Time Zone |
Asia/Tehran |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3.5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+4.5 |
Time Zone |
Africa/Sao_Tome |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Hormuz is an island city in the south of Iran, located at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, and is part of Hormozgan Province. The island covers an area of about 42 square kilometers and is known for its unique red soil and salt mounds, often referred to as the "Rainbow Island". Strategically located, Hormuzgan was historically a key node in the Persian Gulf trade routes, and remains a choke point for global oil transportation.
Khormuj has spectacular red beaches and colorful hills with an ochre-red hue due to its rich iron oxide content. The local economy is based on fishing, salt mining and tourism, and visitors can experience traditional fishing boat trips and see wild flamingos. The ruins of a 16th-century Portuguese castle have been preserved on the island, reflecting the colonial past. Residents are mostly engaged in handicrafts, such as making artistic bottles from colored sand.
The city controls the Strait of Hormuz, a global energy lifeline through which about one-third of seaborne oil passes. Despite the scarcity of resources, the location has allowed for the development of transshipment trade. In recent years, the Iranian government has promoted eco-tourism projects, such as the construction of geoparks, to foster sustainable development. With its natural wonders and geographic value, Khormouj has become a potential specialty tourist destination in Iran.
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.