green bars) changes]]
Dili has a rather dry [[tropical savanna climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Aw''). A rainy season lasts from November to April<!--Pinto2016 says December to May citing Wallace et al. 2012--> and a dry season from May to October. Rainfall is highest in December, averaging {{convert|170|mm|in|2|disp=or}} between 2005 and 2013, and lowest in August, averaging {{convert|5.3|mm|in|2|disp=or}} over the same time period. The overall average is {{convert|902|mm|in|2|disp=or}} annually, although there is significant variation between years.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–1}}

Mean temperatures average around {{convert|26|to|28|°C|°F|1}}. This changes by {{convert|10.8|to|13.8|C-change|F-change|1}} throughout the day, from minimums at around {{convert|20|°C|°F|disp=or}} to maximums at over {{convert|33|°C|°F|1|disp=or}}. There are larger temperature changes during the dry season.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–1, 2–2}} [[Climate change in Timor-Leste|Climate change]] is shifting weather patterns, and may exacerbate extreme weather events.<ref name="Rubrico2022"/> The highest single recorded temperature in the city up to 2013 was {{convert|36|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in November 2011, while the lowest has been {{convert|14|°C|°F|1|disp=or}} in August 2013.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|265}}

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| location     = Dili (1914–1963)
| temperature colour = 
| Jan record high C = 36.0
| Feb record high C = 35.5
| Mar record high C = 36.6
| Apr record high C = 36.0
| May record high C = 35.7
| Jun record high C = 36.5
| Jul record high C = 34.1
| Aug record high C = 35.0
| Sep record high C = 34.0
| Oct record high C = 34.5
| Nov record high C = 36.0
| Dec record high C = 35.5
| year record high C = 36.6
| Jan high C = 31.3
| Feb high C = 31.1
| Mar high C = 31.2
| Apr high C = 31.5
| May high C = 31.3
| Jun high C = 30.7
| Jul high C = 30.2
| Aug high C = 30.1
| Sep high C = 30.3
| Oct high C = 30.5
| Nov high C = 31.4
| Dec high C = 31.1
| year high C = 30.9
| Jan mean C = 27.7
| Feb mean C = 27.6
| Mar mean C = 27.4
| Apr mean C = 27.4
| May mean C = 27.0
| Jun mean C = 26.8
| Jul mean C = 25.5
| Aug mean C = 25.1
| Sep mean C = 25.4
| Oct mean C = 26.0
| Nov mean C = 27.2
| Dec mean C = 27.4
| year mean C = 26.6
| Jan low C = 24.1
| Feb low C = 24.1
| Mar low C = 23.5
| Apr low C = 23.5
| May low C = 22.8
| Jun low C = 21.9
| Jul low C = 20.8
| Aug low C = 20.1
| Sep low C = 20.5
| Oct low C = 21.5
| Nov low C = 23.0
| Dec low C = 23.6
| year low C = 22.4
| Jan record low C = 19.0
| Feb record low C = 16.2
| Mar record low C = 16.5
| Apr record low C = 18.2
| May record low C = 13.2
| Jun record low C = 14.5
| Jul record low C = 12.4
| Aug record low C = 11.8
| Sep record low C = 13.4
| Oct record low C = 16.1
| Nov record low C = 18.0
| Dec record low C = 16.7
| year record low C = 11.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 139.5
| Feb rain mm = 138.7
| Mar rain mm = 132.7
| Apr rain mm = 104.3
| May rain mm = 74.9
| Jun rain mm = 58.4
| Jul rain mm = 20.1
| Aug rain mm = 12.1
| Sep rain mm = 9.0
| Oct rain mm = 12.8
| Nov rain mm = 61.4
| Dec rain mm = 144.9
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan rain days = 13
| Feb rain days = 13
| Mar rain days = 11
| Apr rain days = 9
| May rain days = 6
| Jun rain days = 4
| Jul rain days = 3
| Aug rain days = 1
| Sep rain days = 1
| Oct rain days = 2
| Nov rain days = 6
| Dec rain days = 11
| Jan humidity = 80
| Feb humidity = 82
| Mar humidity = 80
| Apr humidity = 77
| May humidity = 75
| Jun humidity = 72
| Jul humidity = 71
| Aug humidity = 70
| Sep humidity = 71
| Oct humidity = 72
| Nov humidity = 73
| Dec humidity = 77
| year humidity = 75
| Jan sun = 189.1
| Feb sun = 161.0
| Mar sun = 235.6
| Apr sun = 234.0
| May sun = 266.6
| Jun sun = 246.0
| Jul sun = 272.8
| Aug sun = 291.4
| Sep sun = 288.0
| Oct sun = 297.6
| Nov sun = 270.0
| Dec sun = 220.1
| year sun =
| Jand sun  = 6.1
| Febd sun  = 5.7
| Mard sun  = 7.6
| Aprd sun  = 7.8
| Mayd sun  = 8.6
| Jund sun  = 8.2
| Juld sun  = 8.8
| Augd sun  = 9.4
| Sepd sun  = 9.6
| Octd sun  = 9.6
| Novd sun  = 9.0
| Decd sun  = 7.1
| yeard sun = 8.1
| source 1  = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_973900_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Díli, Insel Timor / Ost-Timor
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = 29 January 2016
| archive-date = 21 October 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201021231014/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_973900_kt.pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
}}

===Buildings and monuments===
[[File:Dili cities rivers.png|thumb|upright|Dili Municipality (prior to the separation of Atauro), with sucos considered urban in red]]
The old quarter of the city lies within what is now the city's eastern half.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|5–20}} The original Portuguese settlement occurred in a grid parallel to the shore, and the city has extended along this east-west axis.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|15}} The older parts of the city are the most densely built up, with little available land. The western portion of the city is the location of the airport and has the most recent urban growth.<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|i}} Most infrastructure was destroyed in 1999,<ref name="Vitor2015"/>{{rp|103}}<ref name="Profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.estatal.gov.tl/Documents/District%20Development%20Plans%20and%20Profiles/Dili/Dili%20District%20_eng.pdf|title=Profile of Dili District |publisher=Estatal.gov.tl |access-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408144609/http://www.estatal.gov.tl/Documents/District%20Development%20Plans%20and%20Profiles/Dili/Dili%20District%20_eng.pdf |archive-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>{{rp|2}} including 68,000 homes.<ref name="Cryan2015"/>{{rp|143}} Following rebuilding as of 2010, 71.6% of houses have concrete or brick walls.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–18}} In Hera however, just over 50% of houses were mostly wooden as of 2014.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–20}}

Land rights remain complicated and unresolved as a result of the 2006 crisis, with returns of former residents to the capital having been carried out on an ad-hoc basis. There are disputes between residents who claim land was taken from them by previous regimes, and the national government that has created what is seen as an expansive definition of state land. Developing a formal property system and land register is a key development goal.<ref name="Cryan2015"/>{{rp|143–144}} Those living in houses with this mixed ownership history, perhaps up to 50% of all residents, face heightened risk of eviction.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|289–290}}

Important government buildings which form the core of the city are clustered around the [[Port of Dili]]. The outskirts of the city are the most recently developed, and grew organically without much urban planning.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|15}} The central core (Bairro Central) contains most administrative buildings, and has the most buildings constructed with [[masonry]].<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|59}} It retains many buildings that reflect Portuguese-era architecture.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-5}} To the east of the central government area is the old Chinese area, which still retains a number of Chinese-influenced buildings.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|81-86}}

Portuguese-era buildings are most common in the Motael, Gricenfor, and Bidau Lecidere sucos,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-8}} often stretched along the main road running through the old part of the city, the {{ill|Avenida Nicolau Lobato|de}}.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|75-79}} The main government complex is located at the Largo Infante Dom Henrique, next to the seafront. This location was part of the 1951 urban plan.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|61}} The primary building here is the [[Government Palace, Dili|Government Palace]], consists of three two-story buildings connected by a single arcade which were built at different periods between 1953 and 1969.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|63}} 
Another old building is the [[Municipal Market of Dili|former Market Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hpip.org/en/Heritage/Details/429 |title=Market |publisher=Heritage of Portuguese Influence |access-date=4 July 2024}}</ref>

