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/Efate |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+11 |
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.
Banglai is the capital of the Sanma Province in the Republic of Vanuatu and is located next to a natural deep water harbor on the east coast of Santo Island. As the administrative and commercial center of the province, the city is characterized by tranquil coastal scenery and colonial architecture, surrounded by dense rainforest and traditional villages.
Backed by Vanuatu's highest peak, the 1,879-meter-high Mount Tabwe Masana, Bang Rai is home to world-class dive sites such as the famous SS President Coolidge shipwreck site. The local Melanesian culture is well preserved, with weekly traditional markets to experience handicrafts and kava culture. Ruins of World War II-era U.S. military bases are still scattered around town.
As the tourist gateway to Santo Island, Bang Rai provides a transportation hub to Champagne Beach and the Blue Lagoon. The economy is based on coconut cultivation, fishing and eco-tourism, and in recent years has evolved into a supply depot for international sailing. The city's infrastructure is relatively simple and retains the laid-back atmosphere typical of South Pacific islands.