Timor-Leste is a country in Southeast Asia. It forms half the island of Timor with Indonesia's West Timor. Australia is the country's southern neighbour, separated by the Timor Sea, 45 minutes from Darwin.
Timor-Leste was colonised by Portugal in the 16th century until 28 November 1975, when Fretilin declared the territory's independence. Nine days later, it was invaded and occupied by Indonesia. In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory. Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century on 20 May 2002.