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 |
Europe/Lisbon |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+1 |
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.
Machico is a seaside town in the northeast of the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, and the second oldest city on the island, founded in 1420 by the explorer João Gonçalves Zarco. Once the site of the first Portuguese landing on Madeira, it is steeped in history, with the 15th-century Mahiku Castle and St. John the Baptist Church in the old town bearing witness to the splendor of the colonial period. The city is blessed with natural beauty, with Mahiku Beach in the east being one of the few natural beaches on the island, with its soft golden sandy shores set against the azure waters, ideal for swimming and water sports. Surrounded by dense subtropical vegetation, hiking enthusiasts can explore the nearby cliff walks overlooking the magnificent coastline. As the centerpiece of Madeira's "Gold Coast", Mahikou combines historical charm with coastal energy, making it an ideal destination for experiencing Madeira's original flavor.