São tomé e Principe - MC Grecof

Introduction

Flag:

Card:

Background:

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991.

Geography

Location:

Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Coordinates:

1° 00' N, 7° 00' E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 1,001 sq km
land: 1,001 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

209 km

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Terrain:

volcanic, mountainous

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Natural resources:

fish, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 36%
permanent pastures: 1%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 61% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

100 sq km (1993 est.)

People

Population:

165,034 (July 2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean

Ethnic groups:

mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)

Religions:

Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)

Languages:

Portuguese (official)

Government

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe

Government type:

republic

Capital:

SaoTome

Independence:

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Flag description:

three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy

Economy - overview:

This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken the economy. At the same time, progress in the economic reform program has attracted international financial institutions' support, and GDP growth will likely rise to at least 4% in 2001-02.

Industries:

light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber

Currency:

SaoTome Dobra (STD)

Currency code:

STD

Transportation

Railways:

0 km

Highways:

total: 320 km
paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (1996)

Waterways:

none

Ports and harbors:

Santo Antonio, SaoTome

Coffee

Coffee drinkers, if there are one of the elected, who were able to taste coffee from Sao Tome and Principe ever - are enthusiastic about the excellent quality of the coffee taste

The coffee production of the islands is small. Only about 1,000 bags of coffee are exported per year. However, they are of a exquisite quality.

The coffee from Sao Tome and Principe combines a full-bodied, mellow flavor with a discrete but delicate sweetness. The flavor is very balanced and has a gentle smoky aftertaste.

Coffeetyp:

Arabica

Main customers:

Scandinavia, the Benelux countries

Classifikation:

sizes and flavors

Harvest volume:

ca. 1.000 bags (each 60 kg net.)

Fermentation:

Yes

Sorting:

by hand