Geography

Rainforest in the Obo National Park, the island of São Tomé

Photo: John Caddick

São Tomé and Príncipe are islands in the Gulf of Guinea in western Africa, west of Gabon. The islands have a land area of 1,001 km2, a coastline of 209 km and an estimated population of 176,000 and represent the smallest country in Africa, The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. They form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes. Two other islands in the chain, Bioko, the largest and nearest to the mainland and Annobón, the smallest and more inaccessible, are part of Equatorial Guinea. The climate is hot and humid with one rainy season from October to May and the terrain is volcanic and mountainous with Pico de São Tomé being the highest point at 2,024 m. The official language is Portuguese although English is spoken at hotels and by some guides. Further details can be found at CIA Factbook.