Introduction
Background
Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited Sao Tome and Principe islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century. Independence was achieved in 1975, but democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991.
Geography
Area
total : 964 sq km
land: 964 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Natural resources
fish, hydropower
People and Society
Population
total: 223,561
Ethnic groups
Mestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese)
Languages
Portuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.)
Religions
Catholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.)
Population growth rate
1.42% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Sao Tome
Executive branch
chief of state: President Carlos Manuel VILA NOVA (since 2 October 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA (since 11 November 2022)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral National Assembly (55 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Central African island economy; falling cocoa production due to drought and mismanagement; joint oil venture with Nigeria; government owns 90% of land; high debt, partly from fuel subsidies; tourism gutted by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.267 billion (2023 est.)
$1.273 billion (2022 est.)
$1.272 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$5,500 (2023 est.)
$5,600 (2022 est.)
$5,700 (2021 est.)
Exports
$96.977 million (2022 est.)
$75.256 million (2021 est.)
$49.337 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
Netherlands 26%, France 11%, Belgium 11%, Portugal 8%, Angola 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
cocoa beans, palm oil, gas turbines, integrated circuits, coconut oil (2022)
Imports
$219.322 million (2022 est.)
$201.145 million (2021 est.)
$160.097 million (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
Portugal 35%, Angola 18%, Togo 13%, China 6%, Italy 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, electric generating sets, rice, cars (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, September 24, 2024