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/Comoro |
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.
Ntsaweni is the capital of the Union of the Comoros, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located in the southwestern part of the island of Grande Comore. As the political, economic and cultural center of the country, the city is home to the presidential palace, government agencies and foreign embassies, and has a population of about 54,000 (2022). Its name means "little sun" in Comorian, reflecting the warm tropical maritime climate.
Ntchaweni is situated close to the Indian Ocean, backed by the Kartala volcano, and has a unique landscape of black sand beaches. The city has an average annual temperature of about 26°C, with a dry season (May-October) and a rainy season (November-April). The nearby waters are known for their coral reef ecosystems, which are home to sea turtles and tropical fish.
The economy is dominated by the spice trade (vanilla, cloves) and fishing, with handicrafts of wood carving and weaving being quite distinctive. As a major Islamic cultural center, the city is dotted with mosques, and the traditional festival of "The Great Marriage" has been inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The port of Moroni is an important maritime node connecting East Africa with Madagascar.
The Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport is located 20 kilometers from the city, providing direct access to major East African cities. Visitors can explore the Arab-style architecture of the old town, hike the volcano or experience traditional canoeing. Tropical fruits such as coconuts and pineapples are abundant in the region, and seafood cuisine is unique.