The government has identified a number of heritage buildings in the city, especially in the old quarter.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–23}} New buildings are being built to house cultural institutions. The Museum and Cultural Centre of Timor-Leste is tasked with hosting the country's cultural artefacts.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|65}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4278&n=1&lang=en |title=Timor-Leste Art and Culture: Future Timor-Leste Museum and Cultural Centre |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714165446/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4278&n=1&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[National Library of Timor-Leste]] is intended to serve as both a library and a national archive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4257&lang=en&n=1 |title=Timor-Leste Art and Culture: The Future National Library and Timor-Leste Archives |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714165445/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4257&lang=en&n=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/meetings/pdf/AR2014_Timor_Leste.pdf |title=National Library of Timor-Leste Annual Report |publisher=Ministry of Tourism |date=February 2014 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414001614/https://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/meetings/pdf/AR2014_Timor_Leste.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:2021-12-16 Sede do Municipio de Dili.jpg|thumb|Dili City Hall]]
Notable churches include the [[Motael Church]], the oldest in the country, which became associated with resistance to Indonesian rule.<ref name="DeGiosa2019"/>{{rp|88}} The [[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]] was built with the intention of being the largest church in Southeast Asia.<ref name="DeGiosa2019"/>{{rp|84}} The [[Cristo Rei of Dili]] is a {{convert|27|m|ft|adj=on}} tall statue of Jesus situated on top of a globe at the end of the eastern [[Cape Fatucama|Fatucama peninsula]].<ref name="USAIDCristoReiSMP"/>{{rp|12}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/tourism-in-timor |title=Tourism in Timor? &#124; Travel + Leisure |publisher=Travelandleisure.com |access-date=12 March 2015 |archive-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708095008/http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/tourism-in-timor |url-status=live }}</ref> It is positioned at the end of a [[Stations of the Cross]] pathway including over 500 steps.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|146}} It was a present from the government of Indonesia during occupation for the 20th anniversary of [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor|East Timor's integration into Indonesia]]. Its height reflects the symbolism of East Timor being Indonesia's 27th province at the time of the monument's construction in 1996.<ref name="DeGiosa2019"/>{{rp|85}}

The Integration Monument commemorates the Indonesian annexation of the territory in 1976. It takes the shape of a statue of an East Timorese warrior in traditional dress breaking the chains round his wrists, deliberate chosen to associate traditional Timorese identity with Indonesian rule. The monument has not been demolished, but is instead now regarded as representing the struggle against both periods of foreign rule.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arthur |first1=Catherine E. |title=Political Symbols and National Identity in Timor-Leste |isbn=978-3-319-98782-8 |pages=74–77 |chapter=Monuments and Memorials: Funu, Terus, and Constructing an East Timorese National Identity |series=Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies |year=2019 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-98782-8_3 |s2cid=158080398 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-98782-8_3 |access-date=22 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195434/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-98782-8_3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[National Stadium (Timor-Leste)|National Stadium]] has two seating stands, one on either side, with grass banks providing space for other spectators. It has a capacity of around 9,000 people. It is often used to host [[association football]], the most popular sport in the country,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/06/27/the-road-to-moscow-how-mongolia-and-timor-leste-kicked-off-a-936-game-odyssey-to-russia/ |title=The road to Moscow: how Mongolia and Timor-Leste kicked off a 936-game odyssey to Russia |publisher=These Football Times |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195434/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/06/27/the-road-to-moscow-how-mongolia-and-timor-leste-kicked-off-a-936-game-odyssey-to-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although infrastructure issues mean the [[Timor-Leste national football team|national team]] must sometimes play home games in other countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fas.org.sg/opponent-spotlight-timor-leste/ |title=Opponent Spotlight: Timor-Leste |publisher=Football Association of Singapore |date=18 November 2018 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525002627/https://www.fas.org.sg/opponent-spotlight-timor-leste/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the past it has been used to host refugees and distribute aid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2006/6/448e91721c/timor-leste-first-phase-emergency-relief-operation-completed.html |title=Timor-Leste: First phase of emergency relief operation completed |last=Pagonis |first=Jennifer |date=13 June 2006 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195434/https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2006/6/448e91721c/timor-leste-first-phase-emergency-relief-operation-completed.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1042317 |title=East Timorese refugees, including crying children, wait at a makeshift camp at Dili stadium after ... |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195442/https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1042317 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1116923 |title=A birds eye view of the Dili Stadium where 18 members of a platoon from Charlie Company, 5/7th ... |publisher=Australian War Memorial |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195436/https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1116923 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Palacio do Governo 2011.jpg|[[Government Palace, Dili]] (Timor-Leste's prime minister's Office)
File:Hindu Tempel Dili04.jpg|[[Pura Girinatha]] [[Balinese Hinduism|Hindu]] temple, built during [[Indonesia]]n occupation
File:2017-03-30 Kathedrale von Dili 1.jpg|[[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili|Dili Cathedral]]
File:110623-F-HS649-551 (5881875275).jpg|[[Cristo Rei of Dili]] atop a summit on [[Cape Fatucama|Fatucama peninsula]] outside of Dili
File:Painel pateo AMRT1.jpg|[[Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum]]
</gallery>

==Administration==
[[File:Sucos Dili.png|thumb|upright|Administration of district Dili (prior to the separation of Atauro)]]
Dili is the administrative centre of the [[Dili Municipality]],<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–4}} serving as both the municipal and national capital.<ref name="AdministrativeDivision"/> Dili itself does not not have a city government, but is governed centrally by the Dili Municipality, along with the [[Hera, Timor-Leste|Hera]] and [[Metinaro]] areas.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} The current president of the Dili Municipality Authority is Gregório da Cunha Saldanha, sworn in on 1 March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-04 |title=Minister of State Administration swears in Gregório Saldanha as the new President of the Dili Municipal Authority |url=https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=36463&lang=en&n=1 |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Government of Timor-Leste |language=en}}</ref>  The municipality has an elected mayor and council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.estatal.gov.tl/English/News/News_7.html |title=MAEOT – News |publisher=Estatal.gov.tl |date=19 February 2009 |access-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408133644/http://www.estatal.gov.tl/English/News/News_7.html |archive-date=8 April 2015}}</ref> 

Timor-Leste's municipalities are divided into [[Administrative posts of Timor-Leste|administrative posts]], and each of these is divided into [[Sucos of Timor-Leste|sucos]]. The central city of Dili is spread over four of the six administrative posts within Dili municipality: [[Cristo Rei Administrative Post|Cristo Rei]], [[Dom Aleixo Administrative Post|Dom Aleixo]], [[Nain Feto]], and [[Vera Cruz Administrative Post|Vera Cruz]]. The Hera suco is the easternmost suco of Cristo Rei. [[Tibar]], to the west of the main city, is the easternmost suco of the [[Bazartete Administrative Post]] in the [[Liquiçá Municipality]].<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–16, 2–17}}

Each suco has a ''chefe''. Those in Dili have less influence over community land than those elsewhere,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–9}} however their elected status gives them greater authority in other areas.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|2}} Each also has a head office. Municipal and national government buildings are concentrated in the city centre, mainly in the sucos of Caicori, Colmera, and Gricenfor.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–12, 3–13}} Sucos, administrative posts, and municipalities are all tasked with setting up a Disaster Management Committee. These are responsible for planning, public awareness, and disaster response.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–2}} The borders of sucos, and the aldeias within them, are often undefined. Reasons for this include the history of displacement, and taboo over formal demarcation.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|12}}

[[Land registration]] is difficult due to the city's tumultuous history, and legal ownership is often unclear.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–8, 3–9}} It is thought that in 1999 existing land records were taken from Dili to Indonesia.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|4}} The new government attempted to set up a system of rent, charging a small fee of $10 a month for those occupying state property. However, in many cases even this could not be paid.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|6}} In 2003 the national government legislated that all previous state property, as well as abandoned properties, belonged to the state. It also set up a system of registration based on occupation.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|5}} Residents can claim land they live in, if there are no objections from others.<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|12}} The 2006 crisis put an end to attempts to enforce rent. Evictions from state property are rare. A cadastral survey began in 2008.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|6}} As of 2014, 70% of the land in Dili had been surveyed, although this information is not public.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–8, 3–9}} Despite this lack of information, most in the city claim ownership of their homes, with 90% of homes considered owned by an individual or by a family.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–20}} Land valuation is often unclear.<ref name="ICG2010"/>{{rp|9}}

The sucos within the four administrative posts in the western Dili Municipality that form the core city are as follows:<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–17}}

'''[[Cristo Rei Administrative Post|Cristo Rei]]'''
* [[Balibar, Timor-Leste|Balibar]]
* [[Becora]]
* [[Bidau Santana]]
* [[Camea]]
* [[Culuhun]]
* [[Hera, Timor-Leste|Hera]]
* [[Metiaut]]

'''[[Dom Aleixo Administrative Post|Dom Aleixo]]'''
* [[Bairro Pite]]
* [[Comoro, Dili|Comoro]]
* [[Fatuhada]]
* [[Kampung Alor]]

