Historical Timeline
1470 (December 21, Saturday): Portuguese explorers discover São Tomé and Príncipe islands
1590 (March 1, Monday): Portuguese colonization of São Tomé and Príncipe begins
1869 (July 1, Thursday): Establishment of cocoa plantations on the islands
1975 (July 12, Saturday): São Tomé and Príncipe gains independence from Portugal
1990 (October 7, Sunday): New democratic constitution is enacted
2009 (July 22, Wednesday): Tropical Storm Vania causes significant damage, especially to agricultural regions
2010 (January 1, Friday): São Tomé and Príncipe becomes a member of the African Union
2017 (October 5, Thursday): Tropical Storm Don causes flooding and damage to infrastructure
2018 (November 21, Wednesday): Severe drought affects the islands’ agriculture and water supply
2020 (March 23, Monday): COVID-19 pandemic forces national lockdown and border restrictions
2022 (August 18, Thursday): Heavy rainfall causes localized flooding and landslides in São Tomé
General Information
Continent: Africa
Location: Central Africa, on the Equator, in the Gulf of Guinea
Capital: São Tomé
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Dobra (STN)
Population: ~220,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: São Tomé and Príncipe Time (STT)
Topography
Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Volcanic islands, coastal plains, and tropical rainforest
Major Rivers: Rio São Tomé, Rio Contador
Major Mountains: Pico de São Tomé (largest peak), Pico Cão Grande
Deserts: None
Lakes: No significant lakes
Volcanoes: Pico de São Tomé (active volcano)
Highest Point: Pico de São Tomé (2,024 m / 6,643 ft)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0 m / 0 ft)
Climate: Tropical climate, with a wet season from October to May and a dry season from June to September
Geological Features: Volcanic islands, mountainous terrain, and fertile soil
Demography
Ethnic Groups: Predominantly African (Bantu), with some mestizo and European populations
Religion: Roman Catholicism (predominantly), with smaller Protestant and indigenous religious communities
Urban Population: ~60% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~6% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)
Culture
Famous For: Coffee and cocoa production, music (particularly the style known as “sungura”), and colonial history
Cuisine: Fish, rice, coconut milk, plantains, and tropical fruits
Arts: Traditional music, storytelling, and crafts like basket weaving and pottery
Sports: Football, athletics, and basketball
Economy
Economy Type: Developing, primarily based on agriculture and export of goods
GDP: Approx. $460 million USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (cocoa, coffee, oil palm), fishing, tourism
Key Exports: Cocoa, coffee, palm oil, fish
Unemployment Rate: ~13.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Primarily agriculture and fishing-based, with growing tourism industry
Government
Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Carlos Vila Nova (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jorge Bom Jesus (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (National Assembly)
Constitution: In effect since 1990
Travel Attractions
São Tomé: Capital city with colonial-era buildings, markets, and a rich cultural scene
Principe Island: Lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and diving opportunities
Pico Cão Grande: An iconic volcanic spire and popular hiking destination
Obo National Park: A large national park with rich biodiversity and rainforest treks
Bom-Bom Island: A small island with luxury resorts and pristine beaches