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 |
Pacific/Guadalcanal |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+11 |
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 on the island of New Georgia in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, Munda is an important town and tourist hub in the country. As the economic center of the Western Province, Munda is known for its World War II historical sites and world-class diving spots.
Munda is situated in a natural harbor on the atolls of the Ruse Islands and has one of the main domestic airports in the Solomon Islands, Munda Airport, which connects the capital, Honiara, to the islands. The surrounding waters are known for their crystal clear 'Grand Central Station' dive area, which attracts divers from all over the world.
Munda was an important base for the Japanese during World War II, and remnants of the Battle of Cape Munda in 1943 remain today, including Japanese artillery positions and American landing sites. The local population is predominantly Melanesian in culture and retains traditional canoe making and weaving techniques.
The economy is based on fishing, copra export and tourism. Visitors can experience World War II shipwreck diving, rainforest hiking and traditional village visits. The surrounding coral reef ecosystem is classified as a global biodiversity hotspot and is home to over 500 species of reef fish.