Timor-Leste culture is strong, unique and reflects many different influences, traditional animist beliefs.

Timor-Leste traditional music, dance and story-telling is a fundamental part of its culture, heritage and very engaging to watch.  

Traditional crafts include pottery, wood and ivory carving reflecting the traditional cultural values, plaiting, coir production, and basket making.

Timor Leste is a relatively new country, but it belongs to numerous international sport associations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The IOC board has granted full recognition to the East Timorese Olympic Committee (COTL).  

The most popular sport in East Timor is football, however some other sports like cycling, martial arts, weightlifting and badminton are also quite popular.

Relatively new to the international sporting scene, Timor-Leste entered the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics with a four person team as Independent Olympic Athletes.

In the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics was the first formal entry of Timor-Leste in the competition.

Competing in the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games for the first time the nation did not receive any medals, however returning in the 2005 Philippines Southeast Asian Games they received three bronze medals in the Arnis tournament.

An area of natural beauty the island is home to many caves, valleys and mountains as well as vast forests and important coral reefs.

The climate is tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons.

The majority of rain falls between December to March with an average annual rainfall of over 75 inches.

The temperature remains relatively stable all year round at around 35 °C.