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/New_York |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-4 |
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.
Meridian is not located in the state of Georgia, but is an important city in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Mississippi and is the county seat of Lauderdale County. The city is located in the Gulf Coast region, about 90 miles from the state capital of Jackson, and has a population of about 40,000, making it the sixth largest city in Mississippi.
Founded in the mid-19th century, Meridian quickly developed into a major transportation hub due to the railroad interchange, and is known as the "Queen City. It was an important strategic location during the Civil War and has a large number of surviving Victorian buildings. Today, the city maintains a three-dimensional transportation network of railroads, highways and a regional airport.
The city's economy is based on healthcare, manufacturing and retail, with several major medical centers. Culturally it is known for its rich blues music heritage and is home to many musicians. Specialty events such as the Meridian Helen Keller Festival are held annually, and the city's Marks Museum of Art and state parks attract many visitors.
Meridian is home to several institutions of higher education, including Meridian Community College. Surrounded by dense pine forests, the city enjoys a mild subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The downtown area is being revitalized in recent years through urban renewal projects, preserving its historic character while developing modern businesses.