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Country Guide > Africa > São Tomé e Príncipe | |
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General Information Area 1001 sq km (386.5 sq miles). Population 161,000 (official estimate 2003). Population Density 137.5 per sq km (census of 2001). Capital São Tomé. Geography São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Ilheu dos Rolas (which is crossed by the Equator line). These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The landscape is varied, combining mountains, tropical forest and beaches. Government Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Fradique de Menezes since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Damiao Vaz d'Almeida since 2004. Language Portuguese is the official language. Creole is also spoken. Some English is spoken, but French is more common. Religion Roman Catholic majority (82 per cent), with a number of other Christian denominations also represented. Time GMT. Electricity 220 volts AC. Communications Telephone Very limited IDD is available. Mobile telephone GSM 900. Main network provider is Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicacoes (SARL) (website: www.cstome.net). Internet At present there is extremely limited access in the capital. Telegram Facilities are available in the capital and main hotels Fax Services are available from the telephone office and some major hotels (overseas faxes are very expensive). Post Airmail to Europe takes approximately one week to Europe and the USA Press Newspapers are printed in Portuguese. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |