# São Tomé and Príncipe

> island sovereign state in Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q1039](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1039)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/São_Tomé_and_Príncipe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sao-tome-and-principe

## Summary

São Tomé and Príncipe is an African island nation that became independent on July 12, 1975. [1] The country has a population of approximately 204,000 people as of 2017. [2] Its total land area is about 1,000 square kilometers.  It operates on Greenwich Mean Time, using UTC±00:00 with the timezone identifier Africa/Sao_Tome. [3]

## Summary
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island sovereign state and archipelagic republic located in Central Africa, consisting of two main islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Officially known as the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, it gained independence from the Portuguese Empire on July 12, 1975, and operates as a parliamentary republic with Portuguese as its official language. The nation is characterized by its small land area of 1,001 square kilometers, a population exceeding 200,000, and its membership in numerous international organizations including the United Nations and the African Union.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe (Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe).
*   **Independence Date:** July 12, 1975, ending Portuguese colonial rule which began in 1470.
*   **Capital City:** São Tomé.
*   **Total Area:** 1,001 square kilometers.
*   **Population:** 204,327 (as of 2017, preferred value).
*   **Currency:** São Tomé and Príncipe dobra.
*   **Official Language:** Portuguese; other languages include Principense, Forro Creole, and Angolar.
*   **Head of State:** Carlos Vila Nova (since October 2, 2021).
*   **Head of Government:** Américo Ramos (since January 12, 2025); previously Patrice Trovoada (2022–2025).
*   **Time Zone:** UTC±00:00 (Africa/Sao_Tome).
*   **ISO Codes:** ST (Alpha-2), STP (Alpha-3), 678 (Numeric).
*   **Top-Level Domain:** .st.
*   **Telephone Country Code:** +239.
*   **Emergency Number:** 112.
*   **Driving Side:** Right.
*   **Electrical Standards:** 220 Volts, 50 Hz; plug types include Europlug.
*   **Highest Point:** Pico de São Tomé at 2,024 meters.
*   **Lowest Point:** Atlantic Ocean at 0 meters.
*   **Coordinates:** 0.316667° N, 6.6° E.
*   **Human Development Index (HDI):** 0.618 (2021).
*   **Gini Coefficient:** 40.7 (2017).
*   **Motto:** "Unidade, Disciplina, Trabalho" (Unity, Discipline, Labour).
*   **National Anthem:** "Independência total".
*   **Member of:** United Nations (since 1975), African Union, Community of Portuguese Language Countries, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, and the Alliance of Small Island States.
*   **Borders:** Shares maritime borders with Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria.
*   **Administrative Divisions:** Includes Príncipe Autonomous Region, São Tomé Province (historical), and districts such as Água Grande, Cantagalo, Caué, Lembá, Lobata, and Mé-Zóchi.

## FAQs

**What is the political structure and leadership of São Tomé and Príncipe?**
The country functions as a parliamentary republic where the President serves as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. As of early 2025, Carlos Vila Nova holds the presidency, while Américo Ramos leads the government, having taken office in January 2025.

**How did São Tomé and Príncipe gain its independence and what was its colonial history?**
The nation was a Portuguese colony starting from 1470 until it achieved full sovereignty on July 12, 1975. It replaced the entity known as Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe and subsequently joined the United Nations later that same year in September.

**What are the demographic trends and population statistics for the country?**
The population has grown steadily from approximately 64,000 in 1960 to over 204,000 by 2017. Recent data indicates a birth rate of roughly 28 per 1,000 people and a death rate of about 6 per 1,000, with a life expectancy of approximately 66.6 years as of 2016.

**Which international organizations is São Tomé and Príncipe a member of?**
It is a member of the United Nations, African Union, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, among others. The nation also participates in specialized bodies like the World Health Organization, UNESCO, Interpol, and the African Development Bank.

**What are the geographical and environmental characteristics of the islands?**
Located in the Gulf of Guinea, the archipelago consists of two main islands with a total area of 1,001 square kilometers. The terrain features a highest point of 2,024 meters at Pico de São Tomé and includes a designated biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO.

## Why It Matters
São Tomé and Príncipe holds significance as a small island developing state that serves as a strategic point in the Gulf of Guinea and a member of the Alliance of Small Island States, advocating for climate resilience and maritime interests. Its transition from a Portuguese colony to a stable parliamentary republic in 1975 offers a case study in post-colonial nation-building in Africa. The country is increasingly relevant in discussions regarding biodiversity, as it hosts unique ecosystems and has been designated a biosphere reserve, highlighting its role in global conservation efforts. Furthermore, its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area and various international financial institutions underscores its integration into the global economic framework despite its small size.

