World Country Guide

General Information

Area
1001 sq km (386.5 sq miles).

Population
161,000 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density
137.5 per sq km (census of 2001).

Capital
So Tom.

Geography
So Tom e Prncipe comprises two main islands (Sa Tom and Prncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Ilheu dos Rolas (which is crossed by the Equator line). These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The landscape is varied, combining mountains, tropical forest and beaches.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Fradique de Menezes since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Damiao Vaz d'Almeida since 2004.

Language
Portuguese is the official language. Creole is also spoken. Some English is spoken, but French is more common.

Religion
Roman Catholic majority (82 per cent), with a number of other Christian denominations also represented.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC.

Communications

Telephone
Very limited IDD is available.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900. Main network provider is Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicacoes (SARL) (website: www.cstome.net).

Internet
At present there is extremely limited access in the capital.

Telegram
Facilities are available in the capital and main hotels

Fax
Services are available from the telephone office and some major hotels (overseas faxes are very expensive).

Post
Airmail to Europe takes approximately one week to Europe and the USA

Press
Newspapers are printed in Portuguese.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.