Timor Leste

The National Flag of Timor Leste

The flag of Timor Leste was first used during the nations independence in 1975 when Portugal pulled out of its former colony. However, later in the year, their much larger neighbour, Indonesia, invaded and declared Timor Leste as its 27th province.

The independence campaign continued, until finally, in 1999, the UN sponsored an act of self-determination, and Timor Leste finally became completely independent on May 20, 2002.

The red on the flag represents the nations struggle for self-determination, the yellow represents colonialism in the nations history, the black triangle represents "the obscuritanism that needs to be overcome." The star represents the light that guides the nation, and is white, to represent peace.