Situated on the tiny island of Timor between the Timor and Banda Seas lies a 5800-square-mile plot of land named Timor-Leste. It’s possible you’ve never even heard of this country, as its influence isn’t very powerful on the global scene, but its rich culture and history are worth diving into.

During the 16th century, the Portuguese ruled over many of the island nations in between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They controlled Macau, parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, and Timor-Leste. The Portuguese established many trading posts with the goals of making money and spreading Catholicism. The Timorese economy was largely based on sandalwood, coffee, and farming, and remained under Portuguese control for over 400 years. Then, during World War 2, the Japanese took control for a brief period of time, leading to high casualties among the local population. However, this didn’t last long, as Portugal would reclaim East Timor and finally withdrew from the country in 1975. After a stint of Timorese independence, they simply couldn’t catch a break, as Indonesia took over the tiny nation for the next 25 years.

Timor-Leste’s path to independence started in 1999, when international pressure pushed Indonesia to allow a UN-sponsored independence referendum. Around 80% of the population voted for independence, leading to violent reprisals from pro-Indonesian militias. The UN and Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping force restored order, and on May 20, 2002, East Timor became a fully independent nation, with Xanana Gusmão as its first and current president. Since their independence, Timor-Leste has had some political struggles but remains a democracy. Their economy relies heavily on oil and gas revenues from the Timor Sea, but tourism and agricultural exports contribute as well.

Interestingly enough, Timor-Leste has several unique geographical features. Its exclave of Oecusse is home to around 80 thousand individuals and is completely separated from the country by Indonesia’s Timor Barat or West Timor. This 300-square-mile plot of land is home to beautiful mountains and beaches. Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, is in the Northern part of the country, but when you look at a map, you’ll notice a small island above the mainland, also named Dili. This confusion is due to the island, actually named Atauro Island, being administratively under the municipality of the capital city of Dili. Another quirk about Timor-Leste is that it’s the only Asian country where Portuguese is an official language. When looking at the various cities, many have Portuguese names, stemming from Portuguese colonization in the 1500s.

Timor-Leste is certainly a beautiful country with gorgeous mountains, beaches, and coral reefs. Its bustling population of 1.3 million covers an area of 80 thousand square kilometers. It’s Asia’s hidden gem for tourism, and if you’re looking for an adventure, Timor-Leste should be at the top of your list.