thumb|upright|left|Jesus Backside Beach, east of Dili The main city lies within an area of flat lowlands of less than 100m altitude, mostly between 0 and 60m, and a slope under 15 degrees. This includes an alluvial plain, and a number of beaches line the coast. The soil underneath this plain is quaternary alluvium. The distance between the sea and the mountains reaches a maximum width of only , and the surrounding mountains slope near the city at angles of 20 degrees or higher. On either side of the core urban area are mountain ridges extending from the southern range to the coast, leading to urban development spilling over onto areas of flat land on the other sides of these spurs. Tibar lies on the opposite site of the western range, while Hera lies on the opposite side of the eastern range. Another spur encloses Hera on its east.
thumb|upright|left|Jesus Backside Beach east of Dili The main city lies within an area of flat lowlands of less than 100m altitude, mostly between 0 and 60m, and a slope under 15 degrees. This includes an alluvial plain, and a number of beaches line the coast. The soil underneath this plain is quaternary alluvium. The distance between the sea and the mountains reaches a maximum width of only , and the surrounding mountains slope near the city at angles of 20 degrees or higher. On either side of the core urban area are mountain ridges extending from the southern range to the coast, leading to urban development spilling over onto areas of flat land on the other sides of these spurs. Tibar lies on the opposite site of the western range, while Hera lies on the opposite side of the eastern range. Another spur encloses Hera, on its east.