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Sao Tome and Principe Background Information

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.

Sao Tome and Principe Quickstats

  • Population: 199,579 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 1,001 sq km
  • Density: 171 /km² (65th)
  • GDP (total): $214 million (218th)
  • GDP (per capita): $1,266 (205th)
  • Literacy: 84.9%

Languages of Sao Tome and Principe

Useful to know

  • Currency: Dobra (STD)
  • Dial code: +239

International Trade

External sites

More Resources

Sao Tome and Principe Internet

  • Usage: 20,000
  • Penetration: 11.5 %
  • Top Domain: .tp

WT eBusiness info:

  • Success Ranking: 100
  • Market testing: Untested
  • Overall risk: High
  • Overall reward: Low

e-maturity:

  • Tourism: 10%
  • eCommerce: 10%
  • Gaming: 10%
  • eLearning: 10%

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