'''[[Nain Feto Administrative Post|Nain Feto]]'''
* [[Acadiruhun]]
* [[Bemori]]
* [[Bidau Lecidere]]
* [[Gricenfor]]
* [[Lahane Oriental]]
* [[Santa Cruz, Dili|Santa Cruz]]

'''[[Vera Cruz Administrative Post|Vera Cruz]]'''
* [[Caicoli]]
* [[Colmera]]
* [[Dare, Timor-Leste|Dare]]
* [[Lahane Ocidental]]
* [[Mascarenhas, Dili|Mascarenhas]]
* [[Motael]]
* [[Vila Verde, Dili|Vila Verde]]

==Economy==
[[File:DSCI2951 Timor Plaza.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A white building consisting of ground floor shops with apartments/hotel rooms above|Timor Plaza, the country's first shopping centre]]
The economic situation in Dili is substantially better than that of the rest of the country, and most wealth is concentrated there.<ref name="Ingram2015Introduction">{{cite book |last1=Ingram |first1=Sue |last2=Kent |first2=Lia |last3=McWilliam |first3=Andrew |title=A New Era?: Timor-Leste after the UN |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781925022513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |chapter=Introduction: Building the Nation: Legacies and Challenges for Timor-Leste |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140720/https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|7}} Almost all of the [[Sucos of Timor-Leste|sucos]] of Dili are among those with the country's highest living standards and the greatest access to public services.<ref name="ADB2013sucos"/>{{rp|5}} The Dili district as a whole has a higher significantly higher living standard than any other part of the country,<ref name="ADB2013sucos"/>{{rp|7–9, 21}} and while poverty rates within the sucos of the municipality as a whole range from 8 to 80%,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.statistics.gov.tl/a-gender-sensitive-insight-of-poverty-mapping-for-timor-leste/ |title=A Gender-Sensitive Insight of Poverty Mapping for Timor-Leste |publisher=General Directorate of Statistics |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=15 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715154508/https://www.statistics.gov.tl/a-gender-sensitive-insight-of-poverty-mapping-for-timor-leste/ |url-status=live }}</ref> every suco within the city proper was ranked within the highest level of living standards.<ref name="ADB2013sucos"/>{{rp|7–9, 21}} 57.8% of those in the capital are among those with relatively high levels of wealth, as opposed to 8.7% in rural areas.<ref name="McWilliam2015">{{cite book |last=McWilliam |first=Andrew |editor1-last=Ingram |editor1-first=Sue |editor2-last=Kent |editor2-first=Lia |editor3-last=McWilliam |editor3-first=Andrew |title=A New Era?: Timor-Leste after the UN |date=17 September 2015 |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781925022513 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |chapter=Rural-Urban Inequalities and Migration in Timor-Leste |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA225 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140720/https://books.google.com/books?id=ulSyDQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|226}}

In 2004 18,331 people were working in the agricultural sector, 1,885 in resources and manufacturing, 5,027 in hospitality, 3,183 in finance, real estate, and logistics, 6,520 in government services and security, 879 in home industries, 6,354 for international diplomatic bodies, and 2,142 unknown.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–9}} By 2010, the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]] employed 44% of those working, with government employment providing around 25% of jobs. The [[Primary sector of the economy|primary sector]] is slightly smaller than the government in terms of employment, while the [[Secondary sector of the economy|secondary sector]] remains small.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-3}} The working age population grew by almost 50% from 2004 to 2010, while unemployment declined from 26.9% to 17.4%.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2}} Nonetheless, youth unemployment in the municipality stood at 58% in 2007, above the national average of 43%.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|ii}} The capital attracts younger and educated individuals from the rest of the country.<ref name="Ingram2015Introduction"/>{{rp|8}}

[[File:Caixa Geral de Depósitos-Building-Dili-2009.JPG|thumb|[[Banco Nacional Ultramarino building, Dili]]]]
The city lies within the government's "Northern Regional Development Corridor", which stretches along the coast from the Indonesia border to [[Baucau]]. Within this, it is part of the smaller "Dili-Tibar-Hera" area in which the government plans to develop the service sector.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|117}}<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–24}} The city is also part of what is designated the central tourism zone. Sites related to important historical events are promoted, as well as eco-tourism. [[Whale watching]] is possible off the coast,<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|149}}<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-5}} and there are many [[scuba diving]] sites near the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thecoraltriangle.com/stories/the-dive-frontier-timor-leste-reveals-its-underwater-treasures |title=The Dive Frontier: Timor Leste Reveals its Underwater Treasures |last=Silcock |first=Don |publisher=The Coral Triangle |date=11 August 2015 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719142201/http://thecoraltriangle.com/stories/the-dive-frontier-timor-leste-reveals-its-underwater-treasures |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Some tourism and industrial complexes are being developed within the metropolitan area.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-3, I-4, I-6, 2–12}} There is a large [[informal economy]] that includes some of the officially unemployed residents.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|286, 292}}

Tourism numbers increased from 14,000 to 51,000 from 2006 to 2013.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|273}} Half of visitors arriving at Dili's airport come from three countries: Australia, Indonesia, and Portugal.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–10}}<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|33}} Near the beginning of UN rule, there were at least 9 hotels with 550 rooms.<ref name="Carter2001"/>{{rp|97}} As of 2012, there were at least 14 hotels in the city.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|273}} Most hotels are run by local companies, with few international chains present. Nightly rates are relatively high for the region, partially due to a lack of sufficient tourists to benefit from economies of scale.<ref name="Asia2018">{{cite web |url=https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Timor-Leste-Full-Tourism_Barometer_report_2018.pdf |title=Timor-Leste Tourism Barometer 2018 |publisher=The Asia Foundation |date=July 2018 |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408195434/https://asiafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Timor-Leste-Full-Tourism_Barometer_report_2018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|17}} Important hotels include [[Hotel Timor]] and [[Hotel Dili]].<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|105-106}}

Most large investments come from the public sector, although there is a growing small-scale private sector.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-6}} The Dili municipality is responsible for around 40% of the country's [[Fishery#production|fish production]], most of which is consumed domestically.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|v}} The country's three significant commercial banks operate primarily in Dili.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|155}}

The [[Port of Dili]] is the country's largest.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|x}} It handles the majority of international shipping. There are regular ships to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] (Australia), [[Kota Kinabalu]] (Malaysia), [[Surabaya]] (Indonesia), and [[Singapore]], and less frequent shipping to and from other Indonesian ports. As of 2011, the port processed 200,000 tonnes of goods annually, which had increased by 20% each year for the previous six years. 80% of the goods processed are imports.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|95}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Sprachen Osttimors-en.png|thumb|Dili lies within a predominantly [[Tetum language|Tetum]]-speaking area.]]
The 2022 census found the population of the municipality was 324,269,<ref name="Census2022">{{cite web |url=https://inetl-ip.gov.tl/2023/05/18/main-report-timor-leste-population-and-housing-census-2022/ |title=Main Report Timor-Leste Population and Housing Census 2022 |publisher=National Institute Of Statistics Timor-Leste |date=18 May 2023 |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>{{rp|28}} of which 82.4% were urban.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|29}} The municipality had the largest overall population and the highest growth rate since 2015,<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|28}} although average household size decreased from 6.4 to 5.7.<ref name="Preliminary2022Census">{{cite web |url=https://timor-leste.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/censuspreliminaryresults2022_4.pdf |title=Timor-Leste Population and Housing Census 2022 Preliminary Results |publisher=Ministry of Finance |date=November 2022 |access-date=17 July 2024 |pages=1, 3–6}}</ref> The city contains almost twice as many dwellings as all other urban areas in the country combined.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|63}} The municipality is the most densely populated in the country at 1,425 people per square kilometre, eight times denser than the second most densely populated municipality.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|24}} and Dom Aleixo with 166 thousand people remained the country's most populous administrative post.<ref name="Preliminary2022Census"/> By 2030, the population of the municipality is predicted to reach around 580,000.<ref name="Miranda2015"/>{{rp|15}}

The gender ratio in 2022 was around 103 men for every 100 women, in line with the national average.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|27, 87}} The [[dependency ratio]] of 51 dependents for every 100 economically active individuals is much lower than elsewhere in the country, likely due to the in-migration of younger adults.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|28}} Every other municipality in the country shows a net negative in-migration rate, leading Dili to gain 36.9% of its population through this in-migration.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|40–41}} The literacy rate for those 10 and over was 89.6%.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|32}} Only 5.4% of dwellings had piped water, a toilet, a bath or shower, and a kitchen.<ref name="Census2022"/>{{rp|61–62}}

Due to limited space, a small number of people settled in hilly and mountainous areas starting around 1990,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–1}} especially in southern areas near the national highway.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–9}} However, due to properties being abandoned following the independence vote, much settlement in the 21st century has been into these vacated areas.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–2}} Population density tends to be higher in areas of unplanned settlement than in planned neighbourhoods.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–4}}

