Sao-Tome-and-Principe

SAO-TOME-AND-PRINCIPE

Information about travelling to Sao-Tome-and-Principe

Sao-Tome-and-Principe is located in Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Facts about Sao-Tome-and-Principe
Population206,178 (July 2008 est.)
CapitalSao Tome
Time zoneUTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Location Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

General info about Sao-Tome-and-Principe
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.
Disease threats
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid
Languages spoken
Portuguese (official)
Ethnic division
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)
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
NA
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Resources
fish, hydropower
Economy
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. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. 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 exceeded 6% in 2007, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.
Environment
deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

Cities in Sao-Tome-and-Principe



Airports in Sao-Tome-and-Principe
Porto AlegrePGP


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