## Notable For
*   **Biosphere Reserve Status:** The island of São Tomé was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve, highlighting its unique ecological value.
*   **Small Island State Leadership:** Active membership in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) allows it to influence global climate change policy.
*   **Linguistic Heritage:** It is one of the few African nations where Portuguese is the sole official language, while also preserving distinct Creole languages like Forro, Angolar, and Principense.
*   **Political Stability:** As a "free country" according to Freedom House, it maintains a functioning democratic system with regular elections.
*   **Geographic Uniqueness:** It is an archipelagic state located entirely within the equatorial region, with coordinates straddling the equator.
*   **Historical Continuity:** It maintains strong cultural and diplomatic ties with Portugal, its former colonial ruler, while fostering relationships with China, the US, and other global powers.

## Body

### Geography and Location
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island sovereign state situated in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. The country consists of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, along with smaller islets. Its total land area is 1,001 square kilometers. The capital city, São Tomé, is located on the larger island. The nation's coordinates are approximately 0.316667° North latitude and 6.6° East longitude. The highest point in the country is Pico de São Tomé, rising to 2,024 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean at sea level. The country is located in both Central and West Africa according to different regional classifications. It shares maritime borders with Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria. The easternmost point is at 1.6256388888889° N, 7.4621388888889° E, and the westernmost point is at 0.24477777777778° N, 6.4606111111111° E. The northernmost point is at 1.7° N, 7.4° E, and the southernmost point is at -0.013277777777778° N, 6.5233611111111° E.

### History and Independence
The territory was first encountered by Portuguese explorers in 1470, marking the beginning of the Portuguese Empire's presence. It remained a Portuguese colony for centuries until it achieved independence on July 12, 1975. The state replaced the entity known as Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe. Following independence, the country joined the United Nations on September 16, 1975. The nation has since established diplomatic relations with various countries, including Portugal, the United States, China, Germany, and North Korea (established August 9, 1975). It also maintains relations with Taiwan. The country is a member of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

### Government and Politics
São Tomé and Príncipe is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the President, currently Carlos Vila Nova, who assumed office on October 2, 2021. The head of government is the Prime Minister; Américo Ramos is the current holder, having taken office on January 12, 2025. Prior to this, Patrice Trovoada served as Prime Minister from November 10, 2022, to January 6, 2025. The legislative body is the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional de Santo Tomé y Príncipe). The executive body is the government of São Tomé and Príncipe. The country is classified as a "free country" by Freedom House. The central bank is the Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe. The national motto is "Unidade, Disciplina, Trabalho," which translates to "Unity, Discipline, Labour." The national anthem is "Independência total."

### Demographics and Society
The population of São Tomé and Príncipe has shown consistent growth over the decades. In 1960, the population was approximately 64,255, rising to 204,327 by 2017. The birth rate was recorded at 28.917 per 1,000 in 2019, declining slightly to 27.974 by 2022. The death rate was 5.876 per 1,000 in 2019 and 5.838 in 2022. Life expectancy has increased from 63.181 years in 1999 to 66.624 years in 2016. The total fertility rate was estimated at 5.33 in 1999 and decreased to 4.576 by 2014. The population is divided into male and female groups, with males numbering 113,407 and females 113,972 in 2022. The urban population was 172,252 in 2022, while the rural population was 55,128. The marriageable age is 18 years for all genders. The Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.618 in 2021, and the inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.503 in the same year. The Gini coefficient, measuring income inequality, was 40.7 in 2017. The number of out-of-school children was estimated at 4,104 in 2015.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The currency of the country is the São Tomé and Príncipe dobra. The nominal GDP was 526,653,791 United States dollars in 2021 and 546,680,342 in 2022. The country uses the right-hand driving side. The mains voltage is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz. Electrical plugs used are the Europlug and type Q1123613. The telephone country code is +239, and the mobile country code is 626. The top-level internet domain is .st. The emergency phone number is 112. The country is a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, and the International Finance Corporation. It is also part of the African Development Bank and the World Bank.

### Culture and Language
The official language is Portuguese. Other languages spoken include Principense, Forro Creole, and Angolar. The demonym for citizens includes "Santomense" (masculine singular/feminine plural), "Santomensi" (masculine plural), and "Santoméenne" (feminine singular). In English, they are referred to as "Sao Tomean" or "Sao Tomeans." The national flag is the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe. The coat of arms is the Coat of arms of São Tomé and Príncipe. The country has a rich cultural heritage reflected in its music, such as the instrumental version of the anthem available on Wikimedia Commons. The country is part of the Portuguese-speaking African countries.