The primary local language is [[Tetum language|Tetum]], which was promoted during Portuguese rule and has become an official language of the country.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|3}} Speakers from the other [[languages of Timor-Leste]] are present in the city, where the official language of Portuguese and the working languages of English and Indonesian are also spoken.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carneiro |first1=Alan Silvio Ribeiro |editor1-last=Brunn |editor1-first=Stanley D. |editor2-last=Kehrein |editor2-first=Roland |title=Handbook of the Changing World Language Map |date=23 October 2019 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-030-02438-3 |pages=1455–1468 |chapter=The Dynamic Linguistic Cartography of Dili, Timor-Leste: Negotiating Languages in an Urban Context |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-030-02438-3_16 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-02438-3_16 |s2cid=240984035 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211806/https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-030-02438-3_16 |url-status=live }}</ref> A dialect of Malay-based creole called [[Malay trade and creole languages#Dili Malay|Dili Malay]] is spoken by perhaps 1,000 residents with ancestral links to [[Alor Island]].<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Malay: its history, role and spread |author=Alexander Adelaar |editor1=Stephen A. Wurm |editor2=Peter Mühlhäusler |editor3=Darrell T. Tryon |title=Atlas of Languages of Intercultural Communication in the Pacific, Asia, and the Americas |series=Trends in Linguistics: Documentation |volume=13 |url=https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110819724 |date=1996 |publisher=De Gruyter Mouton |isbn=3110134179 |page=684|doi=10.1515/9783110819724 }}</ref> Migration into the city has led to clustering of incoming migrants into areas with others of similar backgrounds.<ref name="Neupert2007">{{cite web |last1=Neupert |first1=Ricardo |last2=Lopes |first2=Silvino |title=The Demographic Component of the Crisis in Timor-Leste |url=http://www.sneps.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/THE-DEMOGRAPHIC-COMPONENT-OF-THE-EAST-TIMORESE-CRISIS-first-complete-draft.pdf |publisher=London School of Economics |date=2007 |access-date=1 July 2022 |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708223821/http://www.sneps.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/THE-DEMOGRAPHIC-COMPONENT-OF-THE-EAST-TIMORESE-CRISIS-first-complete-draft.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|39}}
<!--HISTORICAL DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2004, the number of dwellings in Dili Municipality was 26,114, while the number of households was 31,702. The population increased from 175,730 to 234,331 between 2004 and 2010, while the average household size increased from 5.5 to 6.7.<ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|2–5}} The gender ratio was 51% male to 49% female.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2}} The 2010 census recorded a population of 193,563 in the areas of [[Dili (district)|Dili district]] classified as urban, with a population of 234,331 in the whole district including rural areas such as Atauro and Metinaro.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4144&n=1&lang=en |title=2010 Census Results: Timor-Leste's population grows slower than projected |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |date=22 October 2010 |access-date=22 July 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722134148/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=4144&n=1&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Within the Dili metropolitan area, the total population was 223,793 as of 2010, containing 33,163 households with an average size of 6.7. The gender ratio is slightly more unbalanced, with 53% male and 47% female.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2}} The population density is about 33.4 people per hectare within the metropolitan area's habitable land.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-6}} The most populous of the administrative posts is Dom Aleixo, which by itself contained 105,154 people in 2010.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–5}}

Between 2001 and 2004, the population of Dili Municipality grew by 12.58%, with only 54% of the district's inhabitants born in the city. 7% were born in Baucau, 5% each in Viqueque and Bobonaro 4% in Ermera, and the remainder in other districts or overseas.<ref>Census of Population and Housing Atlas 2004</ref> The population growth of the Dili Municipality from 2004 to 2010 represented 40% of the country's total population growth, and is driven in part by internal migration, especially that of younger people.<ref name="McWilliam2015"/>{{rp|226}} Net migration into the municipality during this period was 24,000 people.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–5}} The working age population, those aged 15 to 64, made up 63% of residents in the metropolitan area in 2010. Many of these people were under 29.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I–2}}
-->

==Education==
[[File:Dili International School celebrating culture.jpg|thumb|Students at the [[Dili International School]]]]
Education is more common in Dili Municipality than elsewhere in the country. The attendance rate at primary schools increased from 37% in 2004 to 73% in 2010.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–6}} As of 2010, 86% of those five or older in the municipality had attended primary school, equivalent to the literacy rate.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2}} Within the metropolitan area, education rates are highest in Nain Feto and Vera Cruz, where 88% are either attending or have attended primary school. These are followed by Dom Alexio at 87%, and Cristo Rei at 81%. Tibar, lying outside of Dili Municipality, has the lowest at 75%.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–7}}

As of 2013, there were 108 schools in Dili, Hera, and Tibar, including primary, secondary, and specialist schools. Of these, 61 were public and 47 private. This equated to 4.8 schools per 10,000 people.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–15}} In 2011, 43% of students in the Dili municipality studied in private schools.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|21}} Many private schools are run by the Catholic Church, for example, [[Don Bosco Training Center]], including 32% of all schools in the Dili Municipality.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–14}}
<!--Schools include [[St. Joseph's High School, Timor-Leste|St. Joseph's High School]] (Colégio de São José) and [[28 de Novembro Public Secondary School]]. There are five international schools in Dili: St Anthony's International School, which is Timorese owned and managed but teaches in English and uses a modified Australian curriculum; a Portuguese school by the name of [[Escola Portuguesa Ruy Cinatti]]; an Australian managed school by the name of [[Dili International School]]; an American curriculum school called [[QSI International School of Dili]]; and the Maharlika International School (Formerly Dili Education & Development Center), a Philippine International School. Founded in 2009, [[Hadahur Music School]] is the first school for music in Timor-Leste.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}-->

Seventy-six per cent of the country's university students study in the municipality. This is responsible for some of the internal migration to the city.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-2}} The [[National University of Timor-Leste]] created a "University City" master plan to develop the Hera area.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–16}}
<!--Other universities situated in Dili include the private undergraduate university, [[Universidade da Paz]] (UNPAZ), [[Universidade Dili]] (UNDIL) and Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), a community-based, non-profit education institution.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}-->

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Dili OSM.png|thumb|The urban area of Dili proper in 2020, with [[Tibar]] to the west. The large [[Comoro River]] is crossed by just two vehicle bridges.]]

Up to 70% of the country's infrastructure was destroyed in 1999, including almost the entire electrical grid, and much of the water infrastructure.<ref name="WSP2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.wsp.org/sites/wsp.org/files/publications/WSP-Timor-Leste-WSS-Turning-Finance-into-Service-for-the-Future.pdf |title=Water Supply and Sanitation in Timor-Leste |publisher=Water and Sanitation Program |date=April 2015 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711141146/https://www.wsp.org/sites/wsp.org/files/publications/WSP-Timor-Leste-WSS-Turning-Finance-into-Service-for-the-Future.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|4}} Dili's airport and port were rehabilitated in the six years following this, along with electricity and telecommunications.<ref name="MOF2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.mof.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/A_Joint_Ministry_of_Finance_and_World_Bank_Report_on_Timor-Leste_Public_Expenditure_Review_Infrastructure.pdf |title=Timor-Leste Public Expenditure Review: Infrastructure |publisher=Ministry of Finance |date=March 2015 |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181401/https://www.mof.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/A_Joint_Ministry_of_Finance_and_World_Bank_Report_on_Timor-Leste_Public_Expenditure_Review_Infrastructure.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|6}} The rapid population growth of the city has put a strain on some of its infrastructure services.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|1–1}} Pre-independence laws prohibiting building within {{convert|100|m|ft}} of water bodies are not enforced, with population growth leading to structures such as housing being built in flood-prone areas, including along dry river beds and canals.<ref name="Rubrico2022"/>

===Utilities===

====Electricity====

In the early years of UN rule, electricity was provided by the Comoro power station, which has a 16 MW diesel generator. By 2004, there were 23,000 connections in the city creating a demand of 12.5 MW. At the time, Dili was the only location in Timor-Leste with 24-hour electricity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29761/power-sector-plan-timor-leste.pdf |title=Power Sector Development Plan For Timor-Leste |publisher=Asian Development Bank |date=September 2004 |access-date=30 June 2021 |pages=3, 9–10 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806131750/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29761/power-sector-plan-timor-leste.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="JICA2011"/>{{rp|x}}<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|87}} Electricity demand peaked from 19:00 to 22:00.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mof.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/A_Joint_Ministry_of_Finance_and_World_Bank_Report_on_Timor-Leste_Public_Expenditure_Review_Infrastructure.pdf |title=Comoro Power Station Environmental Management Plan |publisher=Electricidade de Timor-Leste |date=18 June 2004 |access-date=30 June 2021 |page=4 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181401/https://www.mof.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/A_Joint_Ministry_of_Finance_and_World_Bank_Report_on_Timor-Leste_Public_Expenditure_Review_Infrastructure.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2009, Comoro was producing 32 MW,<ref name="MOF2015"/>{{rp|153}} and by the year after that 92.3% of Dili's households used electricity for lighting purposes.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–17}} Cooking remained carried out using firewood by 66.2% of households, with electricity being used by just 10.1%.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–18}} Non-payment of electricity bills has caused some funding problems. In 2011, only 40% of commercial recipients of electricity paid their electricity bills.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|87}}

