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/Guadeloupe |
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.
La Désirade, a dependency of the overseas department of Guadeloupe, is located in the eastern part of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, about 8 kilometers from the main island of Guadeloupe. As a French overseas territory, it follows the French language, the euro and retains a strong French cultural imprint. The island is about 11 kilometers long and only 2 kilometers wide, with a predominantly limestone plateau, steep cliffs and hidden coves along the coastline, and well-preserved original landscapes, making it an ideal destination for eco-tourism and secluded vacations. The island is home to about 1,600 people, who make their living through fishing and agriculture, and live in a simple and slow pace of life. Visitors can explore the ruins of a colonial windmill, dive the coral reefs, or hike to the top of Mount Misery, 276 meters above sea level, for a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. Although far from the hustle and bustle of the main island, La Desirade is a low-key, charming jewel in the Guadeloupe archipelago, thanks to its unique geology and French colonial charm.