### International Relations and Memberships
São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of the United Nations since 1975. It joined the African Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. The country is a member of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the Alliance of Small Island States. It is also part of the International Telecommunication Union (since 1976), the Universal Postal Union (since 1977), and the World Meteorological Organization (since 1976). The nation joined the World Health Organization and UNESCO (since 1980). It became a member of Interpol in 1988 and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 2003. The country is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is a member of the Gulf of Guinea Commission and the Economic Community of Central African States. The country joined the World Customs Organization in 2009 and the African Continental Free Trade Area. It is also a member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

### Administrative Divisions
The country is divided into several administrative entities. These include the Príncipe Autonomous Region and the historical São Tomé Province (which ended in 1990). The districts include Água Grande, Cantagalo, Caué, Lembá, Lobata, and Mé-Zóchi. The country is located in the region of Central Africa and West Africa. The geoshape data is available as "Data:Sao Tome and Principe.map." The locator map image shows the country's position in Africa.

### Identifiers and Codes
The country has numerous international identifiers. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is ST, and the alpha-3 code is STP. The numeric code is 678. The M49 code is 678. The IOC country code is STP. The UNDP country code is STP. The FIPS 10-4 code is TP. The ITU letter code is STP. The maritime identification digits are 668. The country code for the World Factbook is sao-tome-and-principe. The Wikidata ID is Q1041. The Freebase ID is /m/0j681. The GeoNames ID is 2410758. The VIAF ID is 140101415. The GND ID is 4118426-9. The ISNI is 0000000123430458. The LCCN authority ID is n50071938. The BnF ID is 12023180b. The NDL authority ID is 00575887. The NLA ID is 35836063. The NSK ID is 981005735822109366. The RERO ID is A000159733. The Canadiana NCF ID is ncf12006225. The National Library of Brazil ID is 000057760. The National Library of Portugal ID is 346514. The National Library of Iceland ID is 000082385. The National Library of Israel J9U ID is 987007557373005171. The British Museum ID is 185401. The Getty TGN ID is 1000188. The MusicBrainz area ID is dcb0e217-84cb-3772-b98f-a7a7a1dbe185. The OpenStreetMap relation ID is 535880. The OpenStreetMap node ID is 249399429. The Wikidata description is "island sovereign state in Africa." The Wikipedia title is "São Tomé and Príncipe." The Commons category is "São Tomé and Príncipe." The subreddit is "SaoTomePrincipe." The Facebook page ID is "São-Tomé-e-Príncipe/108702782497529." The Quora topic is "São-Tomé-and-Príncipe." The BBC News topic ID is "cnx753jejext." The BBC Things ID is "7031a5fc-0795-47c3-93cd-7826c0d6b2c5." The Google Arts & Culture entity ID is "m0j681." The WorldCat entity ID is "Q1041." The World Historical Gazetteer place ID is 12346837. The OBO Gazetteer ID is 00006927. The INSEE code is 99394. The EU Knowledge Graph item ID is "Schleswig-Flensburg." The UK Parliament ID is "wZ1JkalC." The UK Parliament Thesaurus ID is 12643. The Canadiana Name Authority ID is ncf12006225. The France 24 topic ID is "sao-tome-e-principe." The Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID is "sao-tome-i-principe." The Treccani ID is "sao-tome-e-principe." The Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID is "place/Sao-Tome-and-Principe." The Brockhaus Enzyklopädie Online ID is "sao-tome-und-principe." The Grove Art Online ID is "T075947." The Klexikon article ID is "São_Tomé_und_Príncipe." The Niconicopedia ID is "サントメ・プリンシペ民主共和国." The Pixiv Encyclopedia ID is "サントメ・プリンシペ." The Namuwiki ID is "상투메 프린시페." The Mapy.com ID is "osm&id=678." The Store ID for Google Play is "São_Tomé_og_Príncipe." The Inaturalist place ID is 9173. The Archinform location ID is 6165. The Grove Art Online ID is T075947. The Klexikon article ID is São_Tomé_und_Príncipe. The Niconicopedia ID is サントメ・プリンシペ民主共和国. The Pixiv Encyclopedia ID is サントメ・プリンシペ. The Namuwiki ID is 상투메 프린시페. The Mapy.com ID is osm&id=678. The Store ID for Google Play is São_Tomé_og_Príncipe. The Inaturalist place ID is 9173. The Archinform location ID is 6165.

## References

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28. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
29. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
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31. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
32. Labels for Locals
33. [The World Factbook](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sao-tome-and-principe/#people-and-society)
34. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
35. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
36. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
37. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
38. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
39. BabelNet
40. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
41. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
42. Enciclopedia Treccani
43. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
44. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
45. Dizionario di Storia
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47. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Swietego-Tomasza-i-Ksiazeca-Wyspy;4169156.html)
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