Time Zone |
Europe/Helsinki |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Mariehamn, the capital and only city of the Finnish Aland Islands, is located in the southern part of Finland on the Baltic Sea and is the political, economic and cultural center of the autonomous region. As the smallest city in Finland, it has a population of about 12,000 and the official language is Swedish. The city is known for its peaceful seaside scenery and unique maritime culture, with many well-preserved wooden buildings, a maritime museum and historical landmarks such as Mariehamn Castle. The economy is based on shipping, tourism and agriculture, and the city attracts a large number of tourists in the summer to enjoy the sun, sand and sea activities, making it an ideal place to experience the slow Nordic life.
Ames is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of the capital city of Des Moines, and is one of the county seats of Boyd and Story counties, as well as the state's most important educational and livable city. As the home of Iowa State University (ISU), Ames has been deeply tied to the university since its founding in 1888, and the university is nationally renowned for its agricultural engineering, veterinary medicine, materials science and other disciplines, infusing the city with a strong academic and innovative atmosphere. With the university's resources, Ames has developed into a center for biotechnology, high-end manufacturing and aerospace research, with leading research institutions such as the National Advanced Driving Simulator Laboratory. With a population of approximately 66,000 (2020 data), the city has been repeatedly recognized as one of the safest and most livable areas in the nation, combining urban convenience with a small-town friendliness that attracts numerous academic conferences and tourists each year.