São Tomé and Príncipe is made up of two islands in the Gulf of Guinea. São Tomé and Príncipe lie about 140 kilometres (87 miles) apart and about 225 kilometres (140 miles) off the African coast. Until the Portuguese arrived in the 1470s, the islands were uninhabited. The Portuguese saw them as a good location to establish trading posts and plantations. The islands are part of an ancient volcanic mountain range, but their volcanoes are now extinct. The larger island, São Tomé, lies just north of the Equator. Peaks in the centre of the island soar as high as 2024 metres (6640 feet); they are surrounded by lush rainforests and farmland. Príncipe is flatter and covered by forest. Both islands have a tropical climate: the weather is hot and humid all year round with a rainy season between October and May.

People

People from both islands are called São Toméans. They are the descendants of Portuguese and African settlers and slaves who were shipped to the islands in the 16th century. They speak Portuguese as well as Forro, a creole language which is a mixture of Portuguese and African languages. Nearly everyone lives on São Tomé; Príncipe, is home to just 7000 people.

Economy

The islands’ economy depends heavily on cocoa: the tropical climate and rich, volcanic soil is perfect for growing cocoa (cacao) trees. Farmers and pickers harvest cocoa pods; inside them are cocoa beans, which can be roasted and ground to make a cocoa paste. Much of the crop is exported as “raw” beans to be processed in other countries. Other crops are coconuts, spices such as cinnamon and pepper, coffee and bananas. In 2003, São Tomé and Príncipe began to earn money from offshore oil reserves, as large companies bid for drilling rights.

African Galapagos

Covered in dense rainforest, known locally as obo, São Tomé and Príncipe has a high biodiversity. Many species, including birds, butterflies, snails, crabs and orchids, are endemic—native to the islands and found nowhere else). The islands are also a breeding ground for several species of sea turtle. For this reason, São Tomé and Príncipe is known as the "African Galapagos" (after the Pacific islands famous for their unique wildlife). Eco-tourism provides a growing income. On Principe, many villagers have signed up to a scheme run by the Faya Foundation. By helping to preserve the natural environment, their community receives financial benefits in return.

Facts about São Tomé and Príncipe

Population 220,372 (2023 estimate)

Area 964 sq km

Highest point Pico de São Tomé 2024 m (6640 ft)

Capital São Tomé, population 71,868

Other major cities Santo António (pop. 1156)

Languages Portuguese, Forro, French

Religions Christian (Roman Catholic) 56%, other Christian 16%, others and none 28%

Ethnicity mixed Portuguese / African, Angolan

Currency São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STD)

Chief exports cocoa, coffee, copra, palm oil