FACTS ABOUT SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT

SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE

1.                 The official name of the country is the “Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.”

2.                 Sao Tome is the capital city of Sao Tome and Principe.

3.                 The total population of Sao Tome and Principe is 199,910.

4.                 The natives of Sao Tome and Principe are called Sao Tomeans.

5.                 The Dobra (STD) is official currency of Sao Tome and Principe.

6.                 The official language of Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese.

7.                 Sao Tome and Principe has many beautiful beaches.

8.                 Sao Tome and Principe is the smallest of all Portuguese-speaking countries.

9.                 The country gained independence on the 12^th of July 1975 from Portugal.

10.            Sao Tome became one of the first African countries to adopt democratic reforms and changes to its constitution.

11.            Sao Tome and Principe is the second-smallest African country when it comes to population. It is also the smallest country in the world that is not a former British overseas territory, a former U.S trusteeship or one of the European microstates

12.            The island nation is home to a large number of birds and plants, including the world’s smallest ibis and the world’s largest sunbird and many other giant species of Begonia.

13.            Coca is the main crop of the island nation and it represents 95% of the country’s export. Other export crops include copra, palm kernels and coffee.

14.            There are around 6 banks in the country. The largest and the oldest bank among these 6 banks is ‘Banco Internacional de Sao Tome e Principe’. This bank is the subsidiary of the Portugal government owned Caixa Geral de Depositos.

15.            The country’s real GDP growth according to the 2006 estimate is 5.5%.

16.            Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Angola, Germany, USA and Brazil are the main trading partners of the nation.

17.            Malaria is the major and the most dangerous disease prevalent in the nation.

18.            The island of Sao Tome was named after Saint Thomas by the Portuguese explorers who happened to arrive at the island at the saint’s feast day.

19.            This island of Sao Tome and Principe was inhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese to the island sometime around 1470.

20.            The two main islands are a part of a mountain range consisting of none active volcanoes.

21.            The people are very friendly and it’s quite safe to go out in the park at night or even sleep on the beaches.

22.            The jungle is full of fruits and the ocean is full of fish, so the people do not have to worry about running out of food.

23.            There are no dangerous animals like tigers, lions, deadly snakes or spiders in the jungle.

24.            In 1991 São Tomé and Principe held its first multi-party election and have held regularly and fair elections ever since.

25.            They have four national languages which include Portuguese, Portuguese-based creoles Forro, Angolar and Principense. French is also taught in the schools.

26.            Traditional palm oil stew is the national dish.