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Introduction - São Tomé and Principe
Background:
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.
Geography - São Tomé and Principe
Location:
Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of
Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 964 sq km
country comparison to the world: 184
land: 964 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
209 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Current Weather
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain:
volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 8.33%
permanent crops: 48.96%
other: 42.71% (2005)
Irrigated land:
100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements:
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
Geography - note:
the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of
extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous
People - São Tomé and Principe
Population:
175,808 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.9% (male 40,134/female 38,762)
15-64 years: 51.8% (male 44,845/female 46,276)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 2,684/female 3,107) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.5 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.112% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Birth rate:
39.09 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Death rate:
8.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Net migration rate:
-9.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
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: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.64 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 44
male: 56.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 52.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.73 years
country comparison to the world: 176
male: 61.58 years
female: 63.91 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.21 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups:
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)
Religions:
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%,
none 19.4% (2001 census)
Languages:
Portuguese (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.9%
male: 92.2%
female: 77.9% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government - São Tomé and Principe
Country name:
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
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Sao Tome
geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome
note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995
Independence:
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution:
approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fradique Bandiera Melo DE MENEZES (since 3 September
2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the
prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for
a second term); election last held on 30 July 2006 (next to be held in July
2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the
president
election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote -
Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members elected
by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on on 26 March 2006 (next to be held on 21 February 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI
20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR
1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
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
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
other: the media
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), 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, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ovidio PEQUENO
chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022
telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580
FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348
Diplomatic representation from the US:
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
Flag description:
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; red symbolizes the
struggle for independence, the two stars represent the two main islands
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy - São Tomé and Principe
Economy - overview:
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 has to import all fuels,
most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over
the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied
heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome 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, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and
Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. 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'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 Sao Tome's
receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP
growth averaged about 6% in 2006-07, as a result of increases in public
expenditures and oil-related capital investment, but has been declining in the
years since.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$292.4 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
$280.4 million (2008 est.)
$265.8 million (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$191.2 million (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
5.5% (2008 est.)
6% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
$1,700 (2008 est.)
$1,600 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.3%
industry: 15.1%
services: 70.6% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
52,490 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 188
Labor force - by occupation:
note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing;
shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
34.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Budget:
revenues: $48.81 million
expenditures: $57.53 million (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
19% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
26% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
28% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 3
28% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
32.4% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
32.4% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$27.84 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 160
$19.99 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$36.95 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 164
$33.5 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$20.42 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 134
$31.84 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas,
papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - production:
19 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - consumption:
17.67 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - imports:
726 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Current account balance:
-$58 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
-$53 million (2008 est.)
Exports:
$8 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
$8 million (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:
UK 32.99%, Netherlands 26.93%, Belgium 21.04%, Portugal 4.31% (2009)
Imports:
$86 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
$73 million (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Portugal 58.9%, Brazil 6.68%, US 4.71%, Japan 4.49% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$39 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$34 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
$318 million (2002)
country comparison to the world: 167
Exchange rates:
dobras (STD) per US dollar - 16,000 (2009), 14,900 (2008), 13,700 (2007), 12,050
(2006), 9,900.4 (2005)
Communications - São Tomé and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,700 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 208
Telephones - mobile cellular:
49,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines
connected to digital switches
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 30
telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2001)
Internet country code:
.st
Internet hosts:
1,345 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 155
Internet users:
24,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 183
Transportation - São Tomé and Principe
Airports:
2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 203
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 320 km
country comparison to the world: 203
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 6
country comparison to the world: 130
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5
foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Sao Tome
Military - São Tomé and Principe
Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e
Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard
(2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,211
females age 16-49: 38,929 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,530
females age 16-49: 28,450 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,997
female: 1,922 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 147
Military - note:
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)
Transnational Issues - São Tomé and Principe
Disputes - international:
none
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