In November 2011, the diesel generators at the new Hera Power Station became operational, producing 119 MW.<ref name="MOF2015"/>{{rp|145–146}} This replaced the operations of the Comoro station, with Hera able to produce electricity using 17% less fuel.<ref name="MOF2015"/>{{rp|153}} A new substation was created to supply Dili,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-12}} and transmission lines link Dili to other cities and towns along the northern coast,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dfdl.com/resources/news/the-future-of-hydropower-development-in-timor-leste/ |title=The future of hydropower development in Timor Leste |publisher=DFDL |date=6 May 2015 |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182252/https://www.dfdl.com/resources/news/the-future-of-hydropower-development-in-timor-leste/ |url-status=live }}</ref> part of a ring surrounding the country.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–39}} As of 2016, Dili's peak power demand reached 42.11 MW.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-12}} The development of electricity infrastructure since independence has significantly reduced electricity costs, which moved from 249c per [[kilowatt-hour]] in 2002 to 5c per kilowatt-hour in 2014.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-13}}

====Telecommunications====

[[Telecommunications]] activity in the country is primarily carried out using mobile phones, with most of the country's 3000 [[landline]]s found in Dili and used mainly for government and business. There are no [[submarine communications cable]]s connecting to the country, so internet access is supplied via satellites. This is expensive, and internet usage nationally was only just above 1% in 2016.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-13}} The government has approved the installation of the Timor-Leste South submarine Cable (TLSSC), connecting to Darwin in Australia,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2020/11/04/timor-leste-sumbmarine-fiber-optics-cable-approved/ |title=Timor-Leste Sumbmarine Fiber-Optics Cable approved |last=Freitas |first=Domingos Piedade |work=Tatoli |date=4 November 2020 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711132141/http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2020/11/04/timor-leste-sumbmarine-fiber-optics-cable-approved/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="UNESCAP2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Timor%20Leste%2C%20item%203.pdf |title=Bridging the digital divide for inclusive broadband access Timor-Leste |publisher=UNESCAP |date=August 2020 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806132130/https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/Timor%20Leste%2C%20item%203.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as another cable connecting to the Indonesian island of [[Alor Island|Alor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=19677&n=1&lang=en |title=Government signs letter of intent for the installation of submarine fiber optic cable |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |date=19 March 2018 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711132347/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=19677&n=1&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2020, there were 3 telecommunications companies in the country: Telemor, [[Telkomcel]], and [[Timor Telecom]].<ref name="UNESCAP2020"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://en.tatoli.tl/2023/09/13/three-telecommunication-operators-in-tl-attend-2023-batic-conference/01/ |title=Three Telecommunication Operators in TL attend 2023 BATIC conference |author=José Belarmino De Sá |work=Tatoli |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>

====Water and sanitation====
[[File:2020-05-05 Kanal in Aimutin.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Very shallow water flowing through a concrete channel flanked by banana trees|A canal in western Dili]]
Access to clean water and sanitation is an issue for some households.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|84–85}} Over $250&nbsp;million was invested by the UN and other organisations to build Dili's water infrastructure. Existing water sources and transportation infrastructure are considered sufficient to meet the immediate needs of the city, although work continues to improve quality and reliability.<ref name="Vitor2015"/>{{rp|109}} In 2007, 25% of residents received 24 hours of water.<ref name="ADB2018">{{cite web |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/38189/38189-022-pcr-en.pdf |title=Timor-Leste: Dili Urban Water Supply Sector Project |publisher=Asian Development Bank |date=September 2018 |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713150043/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-documents/38189/38189-022-pcr-en.pdf |url-status=live }}<!--from https://www.adb.org/projects/38189-022/main--></ref>{{rp|1}} As of 2013, while 36% of households were connected to the water supply system, half Dili received less than six hours of water a day.<ref name="ADB2013water">{{Cite web |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/82547/45227-001-tacr.pdf |title=Timor-Leste: Strengthening Water Sector Management and Service Delivery, Dili Water Supply System PPP Technical Analysis |last1=Costin |first1=Graham |last2=Dewhirst |first2=Rob |publisher=Asian Development Bank |date=March 2013 |access-date=4 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183419/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/project-document/82547/45227-001-tacr.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|5}} Furthermore, water quality was irregular, with boiling advised.<ref name="ADB2013water"/>{{rp|16}} By 2015, it remained the case that less than 30% of those in Dili had access to a continuous water supply.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|56}} In 2018, water remained available on average from 4 to 8 hours.<ref name="ADB2018"/>{{rp|16}}

Water is managed by the [[National Directorate of Water and Sanitation Services]] (Dirasaun Nasional Sistema Agua no Saneamentu/DNSAS), which derives 60% of water supplies from groundwater. This groundwater extraction began in the 1980s, and accelerated after independence. Private entities also pump water from the [[aquifer]] without regulation.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|264, 272–274, 277}} Despite the inconsistency of supply, 91% of those in urban areas have some access to safe drinking water,<ref name="McWilliam2015"/>{{rp|226}} with sources including pumps, public taps, and wells and [[borehole]]s.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–17}} Some households have tanks installed to alleviate the impact of service interruptions.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–10}} Half of the city's water comes from a local aquifer, and there are four [[water treatment plant]]s at the southern edges of the city.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–9, 5–10}} [[Water tariff]]s were put in place in 2004, but were removed in 2006 following the [[2006 East Timorese crisis]].<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|14}} By 2010 {{convert|27.821|m3}} of water was pumped from the aquifer each day, almost as fast as the aquifer could refill.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|274}} Trials for water tariff re-introduction began in 2013.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|16}} Increasing usage has led to the aquifer, the Dili Groundwater Basin, being unable to match demand during the dry season. An increasing number of wells has increased demand, while development altering drainage patterns has limited recharge rates. The aquifer is constrained by the ocean on one side and mountains on the others. Downstream areas also face saltwater intrusion.<ref name="Pinto2016">{{cite book |last1=Pinto |first1=Domingos |last2=Shrestha |first2=Sangam |editor1-last=Shrestha |editor1-first=Sangam |editor2-last=Pandey |editor2-first=Vishnu Prasad |editor3-last=Thatikonda |editor3-first=Shashidhar |editor4-last=Shivakoti |editor4-first=Binaya Raj |title=Groundwater Environment in Asian Cities: Concepts, Methods and Case Studies |date=11 February 2016 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |isbn=9780128031674 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aV6dBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA263 |chapter=Groundwater Environment in Dili, Timor-Leste |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140849/https://books.google.com/books?id=aV6dBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA263 |url-status=live }}<!--Do not use for early history, copied from Wikipedia--></ref>{{rp|263–264}}

Dili is the location of the country's water testing laboratory, and thus its water quality is regularly monitored.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|28, 55}} The lack of manufacturing in the city is thought to have limited potential water pollution. However, pollution risks emerge from the common discharge of untreated household water,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–19}} and leakage from latrine pits into the soil<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|41}} and relatively high water table.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|43}} Water stores in households, as well as from some wells, has been found to have bacteriological contamination.<ref name="Pinto2016"/>{{rp|282}} As of 2010, only 16% of households emptied their latrine pits.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|41}} Hera and Tibar lack water treatment plants, with residents relying on boreholes and delivery by water trucks.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–10, 5–11}} As of 2010, daily demand was 32,000&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> in Dili proper, 520&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> in Hera, and 220&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> in Tibar.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–11}}

