São Tomé and Príncipe Overview

São Tomé and Príncipe is Africa’s smallest state, located outside West Africa. The two main islands are parts of a chain of islands consisting of extinct volcanoes.

Capital: Sao Tome
Biggest city: Sao Tome
State: republic
Language: Portuguese
Religion: catholicism
Surface: 1 001 km²
Population: 186 800 (2013)
Population density: 212 residents per km²
Expectancy: 68 years
Illiteracy: 15%
Currency: good (STD)
GDP per capita: $ 1,900 (2010)
Time difference: -1 hour
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz
National Day: July 12
Country area code: 239
2-Letter country abbreviation: ST (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder)
Business: mainly agriculture and fishing
Climate: tropical, with rainy season from October to May

São Tomé and Príncipe flag

São Tomé and Príncipe was discovered and annexed by Portugal in the late 15th century. From the beginning, sugar was grown here and from the 19th century also coffee and cocoa, on plantations with slave labor. This continued into the 20th century. During the Biafra War, food was flown from São Tomé and Príncipe sponsored by Christian aid organizations.

After the left – wing military coup in Portugal in 1974, São Tomé and Príncipe became independent. The Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Principe (MLSTP), and its leader Manuel Pinto da Costa took power in a communist one-party state. In 1991, democracy was introduced and in 2001, the democratic opposition leader Fradique de Menzes won the presidential election. The policy is not stable and both 1995 and 2003 coup attempts have been made.

São Tomé and Príncipe is divided into two provinces: São Tomé and Príncipe. The province of Príncipe has been self-governing since 29 April 1995.

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in São Tomé and Príncipe

Voltage: 220 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: B

Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in São Tomé

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Christmas Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature °C 25 26 26 26 25 24 23 24 24 25 25 25
Rain (mm) 84 93 136 137 126 6 0 1 18 102 113 97

São Tomé and Príncipe 2

Sao Tome

According to Countryaah, São Tomé is the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe, with 53,300 residents (2003). São Tomé is by far the country’s largest city.

It was founded by Portugal in 1483 and is built around a cathedral from the 16th century. Another old building is the fort São Sebastião, which was built in 1575 and now houses the São Tomé National Museum. The name São Tomé is Portuguese for “Sankt Tomas”.

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