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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.st

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

996 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

23,000 (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate facilities domestic: minimal system international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

7,100 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

12,000 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $42.96 million expenditures: $59.61 million (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

dobra (STD)

Current account balance [time series]

$-46 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$318 million (2002)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$31.9 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily 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, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, Sao Tome signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. 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. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed Sao Tome's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year. Real GDP growth exceeded 4% in 2006, as a result of increases in public expenditures and oil-related capital investment.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

16.74 million kWh (2005)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - production [time series]

18 million kWh (2005)

Exchange rates [time series]

dobras per US dollar - 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), NA 9,902.3 (2004), 9,347.6 (2003), 9,088.3 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$3 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil

Exports - partners [time series]

Netherlands 47.9%, Belgium 19%, Portugal 9.3% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$71.38 million (2005 est.)

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

$278 million (2006 est.)

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

agriculture: 15% industry: 13.7% services: 71.3% (2006 est.)

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

$1,200 (2003 est.)

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

4.4% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$63 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products

Imports - partners [time series]

Portugal 48.8%, France 19.7%, Belgium 5.1%, US 5.1% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

23.1% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

40.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

35,050 (1991)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

660 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

54% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$36 million (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

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

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

1 00 N, 7 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous

Irrigated land [time series]

100 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 8.33% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 42.71% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

fish, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

volcanic, mountainous

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995

Capital [time series]

name: Sao Tome geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990

Country name [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

Diplomatic representation from the US [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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA chancery: 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (212) 317-0580 FAX: [1] (212) 935-7348 consulate(s): Atlanta

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ (since 21 April 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 30 July 2006 (next to be held July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%

Flag (Flag description) [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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 26 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - MDFM-PCD 37.2%, MLSTP 28.9%, ADI 20.0%, NR 4.7%, others 9.2%; seats by party - MDFM-PCD 23, MLSTP 19, ADI 12, NR 1

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

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

Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Although the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to have a significant impact on the country's economy.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 33,438 females age 18-49: 35,279 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 25,950 females age 18-49: 28,660 (2005 est.)

Military - note [time series]

Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Navy, Presidential Guard (2007)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.8% (2006)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) (2004)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 47.3% (male 47,796/female 46,589) 15-64 years: 49% (male 47,386/female 50,412) 65 years and over: 3.7% (male 3,383/female 4,013) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

39.72 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.28 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Ethnic groups [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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 40.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.42 deaths/1,000 live births female: 38.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

Portuguese (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.64 years male: 66.03 years female: 69.3 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.9% male: 92.2% female: 77.9% (2001 census)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria (2007)

Median age [time series]

total: 16.2 years male: 15.7 years female: 16.8 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

199,579 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.13% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.026 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.843 male(s)/female total population: 0.976 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.53 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Transportation

Airports [time series]

2 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 20,455 GRT/27,871 DWT by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 6 foreign-owned: 2 (Egypt 1, Greece 1) (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Sao Tome

Roadways [time series]

total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999)