2010 Edition

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.

Area

land

964 sq km

total

964 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Coastline

209 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

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

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Geography - note

the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous

Irrigated land

100 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

8.33%

other

42.71% (2005)

permanent crops

48.96%

Location

Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, hydropower

Terrain

volcanic, mountainous

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188) 15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

39.09 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

8.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

52.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

56.75 deaths/1,000 live births

total

54.64 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Portuguese (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

63.91 years (2010 est.)

male

61.58 years

total population

62.73 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

77.9% (2001 census)

male

92.2%

total population

84.9%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

Median age

female

17.9 years (2010 est.)

male

17 years

total

17.5 years

Nationality

adjective

Sao Tomean

noun

Sao Tomean(s)

Net migration rate

-9.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

175,808 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

2.112% (2010 est.)

Religions

Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

11 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

11 years

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.)

Total fertility rate

5.21 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

61% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995

Capital

geographic coordinates

0 12 N, 6 39 E

name

Sao Tome

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990

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

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Ovidio PEQUENO

FAX

[1] (202) 775-2077

telephone

[1] (202) 775-2075, 2076

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Fradique Bandiera Melo DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)

election results

Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%

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

head of government

Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008)

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; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic

Independence

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, 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, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)

Legal system

based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 26, MLSTP 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1

elections

last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA note: adopted 1975

name

"Independencia total" (Total Independence)

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish

Central bank discount rate

16% (31 December 2009) 28% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

32.4% (31 December 2009 est.) 32.4% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$73 million (2010 est.) -$49 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$318 million (2002)

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 and Principe 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 and Principe 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, the government 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 and Principe'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 the country's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year.

Electricity - consumption

17.67 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

19 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

dobras (STD) per US dollar - 19,641 (2010), 16,000 (2009), 14,900 (2008), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006)

Exports

$13 million (2010 est.) $10 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil

Exports - partners

UK 32.99%, Netherlands 26.93%, Belgium 21.04%, Portugal 4.31% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

14.7%

industry

22.9%

services

62.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800 (2010 est.) $1,700 (2009 est.) $1,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6% (2010 est.) 4% (2009 est.) 5.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$187 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$316.9 million (2010 est.) $299 million (2009 est.) $287.5 million (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$99 million (2010 est.) $80 million (2009 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)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2010 est.)

Industries

light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13% (2010 est.) 16.7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

41% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

52,490 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

726 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

54% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$46 million (31 December 2010 est.) $39 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$82.2 million (31 December 2009) $64.79 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit

$17.14 million (31 December 2010 est.) $16.57 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$17.18 million (31 December 2010 est) $19.1 million (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.st

Internet hosts

1,514 (2010)

Internet users

26,700 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 35 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches

international

country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

7,800 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

64,000 (2009)

Airports

2 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2

foreign-owned

1 (Greece 1) (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

Sao Tome

Roadways

paved

218 km

total

320 km

unpaved

102 km (2000)

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

female

1,922 (2010 est.)

male

1,997

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)

Military branches

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2010)

Military expenditures

0.8% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

Disputes - international

none page last updated on January 20, 2011 ======================================================================