Time Zone |
Asia/Colombo |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+5.5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Africa/Sao_Tome |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura was the capital of ancient Sri Lanka and an important Buddhist shrine. With a history of over 2,500 years, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Its core attractions include massive brick stupas, the ruins of ancient palaces and the sacred Bodhi Tree - said to have originated from a branch of the tree on which the Buddha rested at the time of his enlightenment.
One of the best-preserved ancient cities in South Asia, Anuradhapura boasts landmarks such as the Ruvanvirisaya Stupa, which attracts pilgrims from Buddhists around the globe. The city plan showcases early hydraulic engineering achievements that supported the development of ancient civilizations through a complex system of reservoirs.
Present-day Anuradhapura is divided into the archaeological zone, which contains temples, stupas and other historical sites, and the modern city. Tourists can visit sites such as the Jetavanarama stupa and experience a cultural journey through time and space. Strict protection measures are taken to ensure that the monuments are protected from natural erosion and human damage.
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in west-central Africa, consisting of the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and the surrounding islets, with the capital, São Tomé, located in the northeastern part of São Tomé. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, about 200 kilometers from the African continent, the country was colonized by Portugal in the 15th century and became independent in 1975, with Portuguese as the official language and an economy based on agriculture (cocoa, palm oil) and tourism. It should be noted that "Java" is not a city or region of the country; Java is the main island of Indonesia, with cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, and has nothing to do with São Tomé and Príncipe, possibly due to a confusion of names.