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Tour Guide -
General information
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Republic Democratic of Sao Tome and Principe is a nation country made up of two small volcanic islands and several islets located in the Gulf of Guinea, approximately 180 miles off the africa west coast. Often called just Sao Tome Islands for short, this former portuguese colony, was once home to thriving coffee and cocoa plantations and served as a hub for trans-Atlantic colonial slave trade. It achieved independence in 1975. Of Sao Tome and Principe's total population, about 137,500 live on Sao Tome and 6,000 on Principe. All are descended from various ethnic groups that have migrated to the islands since 1485.  | | Capital: Sao Tomé | | Official Languages: Portuguese | | Local Language: foro and Lungui ie | | Currency: Dobras (Dbs) | | Time: GMT all years round | | Religion: Christinanity | | Main exports: cocoa |
The Sao Tome Islands are a lush tropical mix of habitats: thick forest with ancient volcanic plugs towering up above the canopy (some peaks jutting to over 6,000 feet); lowland cocoa plantations with large shade trees; and drier, open savanna scrub. The coastline is a mix of sandy beaches, fringing mangrove, and low cliffs. Sao Tome and Principe have recently designated protected areas to be known as the Obo National Park. These areas include primary rainforests filled with exotic birds and lush vegetation. There are over 700 species of native plants (including 100 unique orchids) and 143 birds, many of which are only found in Sao Tome. Supposedly “lost” species of birds have been identified—the dwarf olive ibis, the Sao Tome fiscal shrike, the Sao Tome short-tail, and the Sao Tome grosbeak. Sea turtles proliferate in the shallows around the island. | Country Information | Tourist Attractions | Planning your trip | | | |
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