| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Africa |
| Geographical Location |
1° 00' North Latitude
7° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
1,001 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) |
| Natural Resources |
Fish, hydropower |
|
| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe |
| Capital City |
Sao Tome |
| Government Type |
Republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome |
| Independence Day |
12 July 1975 (from Portugal) |
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| Demographical Information |
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|
| Population |
187,410 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Sao Tomean |
| Ethnic Groups |
Mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique,
and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese) |
| Religion |
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census) |
| Languages |
Portuguese (official) |
| Population Growth Rate |
3.16% (2005 est.) |
|
| Economical Information |
|
|
| Currency |
Dobra (STD) |
| Industries |
Light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber |
| Labor Force |
NA |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing |
| Agriculture Products |
Cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil |
| Export Partners |
Netherlands 39.1%, China 11.8%, Germany 8.6%, Belgium 6.9%, Philippines 6.7%, France 4.5% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products |
| Import Partners |
Portugal 50.5%, Germany 10%, US 5.1%, Netherlands 4.5%, South Africa 4.2% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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|
| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
320 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
2 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Santo Antonio, Sao Tome |
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| Communication |
|
|
| Phone Code |
+239 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.st |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
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. Though the first free elections
were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil
in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy. |
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