[[File:2020-10-11 Culuhun B - Estrada de Culuhun.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=Disconnected blue water pipe discharging water at around head height|A water pipe in the east of the city]]
Drainage infrastructure is insufficient to handle the wet season, with drains often being blocked and resultant flooding being common.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|72}} This creates property damage and health concerns.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|84–85}} Thirty-six water channels lie within the city in addition to its rivers. These often collect rainwater; however, the growing urbanisation of the city is reducing [[Infiltration (hydrology)|infiltration]] capacity, worsening flood risks.<ref>{{Citation |first1=Octávio |last1=Almeida |first2=J Piedade |last2=Brás |first3=G |last3=Da Cruz |contribution=The Geography of Dili and the Flood Control Problems |contribution-url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298787277_THE_GEOGRAPHY_OF_DILI_AND_THE_FLOOD_CONTROL_PROBLEMS |series=The 2nd Makassar International Conference on Civil Engineering |date=August 2015 |page=1 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412142537/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298787277_THE_GEOGRAPHY_OF_DILI_AND_THE_FLOOD_CONTROL_PROBLEMS |url-status=live }}</ref> There is no city-wide sewerage system.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4}}<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|5}} As of 2010, only 30.3% of households had access to a sceptic tank. The most common sewage disposal system was pit latrines, which were used by 50.7% of households.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|2–18}} Among households with toilets, 97% were flushed through the manual pouring of water.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|41}} Wastewater is often collected from some areas by trucks.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–18}} Some wastewater is treated in ponds in Tasitolu.<ref name="Ximenes">{{cite web |url=https://www.uncrd.or.jp/content/documents/RT2_06_Timor_Leste.pdf |title=Waste Management in Timor-Leste |last=Ximenes |first=Carlos |publisher=Ministry of Economy and Development |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711131540/https://www.uncrd.or.jp/content/documents/RT2_06_Timor_Leste.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Dili also has one of the country's two [[Fecal sludge management|septage treatment facilities]].<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|19}} A Sanitation and Drainage Masterplan was created for the city in 2012, envisioning the creation of eight wastewater treatment systems in the city by 2025.<ref name="WSP2015"/>{{rp|15}}

As of 2014, Dili produces 108 tons of [[solid waste]] per day, over half of which is [[Biodegradation|biodegradable]]. The government-funded waste collection system covers Cristo Rei, Dom Aleixo, Nain Feto, and Vera Cruz, with waste being collected by a mixture of government trucks and private trucks contracted by the government. Collected waste is disposed in a landfill in Tibar,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-11, 5–28, 5–29}} which was established during the Indonesian period.<ref name="Ximenes"/> Metal collected by [[waste picker]]s is sold to Malaysia and Singapore for recycling, while some biodegradable waste is composted by a private company. Some waste is [[Incineration|burnt]].<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-11, 5–28, 5–29}} Waste collection schedules are variable, with some areas receiving daily collection and some receiving none. Collection is less frequent in Hera and Tibar than in Dili proper.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–21}}

There are 14 hospitals around the Dili metropolitan area, nine in Dom Aleixo, three in Vera Cruz, one in Cristo Rei (in Hera), and one in Tibar. Dom Aleixo also has two health centres, with Cristo Rei having one health centre in Dili proper, and Nain Feto also having a health centre.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|3–18, 3–19}} The National Hospital of Timor-Leste is located in Dili, catering to [[Primary health care|primary]] and secondary [[health care]]. A specialist hospital is planned to be constructed by 2030 to deal with diseases, such as cancer, that are currently treated outside of the country.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|38}}

===Transport===

====Land====
[[File:Dili-TL A3 District Map 110813-001.png|thumb|2013 road map of Dili Municipality, with the old city of Dili in the top-right inset]]
As of 2015, Dili Municipality had {{convert|1475|km|mi}} of roads, of which half were classified as National, District, or Urban.<ref name="MOF2015"/>{{rp|106}} The roads heading into and out of Dili to the East and West carry over 1,000 non-motorbike vehicles daily.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|72}} In addition to the Eastern and Western national roads, a third national road extends south from the city.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|73}} Within Dili, there is rising congestion.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|72}} Poor road quality is the most common cause of accidents and delays.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–13}} Many roads are unpaved, and within the old quarter, streets are often one-way. The only four lane roads in the city are National Road A01 and Banana Road.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–1}} As of 2016, there were four [[roundabout]]s and 11 intersections with traffic lights.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–2}} Few routes travel along the east-west axis, and for most of the time since independence there was [[CPLP Bridge|only one vehicular crossing]] across the Comoro river.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–1}} This bridge was expanded from two lanes to four lanes in June 2013.<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|1}} The two-lane [[Hinode Bridge]] was opened upriver in September 2018, connecting Banana road to National Road No 03.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jica.go.jp/easttimor/english/office/topics/press180913_en.html |title=Opening of the Comoro Bridge III |publisher=JICA |date=13 September 2018 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711152119/https://www.jica.go.jp/easttimor/english/office/topics/press180913_en.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is expected that this bridge will also be expanded to four lanes in the future.<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|iii}}

The usual form of public transportation within the city is the [[minibus]], which are operated by private companies that purchase route franchises from the government. Each vehicle usually has a capacity of ten people. There are no formal schedules and few official bus stops.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–4, 4–5}} Fares are cheap, at $0.25. Dili is also served by a fleet of air-conditioned blue taxis, whose drivers are expected to speak Tetum and English.<ref name="Asia2018"/>{{rp|16}}

Street names are in Portuguese, as are many official signs labelling locations. Tetum is used for more informational signage. English and Indonesian are rare in official signage, but are more common elsewhere. Chinese is used on some informal signage, while non-Tetum Timorese languages are not used.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor-Leech |first1=Kerry Jane |title=Language choice as an index of identity: linguistic landscape in Dili, Timor-Leste |journal=International Journal of Multilingualism |date=14 June 2011 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=24–31 |doi=10.1080/14790718.2011.583654 |s2cid=145011382 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14790718.2011.583654 |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=9 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209151348/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14790718.2011.583654 |url-status=live }}</ref> Even under Indonesian rule, during which the use of [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] was banned, Portuguese street names like ''Avenida Marechal Carmona'' remained unchanged, although they were prefixed with the [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] word ''Jalan'' or 'road'.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=m4C6AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Jalan+Avenida+Marechal+Carmona%22++ ''Indonesia: A Travel Survival Kit''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140804/https://books.google.com/books?id=m4C6AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Jalan+Avenida+Marechal+Carmona%22++ |date=27 March 2023 }}, Joe Cummings, Lonely Planet, 1990, pages 657–658</ref>

====Sea====
[[File:ANL Timor Trader, Dili, 2018 (02).jpg|thumb|alt=Red and yellow cargo ship being unloaded by cranes|Cargo ship in the [[Port of Dili]] in 2018, before it was converted to a passenger port]]
The [[Port of Dili]] has a total berth length of {{convert|289.2|m|ft}}. Depths alongside the berth range from {{convert|5.5|m|ft}} to {{convert|7.5|m|ft}}.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-8}} This port was previously the only international cargo reception port in the country, but its capacity is insufficient to meet import needs.<ref name="Vitor2015"/>{{rp|107, 110}} The [[Tibar Bay Port]] was thus planned to handle all cargo shipping, leaving the current Dili port to become a dedicated ferry terminal.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–24}} Tibar Bay Port was expected to be built starting in 2015, and scheduled for opening in 2020.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–24}} On 3 June 2016 the government signed a [[Public-private partnership]] agreement with [[Bolloré]], giving the company a 30-year least on the new port. A construction tender was awarded to the [[China Harbour Engineering Company]] in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mof.gov.tl/press-release-tibar-bay-port-ppp-project/?lang=en |title=Press Release – Tibar Bay Port PPP Project |publisher=Ministry of Finance |date=15 December 2017 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711133451/https://www.mof.gov.tl/press-release-tibar-bay-port-ppp-project/?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction began on 30 August 2019, with completion scheduled for August 2021. As of December 2020, construction was 42% complete, with delays including Chinese workers returning to China during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Timor-Leste|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The port was then expected to open in April 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gpm.gov.tl/en/portu-foun-tibar-sei-halao-operasaun-iha-abril-2022/ |title=New Tibar port starts operation in April 2022 |publisher=Prime Minister Office |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=11 July 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119012446/https://www.gpm.gov.tl/en/portu-foun-tibar-sei-halao-operasaun-iha-abril-2022/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The port received its first ships on 30 September that year,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bollore-transport-logistics.com/medias/communiques-de-presse/timor-port-lance-les-activites-du-premier-port-en-eaux-profondes-de-tibar-bay |title=Timor Port lance les activités du premier port en eaux profondes de Tibar Bay |publisher=Bolloré Transport & Logistics |language=French |date=3 October 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061805/https://www.bollore-transport-logistics.com/medias/communiques-de-presse/timor-port-lance-les-activites-du-premier-port-en-eaux-profondes-de-tibar-bay |url-status=live }}</ref> and was officially inaugurated on 30 November 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ajot.com/news/timor-leste-inaugurated-the-new-deepwater-port-of-tibar-bay-a-new-maritime-gateway-to-the-asia-pacific-region |title=Timor Leste inaugurated the new deepwater Port of Tibar Bay, a new maritime gateway to the Asia-Pacific Region |work=American Journal of Transportation |date=1 December 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061814/https://www.ajot.com/news/timor-leste-inaugurated-the-new-deepwater-port-of-tibar-bay-a-new-maritime-gateway-to-the-asia-pacific-region |url-status=live }}</ref>

