Time Zone |
Europe/Helsinki |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
Africa/Sao_Tome |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Located on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia in northwestern Finland, Kemi is an important gateway city to Lapland, just an hour's drive from the Arctic Circle. This small seaside town of 19,000 attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique polar landscapes and world-famous ice architecture.
Kemi's most famous landmark is the Ice Castle, rebuilt every winter, a magical castle made of sea ice that includes a hotel, church and art gallery. Visitors can also experience an icebreaker trip on the Sampo, where they can feel the shock of ice breaking up on the frozen sea and take part in the unique activity of floating on the ice.
As an aurora spot, Kemi is home to the Northern Lights from September to March. In the summer, the spectacle of the Midnight Sun takes place, and outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing can be enjoyed during the white nights. The city is also home to Havisanda, the longest food street in Northern Europe, offering authentic Lappish specialties.
Kemi is easily accessible by plane or train from Helsinki. The best seasons to visit are December to April (ice activity) and June-August (Midnight Sun). It is advisable to book accommodation in ice hotels in advance and prepare cold weather gear for extreme temperatures of -30°C.
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.