A former Portuguese colony, an independent nation since 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe wants to foster quality tourism, offering a unique setting for you to discover, preserving its luxuriant landscapes as best it can, its singular architecture and, above all, its quiet, serene culture.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a developing country, whose economy is based on coffee, cocoa, small-scale agriculture and fishing. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, over the equator, approx. 220km from the west shores of Africa, it is the second smallest state in the continent, after the Seychelles.
The archipelago is of volcanic origin. It is comprised of the islands of São Tomé (854 Km²) and Príncipe (136 Km²). Additionally there is a number of islets, the surface area totaling 1001 Km². When you travel the islands you will find lush vegetation, crisscrossed by brooks, and discover peaks of various altitudes. Chief among them are the Pico of São Tomé, at a height of 2024m, Pico Pinheiro, Pico Calvário, Pico Cabumbé, Pico of Príncipe, Pico Papagaio, and Pico Cão Grande, the latter a major landmark in the country
The population total is about 140 000 (around 7 000) in Príncipe. The people are of mixed backgrounds (Angolan, Capeverdian, European). They are open, warm and welcoming and like to associate with foreigners, despite the poverty of the country.