A [[dry port]] has been created {{convert|8|km|mi}} from the main Port of Dili, and there is a naval port in Hera.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-9}} Cargo operations in Dili Port halted from 1 October 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=31233&lang=en&n=1 |title=Tibar Bay Port construction reaches 92% and enters into operation on September 30th |publisher=Government of Timor-Leste |date=21 September 2022 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015182756/http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=31233&lang=en&n=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> A twice-weekly ferry service operates between Dili and [[Oecusse]], and a ferry travels between Dili and [[Atauro]] once a week.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|95}}<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–17}} The Dili Port serves as the main link for these locations with the rest of the country.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-3}} These ferries deposit people and vehicles onto a [[slipway]], rather than a dedicated [[Berth (moorings)|berthing]].<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–15}}

====Air====
[[File:Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport terminal, 2018 (02).jpg|thumb|[[Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport|Dili International Airport]]]]
The [[Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport]], named after independence leader [[Nicolau Lobato]],<ref>[http://visiteasttimor.com/good-to-know/arriving-at-airport Arriving at Dili´s Airport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162321/http://visiteasttimor.com/good-to-know/arriving-at-airport/ |date=12 June 2018 }}, VisitEastTimor.</ref> is located in the city.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–36}} It serves regular flights to [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] (Australia), [[Denpasar]] (Indonesia), and [[Singapore]].<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|99}} In 2014, it served 198,080 passengers and 172 tons of cargo. It has one runway, which is {{convert|1850|m|ft}} long and {{convert|30|m|ft}} wide, lying {{convert|8|m|ft}} above mean [[sea level]]. A lack of runway lighting prevents night-time landings, so the airport operates from 6&nbsp;am to 6&nbsp;pm. The passenger terminals were originally domestic terminals during the Indonesian period, leaving them ill-designed to handle international customs and immigration.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–26, 4–27, 4–29, 4–36}} Due to the size of the runway, only medium-sized planes such as the A319 and the B737 can be accommodated, and there is limited space for aircraft parking. The runway is constrained by the sea and the Comoro river, although there are plans to extend the runway through [[land reclamation]] and/or by bridging the river.<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|4–32, 4–33, 4–35}} A new international terminal is also planned.<ref name="Vitor2015"/>{{rp|107}} Despite this, it is thought the airport may be able to handle capacity requirement until 2030.<ref name="Asia2018"/>{{rp|13}}

This is the only functioning international airport in Timor-Leste, though there are airstrips in Baucau, Suai and Oecusse used for domestic flights. Until recently, Dili's airport runway has been unable to accommodate aircraft larger than the [[Boeing 737]] or [[C-130 Hercules]], but in January 2008, the Portuguese charter airline [[EuroAtlantic Airways]] operated a direct flight from [[Lisbon]] using a [[Boeing 757]], carrying 140 members of the [[Portuguese National Republican Guard|Guarda Nacional Republicana]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.euroatlantic.pt/html/en_29_01_2008.pdf |title=euroAtlantic, the first Portuguese commercial company lands at Díli Airport transporting GNR (Portuguese militarised police force) military staff to Timor |website=www.euroatlantic.pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627103021/http://www.euroatlantic.pt/html/en_29_01_2008.pdf |archive-date=27 June 2008}}</ref>

==Culture==
Within the city, cultural difference exist not only between different ethnolinguistic groups, but between more established residents of the city, and recent immigrants who retain different cultural practices. Legal traditions reflecting Portuguese and Indonesian rule do not always align with customary practices, such as in the recognition of marriages.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Silva |first1=Kelly |last2=Simião |first2=Daniel |title=Coping with "traditions": the analysis of East-Timorese nation building from the perspective of a certain anthropology made in Brazil |journal=Vibrant: Virtual Brazilian Anthropology |date=June 2012 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=364–369 |doi=10.1590/S1809-43412012000100013 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Those who migrate internally into Dili retain cultural and identity links to their rural areas of origin, which are passed down through generations.<ref name="Scambary2019">{{cite book |last1=Scambary |first1=James |title=Conflict, Identity, and State Formation in East Timor 2000 – 2017 |date=15 May 2019 |publisher=Brill |isbn=9789004396791 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CzGbDwAAQBAJ |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326152317/https://books.google.com/books?id=CzGbDwAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|53–57}} Urban residents often return to rural areas for traditional ceremonies, especially during the dry season, and elections.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|283}}

Local communities have important traditional houses, as well as sacred natural areas including specific trees, rocks,<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|I-4}}<ref name="MPW2014"/>{{rp|16}} and wells, as well as a number of ''Uma Lulik'' (sacred houses).<ref name="USAIDCristoReiSMP"/>{{rp|12–13}} As in the rest of the country, village chiefs continue to have some influence in Dili's communities.<ref name="Berlie2017"/>{{rp|13}} However, with suco populations being more diverse in Dili than in rural areas, suco chief power is not as established or effective. Community links are instead more common at aldeia levels, or even established through religious or economic links instead.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|291}} New arrivals often settle near those from the same area of origin, leading Dili's urban population to have formed into a patchwork of different communities.<ref name="Scambary2019"/>{{rp|53–57}} Migration back and forth from Dili to rural areas is not uncommon. Furthermore, while rural sucos are often somewhat culturally homogenous and linked by family relationship, these administrative boundaries do not map with the cultural settlement patterns of modern Dili.<ref name="Scambary2021">{{cite book |chapter=Geographies of Power: Implementing Community Driven Development in Urban Dili, Timor-Leste |title=Rural–Urban Dichotomies and Spatial Development in Asia |author1=James Scambary |author2=Joana de Mesquita Lima |series=New Frontiers in Regional Science: Asian Perspectives |volume=48 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-1232-9_12 |date=2 July 2021 |pages=275–295|doi=10.1007/978-981-16-1232-9_12 |isbn=978-981-16-1231-2 }}</ref>{{rp|276–277}}

There is some more homogeneity at the aldeia level due to families settling near relatives, although this is also not consistent. Aldeia nearer the outskirts, or in areas formerly populated by Indonesian civil servants, are both more densely populated and particularly heterogenous both ethnolinguistically and socioeconomically.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|284, 288}} In diverse aldeias, smaller communities sometimes develop with their own informal leadership.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|289}} Some urban areas exhibit occupational or status-based segregation.<ref name="Scambary2019"/>{{rp|58}} Core urban areas are dominated by relatively wealthy families, often those that were considered mestiços or [[assimilado]]s under Portuguese rule.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|286}} Some aldeias mostly consist of those of foreign descent, or of transient students.<ref name="Scambary2021"/>{{rp|289}}

Dili contains a number of local and often youth collectivities. While sometimes described as [[gang]]s, many function more as social collectivities integrated into their local community. Such groups have a long history, many forming as an act of resistance against Indonesian rule.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scambary |first1=James |title=Conflict, Identity, and State Formation in East Timor 2000 – 2017 |date=15 May 2019 |publisher=Brill |isbn=9789004396791 |pages=116–118 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CzGbDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 |chapter=Gangs or Glee clubs? Urban Dili-based Groups |access-date=15 July 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327140735/https://books.google.com/books?id=CzGbDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA116 |url-status=live}}</ref> Some street art continues to reflect a theme of resistance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://coconuts.co/travel/the-coco-travel-guide-to-dili-a-weekend-of-nature-culture-history-and-food-in-the-seaside-timor-leste-capital/ |title=The Coco Travel Guide to Dili: A weekend of nature, culture, history and food in the seaside Timor-Leste capital |last=Raynor |first=Sophie |date=13 January 2020 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319071738/https://coconuts.co/travel/the-coco-travel-guide-to-dili-a-weekend-of-nature-culture-history-and-food-in-the-seaside-timor-leste-capital/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The composition of these groups often reflects areas of rural origin,<ref name="Scambary2019"/>{{rp|58}} and the broader East-West divide that exists within the country.<ref name="Neupert2007"/>{{rp|8}}

