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 |
Indian/Mayotte |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
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.
Handrema is the capital and largest city of the French overseas department of Mayotte, located in the eastern part of the main island of Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. As the administrative, economic and cultural hub of the region, the city blends African Swahili traditions with French colonial flavor.
Handrema is located on the coastal plain of a volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems. Adjacent to one of the largest enclosed lagoon in the world, the city is an important destination for eco-tourism with its unique turtle habitat and rainforest landscape.
Creole culture is predominant in the area, with French as the official language and the Mayotte dialect spoken on a daily basis. Mosques and Catholic churches can be found throughout the city, and an active weekly open-air market filled with traditional handicrafts such as spices and wood carvings reflects the intersection of Arab, African and European cultures.
The economy is based on public services, fishing and spice cultivation. Visitors can explore colonial architecture, dive the coral reefs, or participate in the grand annual traditional dance festival. As part of the European Union in France, it uses the euro and has excellent infrastructure but retains a laid-back island rhythm.