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 |
America/St_Lucia |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-4 |
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.
Located in the southwestern part of St. Lucia, Choiseul District, with its capital city of Soufrière, is a district that combines the country's natural wonders with its historical heritage. With the World Natural Heritage Site of Mount Piton as its centerpiece, the twin volcanic peaks and surrounding rainforest form a unique ecosystem, while the active Soufrière Hills Volcano and natural sulfur springs attract visitors from around the globe. The coast is dotted with black and white sand beaches such as Anse La Rue, making it an ideal destination for snorkeling and eco-tourism. Historically, the remains of 18th century French colonial Creole architecture and sugar plantations still speak of Caribbean colonial culture. With a local economy based on banana and coconut cultivation, a thriving fishing industry and eco-tourism, Choiseul epitomizes the charm of St. Lucia's "Island of Nature".