Time Zone |
Africa/Sao_Tome |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Pacific/Rarotonga |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-10 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
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.
Arutanga is the former name for Avarua, the capital of the Cook Islands, located on the north coast of Rarotonga in the South Pacific. As the political, economic and cultural center of the Cook Islands, this small picturesque town blends Polynesian traditions with the imprint of its colonial past.
Once the administrative center of the British colonial administration in the 19th century, Arutanga is home to a coral stone church and colonial buildings dating from the 19th century. The local museum has a collection of canoes and traditional artifacts used by Maori chiefs, and the annual Constitution Celebration in July hosts great dance competitions and traditional feasts.
Surrounded by coconut palms and volcanic peaks, the city boasts a pristine beach known as Murder Bay. Visitors can hike through the rainforest to Timanga Falls or experience snorkeling in Muri Lagoon. The open-air market on Saturday mornings is the ideal place to sample local delicacies such as grilled fish and papaya salad.
Connected to major cities in New Zealand and Australia via Rarotonga International Airport, the city relies heavily on bicycles or motorcycles. The best time to travel is during the dry season from May to October, and Chinese citizens enjoy visa-free entry for 31 days.