The national government has crafted a culture policy that includes the provision of cultural facilities in Dili and aims to have the city reflect diverse cultural influences.<ref name="UNESCOCreativity">{{cite web |url=https://en.unesco.org/creativity/story/dili-timor-leste-1 |title=Dili, Timor-Leste |publisher=UNESCO |date=3 April 2022 |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403071111/https://en.unesco.org/creativity/story/dili-timor-leste-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The development of cultural facilities has included the building up of cultural institutions such as libraries and museums, and the development of audio-visual multimedia centres through which information will be more accessible.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|63–68}} The ''City of Peace'' campaign seeks to maintain stability in the capital by bringing youth together for common discussions and by promoting a shared sense of national pride. Large events in which locals can work together on shared goals and security services are given roles are important parts of this campaign. One important event is the Dili ''City of Peace'' marathon, first held in June 2010, following which it became an annual event. This includes a full marathon, a half marathon, and a seven-kilometre "Run for Peace".<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|143, 161}}

Dili had no cinema until 2011, when one opened in a new shopping centre known as Timor Plaza.<ref name="SDP2011"/>{{rp|68}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timor-leste.emb-japan.go.jp/files/000357088.pdf |title=Timor-Leste Investment Guide |publisher=Ernst & Young |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Craig2014">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/2014/jul/10/east-timors-first-feature-film-a-quest-for-truth-on-a-shoestring-budget |title=East Timor's first feature film: a quest for truth on a shoestring budget |author=Natalie Craig |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2014 |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref> The country's first locally produced feature film, ''[[Beatriz's War]]'', was released a couple of years later.<ref name="Craig2014"/> In 2019, the city hosted the first Dili International Film Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pixelasia-dili.com/ |title=PixelAsia We Make it |publisher=PixelAsia Productions Dili |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714170127/https://www.pixelasia-dili.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timorleste.tl/what-to-do/events-festivals/ |title=Events & Festivals |date=28 July 2016 |publisher=Ministry of Tourism |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723180305/https://www.timorleste.tl/what-to-do/events-festivals/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was repeated in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dili.film/ |title=Dili International Film Festival |publisher=Dili International Film Festival |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714170133/https://dili.film/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timorleste.tl/dili-international-film-festival-diff-2020/ |title=Dili International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020 |date=22 December 2020 |publisher=Ministry of Tourism |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714170128/https://www.timorleste.tl/dili-international-film-festival-diff-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Radio is very popular, and the city has 13 [[FM broadcasting|FM radio stations]].<ref name="JICA2016"/>{{rp|5–51}}

==International relations==

===Diplomatic missions===
{{Main article|List of diplomatic missions in Timor-Leste}}

====Embassies====

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* {{flagcountry|Australia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timorleste.embassy.gov.au/|title=Australian Embassy Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005429/https://timorleste.embassy.gov.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Brazil}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dili.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/|title=Embaixada do Brasil em Díli|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122185253/http://dili.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Brunei}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.bn/timor_leste-dili/theme/home2.aspx|title=Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Timor Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005430/http://www.mfa.gov.bn/timor_leste-dili/theme/home2.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|China}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tl.chineseembassy.org/eng/|title=Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005428/http://tl.chineseembassy.org/eng/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Cuba}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/timor-leste/embassy-cuba-timor-leste|title=Embassy of Cuba in Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005437/https://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/timor-leste/embassy-cuba-timor-leste|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Indonesia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kemlu.go.id/dili/id|title=Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia di Dili Republik Demokratik Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201205220823/https://kemlu.go.id/dili/id/pages/media_tl/1738/etc-menu|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Japan}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timor-leste.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html|title=Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005428/https://www.timor-leste.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{col-2}}
* {{flagcountry|South Korea}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/tl-en/index.do|title=Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005430/https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/tl-en/index.do|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Malaysia}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kln.gov.my/web/tls_dili|title=Embassy of Malaysia, Dili|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005430/https://www.kln.gov.my/web/tls_dili|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|New Zealand}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/timor-leste/new-zealand-embassy/|title=New Zealand Embassy|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005427/https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/asia/timor-leste/new-zealand-embassy/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Philippines}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dilipe.dfa.gov.ph/|title=Embassy of the Philippines Dili, Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=25 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225211622/https://dilipe.dfa.gov.ph/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Portugal}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dili.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/|title=Embassy of Portugal Dili, Timor-Leste|access-date=2023-09-21|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921213512/https://dili.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/pt/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|Thailand}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dili.thaiembassy.org/en/index|title=Royal Thai Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005428/https://dili.thaiembassy.org/en/index|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagcountry|United States}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tl.usembassy.gov/|title=U.S. Embassy in Timor Leste|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005427/https://tl.usembassy.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{col-end}}

====Consulate generals====

* {{POL}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.pl/web/indonesia-en/bilateral-relations-timor-leste|title=Timor Leste|website=gov.pl|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918213936/https://www.gov.pl/web/indonesia-en/bilateral-relations-timor-leste |archive-date=18 September 2021 }}</ref>

====Honorary consulates====

* {{MEX}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/indonesia/index.php/es/contacto|title=Consulados Honorarios|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005427/https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/indonesia/index.php/es/contacto|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{UK}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-timor-leste|title=British Embassy Timor Leste|website=GOV.UK|access-date=2022-01-29|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129005426/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-timor-leste|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{CHL}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.consulado.gob.cl/consulados/consulados-en-el-exterior/timor-leste/dili/consulado-honorario-en-dili|title=Consulado Honorario en Dili|website=Consulado.gob.cl|access-date=2024-11-19}}</ref>

===Twin towns – sister cities===
Dili is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the following places:

* {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Canberra]], Australia (2004)<ref name="FA">{{cite web |date=15 May 2013 |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Timor-Leste: Index Page(English) |url=http://www.mfac.gov.tp/tlcommunity.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503105456/http://www.mfac.gov.tp/tlcommunity.html |archive-date=3 May 2013 |access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dili, Timor-Leste – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate |url=http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/communication/cir/dili |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309070546/http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/communication/cir/dili |archive-date=9 March 2014 |access-date=12 March 2015 |publisher=Cmd.act.gov.au}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Portugal}} [[Coimbra]], Portugal (2002)<ref>{{cite web |title=Geminações de Cidades e Vilas: Coimbra |url=http://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M3000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129082428/http://www.anmp.pt/anmp/pro/mun1/gem101l0.php?cod_ent=M3000 |archive-date=29 January 2016 |access-date=13 February 2015 |publisher=Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses |language=pt}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]], Australia (2003)<ref name="cod">{{cite web |title=Darwin's Sister Cities |url=http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/sister-cities |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218002540/http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/council/sister-cities |archive-date=18 February 2011 |access-date=23 September 2012 |work=[[City of Darwin]]}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Portugal}} [[Lisbon]], Portugal (2001)<ref name="uccla.pt">{{cite web |title=Díli &#124; UCCLA |url=http://www.uccla.pt/membro/dili |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031058/http://www.uccla.pt/membro/dili |archive-date=1 December 2017 |access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Macau}} [[Macau]], China (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-30 |title=Say hello to Dili, Macao's newest sister city |url=https://macaonews.org/news/city/macau-dili-timor-leste-twin-cities-macao/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Macao News |language=en}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Philippines}} [[Manila]], Philippines (2011)<ref>{{cite web |title=Manila, Bacoor forge sisterhood pact |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1006608 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729225303/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1006608 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |access-date=10 September 2019 |website=Philippine News Agency}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|India}} [[Margao]], India (2001)<ref name="uccla.pt" />
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Okinawa (city)|Okinawa]], Japan (2005)<ref name="FA" />
* {{Flagicon|CPV}} [[Praia]], Cape Verde (2001)<ref name="uccla.pt" />
{{clear}}
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| [[Barcelona]]
| [[Catalonia]]
| Spain
| June 2008<ref name="FA"/>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2015}}
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| [[Sydney]]
| [[New South Wales]]
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| September 2010<ref name="FA"/>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2015}}
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== See also ==

* [[List of people from Dili]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* 2004 census results: {{cite web |url=https://www.statistics.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Dili_en.pdf |title=Priority Tables for Dili District |publisher=National Statistics Directorate |date=2008 |access-date=30 June 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026112645/https://www.statistics.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Dili_en.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |title=Município Dili: Esboços Mapa Suco no Aldeia Timor-Leste |date=2019 |publisher=[[Ministry of Finance (Timor-Leste)|Ministério das Finanças]] / Direcção Geral de Estatística / Direcção Nacional Cartografia Estatísticas |location=Dili |url=https://www.statistics.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Dili_Aldeia_AtlasCont-x-7.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117114938/https://www.statistics.gov.tl/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Dili_Aldeia_AtlasCont-x-7.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2020 |language=tet}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Dili}}

{{Dili}}
{{District capitals of Timor-Leste}}
{{List of Asian capitals by region}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dili| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Capitals in Asia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Dili District]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1520]]
[[Category:1520 establishments in the Portuguese Empire]]
[[Category:1520 establishments in Asia]]