Portal:São Tomé and Príncipe - Wikipedia

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São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 150 km (93.21 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km (155 and 140 mi) off the northwestern coast of Gabon. With a population of 201,800 (2018 official estimate), São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles.

The islands were uninhabited until their discovery in 1470 by Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar. Gradually colonized and settled throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade centre for the Atlantic slave trade. The rich volcanic soil and proximity to the equator made São Tomé and Príncipe ideal for sugar cultivation, followed later by cash crops such as coffee and cocoa; the lucrative plantation economy was heavily dependent upon enslaved Africans. Cycles of social unrest and economic instability throughout the 19th and 20th centuries culminated in peaceful independence in 1975. São Tomé and Príncipe has since remained one of Africa's most stable and democratic countries. São Tomé and Príncipe is a developing economy with a medium Human Development Index.

The people of São Tomé and Príncipe are predominantly of African and mestiço descent, with most practicing Christianity. The legacy of Portuguese rule is also visible in the country's culture, customs, and music, which fuse European and African influences. São Tomé and Príncipe is a founding member state of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. (Full article...)

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São Tomé is the capital and largest city of the Central African island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its name is Portuguese for "Saint Thomas". Founded in the 15th century, it is one of Africa's oldest colonial cities. (Full article...)

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Pico de São Tomé Fradique de Menezes Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé Island Ilhéu das Rolas Autonomous Region of Príncipe Pico Cão Grande Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé São Tomé International Airport Football in São Tomé and Príncipe Neves, São Tomé and Príncipe Ana Chaves Bay Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party Evaristo Carvalho Jorge Bom Jesus LGBT rights in São Tomé and Príncipe Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho National Library of São Tomé and Príncipe Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, São Tomé Santo António Príncipe Airport São Sebastião Museum Presidential Palace of São Tomé e Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe women's national football team Cameroon line Community of Portuguese Language Countries

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São Tomé and Príncipe competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, which was held from 13 to 29 August 2004. The country's participation at Athens marked its third appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Two track and field athletes, Yazaldes Nascimento and Fumilay Fonseca, were selected to represent the nation via wildcards, as the nation had no athletes that met either the "A" or "B" qualifying standards. Fonseca was selected as flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Fonseca was also notable for becoming the youngest ever athlete to represent São Tomé and Príncipe at the Summer Olympics, aged 16 years and 92 days. This is a record which still stands today. (Full article...)

List of Olympics events articles
São Tomé and Príncipe at the 1996 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2008 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2016 Summer Paralympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2012 Summer Olympics São Tomé and Príncipe at the 2016 Summer Olympics

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...São Tomé and Príncipe is the smallest country in the world that is not a former British overseas territory, a former United States trusteeship, or one of the European microstates.

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A typical beach on the island of São Tomé
The shores near Ponta Figo, a village on São Tomé Island
Hiking in the equatorial forest on the island of São Tomé
Armed Forces of São Tomé and Príncipe personnel undergo medical training with US Navy personnel
A view at Príncipe
The island of São Tomé off the west coast of Africa
Island of Príncipe (Sao Tome and Principe), 1727. The inscription says: "The ISLAND of PRINCESS lies between the Islands of FERNANDO PO & St. THOMÉ in the Latitude of 1 Degree 30 Minutes N. all belonging to the Portuguese. This Island is very Woody and breeds abundance of Monkeys, insomuch that it is not safe to walk in the Woods without a gun. The harbour is very convenient to Careen Ships in, and most Ships Bound from Africa to America with Slaves put in here for Food, Water etc."
Palm trees on the Ilhéu das Rolas
Waterfalls near Ponta Figo, São Tomé and Príncipe
Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing São Tomé, Príncipe, and Annobón. These islands, together with the island of Bioko and Mount Cameroon on the African mainland, are part of the Cameroon line of volcanoes.

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