São Tomé and Príncipe

I

Introduction

São Tomé and Príncipe, island republic, located about 200 km (124 mi) off the western coast of Africa, in the Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, the archipelago comprises the islands of São Tomé, Príncipe, and several small islets, including Pedras Tinhosas and Rolas. The total area of the republic is 1,001 sq km (386 sq mi), of which the island of São Tomé makes up almost 90 per cent. The capital is the town of São Tomé.

II

Land and Resources

The islands are volcanic in origin, with mountainous interiors and fertile soils. The highest point is Tomé Peak (2,024 m/6,640 ft) on São Tomé. Lowlands flank the north-eastern and south-western coasts of the islands. The climate is tropical with virtually no seasonal temperature variations; the main modifications reflect the differences in altitude. The average annual temperature is 25.6° C (78° F). The average annual rainfall varies greatly with elevation but is plentiful in most locations; a dry season lasts from June to October. Uncontrolled logging is a continuing problem in the country’s primary forests. Soil exhaustion and erosion are additional problems.

III

Population

São Tomé and Príncipe has a total population of 199,579 (2007 estimate). The town of São Tomé, with a population of 53,570 (2003 estimate), located on the north-eastern coast of São Tomé island, is the principal port as well as the capital. The population is predominantly black African and Mestiço (mixed ancestry) descended mainly from slaves. Some 10 per cent of the people are Portuguese and Creole. Roman Catholicism is the faith of about 80 per cent of the islanders. Average life expectancy in 2007 was 66 years for men and 69 years for women.

A

Language

Portuguese is the official language, spoken by around 2,500 people as a mother tongue. However, São Tomense is the national language, with almost 70,000 speakers. A Portuguese-based creole, it takes much of its vocabulary from Kwa and Western Bantu languages (Niger-Congo Languages). Two other Portuguese-based creoles are also spoken: Angolar (5,000 speakers) and Principense (1,500), both of which have a lexical similarity with São Tomense. Principense is nearly extinct however, as most of its few speakers are elderly. Fang (from the Bantu language family subset), not an indigenous language in São Tomé and Príncipe, is spoken by around 13,200.