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Sao Tome and Principe
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Capital: Sao Tome
Population: 215,056
Brief History of Sao Tome and Principe:
Sao Tome and Principe is a small island nation off the west coast of Africa. When it was first discovered by the Portuguese in the 1400s, the island was uninhabited. Alvaro Caminha built the first settlement on the island of Sao Tome in 1493. In the 1500s both islands became colonies of Portugal.
For a period of time, the island became a major exporter of sugar, however this died out in the 1600s. It wasn't until the 1800s when coffee and cocoa were introduced and the island once again had a valuable export.
In 1975 Sao and Principe became a fully independent country. The first president was Manuel Pinto da Costa. He was president until 1990.
The Geography of Sao Tome and Principe
Total Size: 1,001 square km
Size Comparison: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Geographical Coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
World Region or Continent: Africa
General Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Geographical Low Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Major cities: SAO TOME (capital) 60,000 (2009)
The People of Sao Tome and Principe
Type of Government: republic
Languages Spoken: Portuguese (official)
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality: Sao Tomean(s)
Religions: Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
National Symbol:
National Anthem or Song: Independencia total (Total Independence)
Economy of Sao Tome and Principe
Major Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Agricultural Products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Natural Resources: fish, hydropower
Major Exports: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Major Imports: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Currency: dobra (STD)
National GDP: $379,000,000
** Source for population (2012 est.) and GDP (2011 est.) is CIA World Factbook.
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