East Timor is composed of 13 provinces. The centuries of Portuguese occupation has left its traces everywhere in the country there are remnants of colonial architecture and Portuguese forts. During the Indonesian occupation period and during the fighting in 1999, however, were destroyed many villages and towns that are now being slowly rebuilt. Many houses are built in traditional style, which varies by region. Houses are built from materials available in the area such as grass, bamboo, tree trunks and palm leaves on stilts, some of which are 2 meters high. The ceilings are high and mostly run on roofs or in the form of a rectangular hive.

Dili was the capital of Portuguese East Timor and is now the capital of the new state. Even in Dili, there are colonial architecture and a large Portuguese fortress built in the year 1627. There is also the State Museum of East Timor, which was founded in 1995, and has survived about a tenth of its collections. The collections include valuable religious carvings, wooden sculptures, traditional crafts, musical instruments and paintings.

The largest part of the city was destroyed in 1999 and the remaining buildings bear traces of the struggles and conflicts. Under the leadership of UNTAET, the most important government buildings have been rebuilt. In Dili, there are many Catholic churches, and a large statue of Christ is near Cape Fatucama on a mountain top. Outside the city there are several beautiful beaches, the most popular of 3 km is located east of Areia Branca (‘White Sand’).

Baucau is the second largest city in East Timor and in spite of the devastation is still very attractive, with Portuguese architecture and Japanese occupation of the caves from the Second World War. Due to its geographical location is pleasantly cool and the beaches of Baucau, about 5 km from the city are breathtaking. The drive along the coast from Dili to Baucau takes about 4 hours and offers splendid views of clear water and beautiful beaches.

Oekussi

The province is politically Oekussi to East Timor is geographically and culturally, however, part of the management of Indonesia West Timor. During the fighting Oekussi was destroyed almost 95%. The small population lives in scattered hamlets. The capital Pantemakassar was the first Portuguese settlement in Timor and as such has a special significance for the East Timorese. Is a sleepy little town of Pantemakassar situated between mountains and sea. About 10 meters from the beach is a coral reef, offering outstanding opportunities for diving and snorkeling offers.

1.5 km outside the city lies Fatusuba, an old fortress that has survived the devastation of 1999. In the fortress there is a shrine, take place regularly at the regional celebrations.