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Satellite map of Dili

Research Site Manager: Dr Damian Grenfell

As the commercial and political centre of East Timor, Dili is a small North-facing coastal city that looks directly out to Atauro island and the two Indonesian islands of Wetar and Alor. The Eastern end of the bay is dominated by 'Christo Rei', a massive cliff-top mounted statue of Christ sitting on a globe of the world. The Western end of the bay gives way to small coves and rocky beaches all the way down to the Indonesian border at Batugade. Situated on a narrow strip of land, Dili's backdrop is dominated by quickly rearing mountains that lead to the central highlands.


Background

The Portuguese first made Dili the capital of their colonial activities in 1769. Bombed by allied forces during the Japanese occupation of World War Two, the Portuguese resumed their presence in Dili following the war.

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