Sao Tome and Principe
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What is Sao Tome and Principe?
São Tomé and Príncipe, a Central African island nation, sits on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is composed of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and several smaller rocky islets. Since the mid-1980s, the country has been trying to restore its economy by attracting foreign investment, devaluing its currency, and reducing its budget deficit.
The president, serving as head of state, is directly elected for a five-year term, and the prime minister is the head of government. The National Assembly has 55 seats, and members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The country has a homogeneous creole culture that blends Portuguese and African elements.
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Where is Sao Tome and Principe located?
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country of Central Africa, situated on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea off the western African coast. The country is comprised of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, along with several rocky islets. Príncipe is located approximately 90 miles (145 km) northeast of São Tomé. The closest neighboring countries are Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, located on the Atlantic coast of central Africa.
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What languages are spoken in Sao Tome and Principe?
In São Tomé and Príncipe, the official language is Standard Portuguese, spoken by nearly all island residents. Additionally, there are three Portuguese-based creole languages:
* Sãotomense: Spoken by the Forros, it has the largest number of speakers.
* Angolar: This is the language of the Angolares, and it is spoken on the southern tip of São Tomé.
* Principense: Spoken by only a few hundred people on Príncipe.2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the history of Sao Tome and Principe?
The history of São Tomé and Príncipe begins around 1470, when Portuguese navigators discovered the islands, which were uninhabited at the time. The Portuguese then sent settlers, including convicts, and brought enslaved Africans to grow sugar. By the 16th century, São Tomé became the world's largest sugar producer.
However, this industry declined due to Brazilian competition and social instability, such as enslaved people escaping to the mountains and raiding plantations. After the sugar economy collapsed, the colony became a center for the Portuguese slave trade to Brazil.
In 1974, the government in Portugal agreed to transfer power to the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe, and independence was granted on July 12, 1975.
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What are some important features of Sao Tome and Principe's geography?
São Tomé and Príncipe, an island country of Central Africa, lies on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea and consists of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, and several rocky islets Rôlas, south of São Tomé island, and Caroço, Pedras, and Tinhosas, south of Príncipe. The country’s closest neighbors are Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on the Atlantic coast of central Africa.
In the south and west of both islands, high volcanic mountains fall sharply to the sea, but neither island has experienced volcanic activity in recent centuries. The mountains descend gradually to small plains in the northeast. São Tomé Peak, the highest point on the main island, rises to 6,640 feet (2,024 meters), and Príncipe Peak on the smaller island reaches 3,110 feet (948 meters). The mountainous areas are deeply dissected by stream erosion, and swift, rocky streams rush down to the coast in every direction.
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What are the main economic activities in Sao Tome and Principe?
The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe relies heavily on agriculture, with a focus on cacao (cocoa beans) as the primary export crop. Other key activities include fishing and forestry, though their potential is limited by the country's small size and environmental concerns. Manufacturing is minimal, consisting of small factories that process food, beverages, and wood for local markets. Tourism has potential but faces challenges such as tropical diseases and travel costs. The country also depends on foreign aid and petroleum concessions.
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Sao Tome and Principe, island country of Central Africa, located on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea. It consists of two main islands—São Tomé and Príncipe—and several rocky islets, including Rôlas, south of São Tomé island, and Caroço, Pedras, and Tinhosas, south of Príncipe.
Land
São Tomé, which is oval in shape, is larger than Príncipe, which lies about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of its sister island. The capital of the country, São Tomé city, is situated in the northeastern part of São Tomé island. The country’s closest neighbours are Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on the Atlantic coast of central Africa.
- Head Of Government:
- Prime Minister: Américo d’Oliveira Ramos
- Capital:
- São Tomé
- Population:
- (2026 est.) 213,900
- Head Of State:
- President: Carlos Vila Nova
- Form Of Government:
- multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [55])
- Official Language:
- Portuguese
- Official Religion:
- none
- Official Name:
- República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe (Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe)
- Total Area (Sq Km):
- 1,001
- Total Area (Sq Mi):
- 387
- Monetary Unit:
- dobra (Db)1
- Population Rank:
- (2026) 190
- Population Projection 2030:
- 263,000
- Density: Persons Per Sq Mi:
- (2026) 554.1
- Density: Persons Per Sq Km:
- (2026) 213.7
- Urban-Rural Population:
- Urban: (2022) 68.3%
- Rural: (2022) 31.7%
- Life Expectancy At Birth:
- Male: (2021) 69.6 years
- Female: (2021) 72.8 years
- Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000):
- (2024) 671
- Gni Per Capita (U.S.$):
- (2024) 2,850
- The dobra was pegged to the euro (€) from January 2010 at a rate of 24,500 dobras = €1.
