Sao Tome and Principe Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa, Gulf of Guinea.

Area
1,001 sq km (386.5 sq miles).

Population
199,579 (2007 estimate).

Population Density
199.4 per sq km.

Capital
São Tomé.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

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

Religion
Roman Catholic majority (70%), with a number of other Christian denominations also represented.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada since 2008.

Head of State
President Fradique de Menezes since 2001.

Recent History
President Fradique de Menezes, a wealthy cocoa exporter, was elected in July 2001 and re-elected in 2006.

In July 2003, a week-long military coup toppled his government while he was on a private visit to Nigeria. President de Menezes returned after an agreement to restore democratic rule was reached with the coup leaders.

The president wants revenues from new offshore oil fields to be used to improve public services. He is keen to reduce São Tomé e Príncipe’s isolation and favors stronger ties with West Africa.

Mr De Menezes is the country’s third president, after Miguel Trovoada, who served two five-year terms, the maximum permitted by the constitution (1990-2001) and Pinto da Costa (1975-1991).

The president’s ruling MDFM-PCD coalition failed to secure a parliamentary majority in the 2006 elections. In February 2008, it entered a power-sharing deal with the opposition Independent Democratic Action (ADI) party, whose leader, Patrice Trovoada, became prime minister.

Telephone
Country code: 239.

Mobile Telephone
International roaming agreements currently exist with one company. Coverage varies from very good to non-existent, depending on the area on each island.

Internet
Internet cafes are available. Access can be slow and relatively expensive.

Media
Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the constitution and respected.

Private broadcasting is not forbidden by law but the state currently controls a press agency and the only radio and television stations.

Press
• There are three privately owned newspapers, one of which is state-run.
• Tela Non Diario de São Tomé e Príncipe is published daily, in Portuguese.

Radio
• Radio Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe is the state-run national broadcaster.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the period January 2009-December 2010.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
3 Feb Heroes' Day.
1 May Labor Day.
12 Jul Independence Day.
6 Sep Armed Forces Day.
30 Sep Agricultural Reform Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
26 Nov Argel Accord Day.
21 Dec São Tomé Day (Catholic).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
3 Feb Heroes' Day.
1 May Labor Day.
12 Jul Independence Day.
6 Sep Armed Forces Day.
30 Sep Agricultural Reform Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
26 Nov Argel Accord Day.
21 Dec São Tomé Day (Catholic).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Tourism Office
CP40, Avenue Marginal 12 de Julho, São Tomé
Tel: (2) 24245.
www.saotome.st

Embassy of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe in Belgium
Square Montgommery, 175 avenue de Tervuren, 1150 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (02) 734 8966.

Embassy of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe in the USA
400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
Tel: (212) 317 0580.
Website: www.saotome.org


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