Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe Democracy is an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea on the tropical western coast of the Central African region

The two islands were uninhabited until the Portuguese explorers discovered them in the 15th century. The Portuguese gradually colonized and colonized them during the sixteenth century, and Sao Tome and Principe became a vital center for the transatlantic slave trade

The availability of fertile volcanic soil and its location near the equator have made it a favorable location for growing sugar and other commercial crops such as coffee and cocoa. This lucrative agricultural economy relied heavily on the import of African slaves. The country experienced roles of social unrest and economic instability during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and culminated in the country's independence in 1975. Since then, Sao Tome and Principe has remained one of Africa's most stable and democratic countries

Sao Tome and Principe is the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles, with a population of 199,910 people (according to the 2016 census), making it the smallest Portuguese-speaking country in the world. The majority of the population is of African and mixed descent, and most of them condemn Catholic Christianity. The Portuguese heritage is evident in the culture, customs and traditions of the country. The culture of Sao Tome and Principe is a cultural mixture that has emerged as a result of the combination of European and African influences affected by the two islands

The country’s two islands are located in the Gulf of Guinea, 240 km from the West African coast. It consists of the island of Satumi, which has an area of ​​about 859 km and is covered by mountains that grow thick jungles and cut large farms from it. As for Principe Island, it has an area of ​​142 square kilometers, and it consists of rugged mountains, with its rocks spread, and the Republic includes two other islands

The country's economy is weak and fragile, and the country has become increasingly dependent on cocoa crops since its independence in 1975. However, cocoa production has decreased significantly in recent years due to drought and poor management. Sao Tome imports all of its needs of fuel, most of the manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a large amount of food. However, it had difficulty in servicing its external debt, and the economy relied heavily on aid on concessional terms and debt rescheduling

There is great potential for development from the tourism industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. São Tome is optimistic about developing oil resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which is being developed jointly with Nigeria by 60-40. The first production licenses were sold in the year 2004, and licensing disputes with Nigeria caused São Tomé to receive more than $ 20 million in contract awards for nearly a year. The gross domestic product achieved real growth exceeding 6% in 2007, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil investments

The climate is tropical and has a temperature of 27 degrees on the coast and about 20 degrees on the mountains and rainy season from October to May