Geography

The coast of Oekusi (Oecussi). Photo: SETAI.

The Paichau mountain. Photo: Pedro Pires de Matos.

The island is characterized by a mountain strip with a east-west orientation that divides the country in a north coast, generally hotter and more irregular, and a south coast, with larger plains and a milder weather. The country's highest peak is in Mount Ramelau, at 2960m, followed by four other locations going above the 2000m mark: Mount Cablaque, in the border of the Ermera and Ainaru (Ainaro) districts, Mount Meriquen and Mount Loelaco, near the border, and Mount Matebian, between Baukau (Baucau) and Vikeke (Viqueque).

Despite being a tropical country, its morphology increases the temperature amplitude from 15º Celsius registered in the mountain areas, to 30º Celsius in Dili (Díli) and the Eastern regions.

The country is subject to the monsoon regime between November and May, when it rains the most and both humidity and temperature get to their maximum values. The dry season, from June to October, is the best season to visit the country, as both temperatures and precipitation are lower.

This heterogeneity contributes to the varied landscapes one can enjoy in Timor-Leste, be it the mountain areas or the plains and savannahs, or even the jungle, the coconut tree forests or the rice paddies. The small annual variation in the relatively high temperatures registered in the northern and eastern coasts of Timor-Leste, add to the year-round possibility of enjoying its beautiful beaches.