Relief and drainage
In the south and west of both islands, high volcanic mountains fall precipitously to the sea, although neither island has witnessed any volcanic activity in recent centuries. The mountains descend gradually to small plains in the northeast. São Tomé Peak, the highest point on the main island, rises to 6,640 feet (2,024 metres) above sea level, and Príncipe Peak on the smaller island reaches 3,110 feet (948 metres). These mountainous areas are deeply dissected by stream erosion, and spectacular isolated volcanic plugs stand out as landmarks. Swift and rocky streams rush down to the coast in every direction.
Climate
The climate is basically maritime and tropical, but, because of the rough topography, there is a wide range of microclimates. The prevailing moist southwesterly winds are intercepted by the mountains, so annual rainfall exceeds 275 inches (7,000 mm) in the southwestern part of São Tomé island, while the far northeast receives less than 30 inches (760 mm). The dry season, called gravana, lasts from June to September in the northeast but is scarcely discernible in the wetter regions. In the coastal areas the mean annual temperature is high, in the low 80s F (upper 20s C); the average relative humidity is also high, about 80 percent. Average temperatures decline sharply with elevation, and night temperatures fall below 50 °F (10 °C) at about 2,300 feet (700 metres). Above 3,300 feet (1,000 metres) fine misty rain falls almost continuously and the nights are cold, although frost and snow are unknown.
Plant and animal life
The original vegetation of the islands was luxuriant tropical rainforest, with a gradual transition from lowland forest to mist forest. Some of the islands’ area, mainly in the south and west, is still covered with rainforest. Much of this is secondary growth on abandoned plantation land. The flora and fauna include many rare and endemic species, reflecting the isolation and environmental diversity of the islands. Birds such as the ibis, shrike, and grosbeak can be found in Sao Tome and Principe. Many of the plants, birds, reptiles, and small mammals are threatened by pressure on the remaining rainforest.
People
Ethnic groups
The population consists mainly of Forros (from forro, Portuguese for “free man”), descendants of immigrant Europeans and enslaved Africans. Another group, the Angolares, descended from formerly enslaved Angolans who were shipwrecked on São Tomé about 1540. The Angolares remained apart in the isolated southern zone of São Tomé island until the late 19th century, but they later spread throughout the country and became largely assimilated. Cabo Verdeans form the largest group of resident foreigners; many have adopted Sao Tomean nationality. Angolans and Mozambicans make up most of the rest of the African immigrant community. Like the Cabo Verdeans, they are relatively well integrated with the other islanders, because of a shared Luso-African cultural background. There is a small European population—primarily Portuguese—in the country.
Languages
Standard Portuguese is the official language and is understood by virtually all islanders. In addition, three Portuguese-based creoles are spoken: Sãotomense, spoken by the Forros and having by far the largest number of speakers; Angolar, the language of the Angolares, spoken on the southern tip of São Tomé; and Principense, spoken by only a few hundred individuals on Príncipe.
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Religion
More than half of the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. The remainder of those professing a religious affiliation is primarily Protestant. Traditional African religious practices and beliefs are widespread, even among adherents of other faiths. About one-fifth of the population identifies as nonreligious.
Settlement patterns
Almost three-fourths of the population resides in urban areas. The population is concentrated in the drier and flatter areas of both islands. Whereas a third of the inhabitants live in São Tomé city and its outskirts, only about 5 percent live on the island of Príncipe. Many people live in dispersed settlements known locally as lucháns. Houses made of wooden planks and raised above the ground are typical of the local building methods, although there are also many concrete structures in the Portuguese colonial style. Many people still live in barracklike accommodations on the plantations.
Demographic trends
Population growth is above the world average but below the average for sub-Saharan Africa. About two-fifths of the population is younger than 15 years of age, and another one-fourth is younger than 30, assuring continued rapid growth. Life expectancy in the early 21st century was more than 65 years of age, relatively high for an African country and close to the world average.