Portal:São Tomé and Príncipe

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The São Tomé and Príncipe Portal

São Tomé and Príncipe (/ˌsaʊ təˈmeɪ ... ˈprɪnsɪpə, -peɪ/ ^ⓘ SOW tə-MAY ... PRIN-sih-pə, -⁠pay; Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w tuˈmɛ i ˈpɾĩsɨpɨ]); English: "Saint Thomas and Prince"), officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (Portuguese: República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe), is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.

It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 150 km (93.21 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km (155 and 140 mi) off the northwestern coast of Gabon. With a population of 201,800 (2018 official estimate), São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles. It is also the smallest Romance-speaking country outside of Europe in terms of population and area.

The islands were uninhabited until their discovery in 1470 by Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar. Gradually colonized and settled throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade centre for the Atlantic slave trade. The rich volcanic soil and proximity to the equator made São Tomé and Príncipe ideal for sugar cultivation, followed later by cash crops such as coffee and cocoa; the lucrative plantation economy was heavily dependent upon enslaved Africans. Cycles of social unrest and economic instability throughout the 19th and 20th centuries culminated in peaceful independence in 1975. São Tomé and Príncipe has since remained one of Africa's most stable and democratic countries. According to 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices São Tomé and Príncipe is ranked 56th electoral democracy worldwide and 5th electoral democracy in Africa. São Tomé and Príncipe is a developing economy with a medium Human Development Index. (Full article...)

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Map of São Tomé and Príncipe

Ilhéu das Rolas (also: Ilheu Gago Coutinho) is an islet in the African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. It lies on the Equator, off the southern tip of São Tomé Island, separated by Canal das Rolas. Its maximum elevation is 96 m (315 ft). Its population was 76 at the 2012 census. It is part of the Caué District. Access to the island is only by ferry from Ponta Baleia on São Tomé Island. There is a lighthouse on the islet, built in 1929, whose focal height is 106 metres (348 ft) and range is 12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi). The island is home to a small resort, the Pestana Equador. (Full article...)

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São Tomé and Príncipe competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. The country's participation at Rio de Janeiro marked its sixth consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics. Three athletes from São Tomé and Princípe were selected for the Games. Romário Leitão and Celma Bonfim da Graça participated in athletics and Buly Triste in flatwater canoeing. Bonfim was the only female on the roster and the only member with prior Olympic experience (from Beijing 2008). Triste was the first male athlete to carry the São Tomé and Princípe flag at the opening ceremony. São Tomé and Princípe has yet to win its first Olympic medal. (Full article...)

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São Tomé and Príncipe at the 1996 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2008 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2016 Summer Paralympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2004 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2012 Summer Olympics

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...São Tomé and Príncipe is the smallest country in the world that is not a former British overseas territory, a former United States trusteeship, or one of the European microstates.

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Image 1Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe personnel undergo medical training with US Navy personnel
Image 2Waterfalls near Ponta Figo, São Tomé and Príncipe
Image 3Palm trees on the Ilhéu das Rolas
Image 4Island of Príncipe (Sao Tome and Principe), 1727. The inscription says: "The ISLAND of PRINCESS lies between the Islands of FERNANDO PO & St. THOMÉ in the Latitude of 1 Degree 30 Minutes N. all belonging to the Portuguese. This Island is very Woody and breeds abundance of Monkeys, insomuch that it is not safe to walk in the Woods without a gun. The harbour is very convenient to Careen Ships in, and most Ships Bound from Africa to America with Slaves put in here for Food, Water etc."
Image 5A typical beach on the island of São Tomé
Image 6The island of São Tomé off the west coast of Africa
Image 7The shores near Ponta Figo, a village on São Tomé Island
Image 8A view at Príncipe
Image 9Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón. These islands, together with the island of Bioko and Mount Cameroon on the African mainland, are part of the Cameroon line of volcanoes.
Image 10Hiking in the equatorial forest on the island of São Tomé

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