Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe is an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea on the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelago around the two main islands of Sao Tome and Principe. It is about 140 km (87 miles) away from the northwest coast of Gabon, and about 250 km and 225 km (155 miles and 140 miles). Sao Tome and Principe is Africa's sovereign state after Seychelles with a population of 201,800 (official estimate for 2018), and is the smallest and least populous Portuguese-speaking country in the world.

The islands were uninhabited until they were discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. It was gradually colonized and settled throughout the 16th century and collectively functioned as an important commercial and trade center for the Atlantic slave trade. Due to its rich volcanic soil and proximity to the equator, Sao Tome and Principe was ideal for sugar cultivation, followed by cash crops such as coffee and cocoa. The lucrative plantation economy relied heavily on African slaves. The cycle of social unrest and economic instability in the 19th and 20th centuries led to peaceful independence in 1975. Since then, Sao Tome and Principe has been one of the most stable democracies in Africa.

The people of Sao Tome and Principe are mainly of African and Mestizo descent and practice Catholic Christianity the most. The legacy of Portuguese rule can also be found in the culture, customs and music of the country, which blends European and African influences. Sao Tome and Principe is a founding member of the Community of Portuguese Countries.