Time Zone |
Africa/El_Aaiun |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+0 |
Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Located in the western part of the Western Sahara region, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Laayoune is the largest city and de facto administrative center of the region, currently controlled by Morocco. A former Spanish colonial capital, Laayoune is a fusion of Arab, Berber and Spanish cultures, with modern and traditional architecture. Located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, the climate is arid with little rain, hot summers and mild winters. The local economy is based on fishing, phosphate mining and services, with a population of about 200,000, mostly Arab and Berber. Despite the international controversy over the status of Western Sahara, Laayoune remains an important transportation hub and economic center in the region, attracting commerce and population movements from surrounding areas.
Ames is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the capital city of Des Moines, and is one of the county seats of Boyd and Story counties, as well as the state's most important educational and livable city. As the home of Iowa State University (ISU), Ames has been deeply tied to the university since its founding in 1888, and the university is nationally renowned for its agricultural engineering, veterinary medicine, materials science and other disciplines, infusing the city with a strong academic and innovative atmosphere. With the university's resources, Ames has developed into a center for biotechnology, high-end manufacturing and aerospace research, with leading research institutions such as the National Advanced Driving Simulator Laboratory. With a population of approximately 66,000 (2020 data), the city has been repeatedly recognized as one of the safest and most livable areas in the nation, combining urban convenience with a small-town friendliness that attracts numerous academic conferences and tourists each year.