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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Security Police

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

$NA, NA% of GDP

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 34,986 males fit for military service: 18,343 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

33,000 (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: minimal system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

2,200 (1986 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (1992 est.)

Televisions [time series]

NA Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papaya, beans; poultry; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $58 million expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $NA

Economic overview [time series]

This small poor island economy has remained dependent on cocoa since independence 20 years ago. Since then, however, cocoa production has gradually declined because of drought and mismanagement, so that by 1987 annual output had fallen from 10,000 tons to 3,900 tons. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for export has created a serious balance-of-payments problem. Production of less important crops, such as coffee, copra, and palm kernels, has also declined. The value of imports generally exceeds that of exports by a ratio of 3 to 1 or more. The emphasis on cocoa production at the expense of other food crops has meant that Sao Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It also has to import all fuels and most manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao Tome has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. 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 and to encourage market-based mechanisms, e.g., to facilitate the distribution of imported food. Annual GDP growth has hovered around 1.5% since 1991.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 5,000 kW production: 17 million kWh consumption per capita: 105 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

dobras (Db) per US$1 - 1,610 (May 1995), 129.59 (1 July 1993), 230 (1992), 260.0 (November 1991), 122.48 (December 1988), 72.827 (1987)

Exports [time series]

$7.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: cocoa 85%-90%, copra, coffee, palm oil partners: Netherlands, Germany, China, Portugal

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$250 million (1995 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $138 million (1994 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 28% industry: 14% services: 58% (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$1,000 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

1.5% (1994 est.)

Imports [time series]

$23.8 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum partners: France, Belgium, Japan, Angola, Italy, US

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (1991)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

38% (1994 est.)

Labor force [time series]

most of population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of plantation labor and of skilled workers

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 960 sq km land area: 960 sq km comparative area: more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

209 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification

Geographic coordinates [time series]

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

none

Irrigated land [time series]

NA sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 75% other: 3%

Location [time series]

Western Africa, island in the Atlantic Ocean, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

fish

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Principe, Sao Tome

Capital [time series]

Sao Tome

Constitution [time series]

approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos AUGUSTO Ferreira, located at 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1] (212) 697-4211

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 3 March 1991 (next to be held 30 June 1996); results - Miguel TROVOADA was elected without opposition in Sao Tome's first multiparty presidential election head of government: Prime Minister Armindo UAZ de ALMEIDA (since 29 December 1995) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister

Flag [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the National Peoples Assembly

Legal system [time series]

based on Portuguese law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Popular Nacional) parliament dissolved by President TROVOADA in July 1994; early elections held 2 October 1994 (next to be held NA); results - MLSTP 27%, PCD-GR 25.5%, ADI 25.5%; seats - (55 total) MLSTP 27, PCD-GR 14, ADI 14

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group (PCD-GR), Daniel Lima Dos Santos DAIO, secretary general; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP), Carlos da GRACA; Christian Democratic Front (FDC), Alphonse Dos SANTOS; Democratic Opposition Coalition (CODO), leader NA; Independent Democratic Action (ADI), Patrice TROVOADA; other small parties

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 40% (male 29,103; female 28,633) 15-64 years: 55% (male 39,749; female 39,960) 65 years and over: 5% (male 2,973; female 3,710) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

34.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

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)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

61.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

Portuguese (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 63.87 years male: 61.95 years female: 65.83 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.) total population: 73% male: 85% female: 62%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

144,128 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.58% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 298 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 100 km (1987 est.) note: roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,096 GRT/1,105 DWT (1995 est.)

Ports [time series]

Santo Antonio, Sao Tome

Railways [time series]

0 km