Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Africa :: Sao Tome and Principe
page last updated on October 16, 2012
Flag of Sao Tome and Principe
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Sao Tome and Principe
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Sao Tome and Principe
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Sao Tome and Principe
 
no photos available of Sao Tome and Principe
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation.
Back to Top
Geography ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 00 N, 7 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 964 sq km
country comparison to the world: 185
land: 964 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
209 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
volcanic, mountainous
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 8.33%
permanent crops: 48.96%
other: 42.71% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
100 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous
Back to Top
People ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Portuguese (official)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
183,176 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 44.4% (male 41,326/ female 39,926)
15-64 years: 52.6% (male 47,458/ female 48,808)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,588/ female 3,070) (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 17.6 years
male: 17.2 years
female: 18.1 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.996% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
37.02 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-9.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 62% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
SAO TOME (capital) 60,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
70 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 87
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 51.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 43
male: 53.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 49.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 63.49 years
country comparison to the world: 175
male: 62.27 years
female: 64.74 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.94 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 59
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.9%
male: 92.2%
female: 77.9% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2010)
Back to Top
Government ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Sao Tome
geographic coordinates: 0 20 N, 6 44 E
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome
note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of civil law base on the Portuguese model and customary law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Manuel Pinto DA COSTA (since 3 September 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Patrice Emery TROVOADA (since 14 August 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 July and 7 August 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
election results: Manuel PINTO DA COSTA elected president in a run-off election; percent of vote - Manuel PINTO DA COSTA 52.9%, Evaristo CARVALHO 47.1%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 26, MLSTP-PSD 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly); Constitutional Court (five judges appointed by the National Assembly for five year terms); Court of First Instance; Audit Court
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
other: the media
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Ovidio Manuel Barbosa PEQUENO
chancery: 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 775-2075, 2076
FAX: [1] (202) 775-2077
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)
lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA
note: adopted 1975
Back to Top
Economy ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome and Principe has to import fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome and Principe benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, the government signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. In April 2011 the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome and Principe''s territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed the country''s receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the oil sector, are the major economic problems facing the country.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$383.9 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
$366.2 million (2010 est.)
$350.5 million (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$248 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
4.5% (2010 est.)
4% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2,300 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
$2,200 (2010 est.)
$2,200 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 15%
industry: 24.4%
services: 60.6% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
52,490 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 190
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
66.2% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
45.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $74.77 million
expenditures: $117.9 million (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-17.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
84.7% of GDP
country comparison to the world: 19
76.2% of GDP
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.4% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
13.3% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 5
28% (31 December 2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26.95% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
20% (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$57.88 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
$30.67 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$80.88 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
$77.3 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$47.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
$79.93 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$77.5 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
-$107.4 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$12.5 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
$12.05 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Netherlands 24%, Belgium 22.5%, Egypt 19.1%, US 7.1% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$112.1 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
$99.42 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Portugal 55.3%, Malaysia 14.3%, US 5.2%, Gabon 4% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$51.47 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$49.43 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$266 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$206.6 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
dobras (STD) per US dollar -
17,624 (2011 est.)
18,499 (2010 est.)
16,209 (2009)
14,900 (2008)
13,700 (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
32 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.76 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010)
country comparison to the world: 139
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14,000 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
57.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
42.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
904 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
889 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
150,300 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Back to Top
Communications ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8,000 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
115,000 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 65 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.st
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,646 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 163
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26,700 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
Back to Top
Transportation ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 320 km
country comparison to the world: 202
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 3
country comparison to the world: 138
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (China 1, Greece 1) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Sao Tome
Back to Top
Military ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 39,182
females age 16-49: 39,845 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 27,310
females age 16-49: 29,279 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 2,076
female: 2,003 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 145
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Sao Tome and Principe
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.