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Ilheu das Rolas, São Tomé and Principe
Ilheu das Rolas, an island on the equator, off the southern tip of São Tomé Island, São Tomé and Principe.
Image: Maria Cartas
 

___ Sao Tome and Principe


Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
Location map of Sao Tome and Principe. Where in Africa is Sao Tome and Principe?
Location map of Sao Tome and Principe
A virtual guide to Sao Tome and Principe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, an archipelago of volcanic origin in the Gulf of Guinea close to the equator, located about 320 km (200 mi) west of Gabon on Africa's mainland. Principe island lies west of Equatorial Guinea. The island nation shares maritime borders with Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria.

The combined area of the archipelago is just 964 km², this is about twice the size of Andorra, or more than five times the size of Washington, DC.

With a population of 178,700 (in 2016), São Tomé and Príncipe is the second least populated African country after the Seychelles, as well as the smallest Portuguese-speaking country. Capital and largest city is São Tomé. Spoken languages are beside Portuguese, Forro, Angolar, and some Principense Creole.



Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe


Country Profile



Background:
Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century.

Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and several failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy.


related countries: Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Portugal
 
 

Official Name:
República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
short form: S. Tomé e Príncipe
int'l long form: Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
abbreviations: R.D.S.T.P., STP

ISO Country Code: st

Time:
Local Time = UTC
Actual Time: Sun-Mar-17  22:32

Country Calling Code: +239

Capital City: São Tomé

Other Cities: Trinidade, Santana, Angolares, Neves, Santo Antonio (capital of Principe).

Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal).

Geography:
Location: Western Central Africa; islands straddling the equator in the Gulf of Guinea west of Gabon.
Area: 1 000 sq. km. (386 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Two small, volcanic islands.

Climate: Tropical, with wet and dry seasons, influenced by the mountainous topography.

People:
Nationality: Sao Tomean(s).
Population: 178,700 (2016)
Ethnic groups: Mixed African, Portuguese-African.
Religions: Christian 80%.
Languages: Portuguese (official).
Literacy: 68%

Natural resources: Fish, hydropower, petroleum (not yet exploited).

Agriculture products: Cocoa, coconuts, copra, palm kernels, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, beans, poultry.

Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing, palm oil.

Exports - commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil (2010 est.)

Exports partners: Netherlands 29.2%, Belgium 22.4%, Spain 15.5%, USA 6.6%, Nigeria 5.1% (2015)

Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Imports partners: Portugal 65.2%, China 8.1%, Gabon 7.3% (2015)

Currency: Dobra (STD)



Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Official Sites of Sao Tome and Principe


Presidência da República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe
Official website of the Presidency of São Tomé and Príncipe (under construction).

Assembleia Nacional de São Tomé and Príncipe
Official website of São Tomé and Príncipe's National Assembly (in Portuguese).

Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Comunidades de São Tomé e Príncipe
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities of São Tomé e Príncipe.

Diplomatic Missions:
Embaixada de São Tomé e Príncipe em Portugal
Embassy of São Tomé and Príncipe in Portugal.


Statistics
Instituto Nacional de Estatística
São Tomé and Príncipe in figures (in Portuguese).


Maps

Map of Sao Tome and Principe
Political map of Sao Tome and Principe.


Google Earth Google Earth São Tomé and Príncipe
Searchable map and satellite view of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Google Earth Google Earth Sao Tome
Searchable map and satellite view of São Tomé and Príncipe's capital.

Political Map of Africa
The 54 countries of Africa.
Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.


Old buildings in São Tomé, capital of São Tomé and Príncipe
Some old buildings in São Tomé, capital of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Image: Helena Van Eykeren
 

News


Diário Téla Nón
Daily news (in Portuguese)
Diário de São Tomé e Príncipe - Jornal Transparência
Portugal based website with news from São Tomé and Príncipe (in Portuguese)

Rádio Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe
The national broadcaster.


International News Sources
Expresso África
São Tomé and Príncipe related news (in Portuguese)
IRIN News
UN press agency with the latest news from Sao Tome and Principe.

Radio
Rádio Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe
Website of the national broadcaster.
 

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Arts & Culture

Sorry. Despite of a rich culture there is no such site online by now.
 

Business & Economy

CST - Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicações
ISP and Telecommunication of São Tomé and Príncipe.


Nigeria São Tomé & Príncipe Joint Development Authority
The Joint Development Zone (JDZ) is an area of overlapping maritime boundary claims that will be jointly developed by the two countries.
 
Travel and Tour Consumer Information


Destination Sao Tome and Principe - Travel and Tour Guides


Discover Sao Tome and Principe: accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, biking, hiking, diving, tours and much more.


São Tomé and Príncipe
The official São Tomé and Principe tourist site is economical of travel and tourism information.


Guia do Turismo
A travel and tourism guide with some images of São Tomé and Príncipe (in Portuguese)

Welcome to São Tomé e Príncipe
Germany based website with travel information.

Do you know the way to São Tomé?
Article by Sunday Times Travel Magazine.


Tour Operator
Discover São Tomé and Príncipe with Navetur
Local tourist agency in Sao Tomé and Principe offering services of hotel booking, car rental etc.

 
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé island © saotome.st

Education

INHEA - Sao Tome and Principe
São Tomé and Príncipe higher education information by International Network for Higher Education in Africa.
 
Statues at the National Museum
Statues at the National Museum

Environment & Nature

Gulf of Guinea Islands' Biodiversity Network
Information about the biodiversity, and its conservation, of the four Gulf of Guinea islands of Bioko, Príncipe, São Tomé and Annobón.
Parc naturel Obo
ECOFAC
 
 

History

Human History of the Sao Tome and Principe
Short article about Sao Tome and Principe's history.
History of São Tomé and Príncipe
Wikipedia article about STP's history from colonial period to recent times.
 
 

Additional Information on Sao Tome and Principe


Africa South of the Sahara: Sao Tome and Principe
Stanford University.

BBC Country Profile: Sao Tome and Principe

Open Directory Project: Sao Tome and Principe

Wikipedia: Sao Tome and Principe

The World Factbook -- Sao Tome and Principe
 
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