Sao Tome & Principe Travel Tips

Overview:

São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Rolas. These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The islands lie on an alignment of once-active volcanoes, with rugged landscapes, dense forests and virgin, palm-fringed beaches. These islands provide unspoiled beauty and isolation from the world now rarely found anywhere else. The history ofthe islands is dominated by the slave trade and slave-worked plantations. The town of São Tomé is picturesque, with colonial Portuguese architecture and attractive parks. There are several restaurants in the capital. Reservations are nearly always required, not for lack of space but to allow the proprietor to obtain sufficient food in advance. Grilled fish and chicken are popular. Most dishes are highly spiced.

Geography:

São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Ilheu dos Rolas (which is crossed by the Equator line). These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The landscape is varied, combining mountains, tropical forest and beaches.^ Top

History:

For centuries, the islands were one of the main trade centres of the organised slave trade. In the sixteenth century, the islands' sugar cane trade was economically dominant and led the world.Later on, the plantation cultivation of coffee and cocoa was developed, and the islands and their impressive large-scale plantations (Rocas) became the largest cocoa producers in the world by the start of the 20th century. This unique position was based on the one hand on the unusual organisational talent of the Portuguese colonialists and traders, but also on the slave-owning economy, which had been standard across the world for centuries, and which was not superseded until the 19th century by the introduction of the contractual worker system, which was, however, considered to be just as oppressive by the workers.
In 1975, a national freedom movement within the population, the global influence of communism, and the take-over of Portugal by communist forces led to the collapse of the Portuguese empire and to the independence of São Tomé e Principe in the same year. From that time on, the new state was embedded in a network of communistic African states until 1990.
During this time, there was an exodus of about 2,000 Europeans, the expropriation of the Rocas, the complete decline of the plantation economy and the far-reaching decay of the infrastructure, some of which was centuries old. The population resolutely exploited the global collapse of communism and decided in 1992 through an overwhelming majority to introduce a democratic multi-party system characterised by a market economy.Since then, under the democratically elected President Miguel Trovada and the Prime Minister Guilherme Posser, the country has tried, with increasing success, to recover economically under its own forces and with international support. Today, unlike almost every country on the continent of Africa, the island state can be characterised as stable. There is trusting co-operation with experienced government advisers from different EU states. ^ Top

Population:

The population density is approx. 130 inhabitants/km2. The mixed population is mainly of African origin, but it must be stressed that the island inhabitants do not see themselves as belonging to Africa, and they have developed their own identity. There are no ethnic problems.The majority of the population lives on São Tomé. 46 % are less than 16 years old. 80 % of the population are Christian, and 20 % follow old traditional nature religions.The official language is Portuguese. The rate of illiteracy is high, but still significantly lower than on the continent. ^ Top

Infrastructure:

Neither São Tomé nor Principe has a deep harbour. The loading and unloading of supply ships is therefore difficult. The islands each have an airport; only the airport at São Tomé is suitable for landing larger aircraft.The made-up road network outside the built-up areas totals 117 km (of which 110 km is on São Tomé and Principe).There is sufficient good quality drinking water available. ^ Top

Economy:

90 % of export income today still comes from cocoa monocultures. State plantations take up 80 % of agricultural land. In addition, copra, palm nuts and coffee are exported. 70 % of the food requirement has to be imported. Industry is restricted to the processing of agricultural products. The government is aiming to restrict the risks associated with this unbalanced economic arrangement by introducing relevant measures. The aim of all political parties is to organize the islands' infrastructure in such a way that will facilitate sensible development for tourism. Only in this way can an economically imperative and ecologically sensible additional source of income be developed. This is necessary because due to the monocultures and the lack of other opportunities to expand foreign trade through export, there is a comparatively high rate of unemployment. The government wants this to be lowered dramatically, particularly through the creation of jobs in the area of tourism.

The gross domestic product can be broken down as follows:

20 % agriculture and forestry
19 % industrial production
61 % services

By increasing tourism, the service sector can be expanded significantly. The most important trading partners are the EC states (60 % Portugal) and Angola. ^ Top

International Relationship:

São Tomé e Principe has numerous and close relationships with the European Union and the World Bank. The central bank employees are continuously trained by an important European central bank. Numerous countries from all continents have their own embassies and representatives in São Tomé. In this region of Africa, São Tomé e Principe is considered a calming influence as well as a neutral and safe meeting place for conferences. To underline the special character of São Tomé and Principe, the United States of America set up a powerful broadcasting station for "Voice of America" in 1994/1995 on the island of São Tomé. It can be assumed that the political significance of São Tomé will continue to increase due to its local/central position. ^ Top

Tourism:

After the radical political changes in 1990 - 1992, German and Swiss investors set up the first tourist hotel facilities with the active support of the Ministries responsible. In this, environmental protection considerations have been strictly followed. Thus for the first time, business and leisure tourism has become a source of state income. In the course of setting up this hotel facility, 150 positions were indirectly created for qualified employees. In addition, the supply of goods for the hotel facilities has been obtained as far as is possible and at the best quality from local sources (e.g. fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit, etc.). In this way, approx 50 additional jobs were secured. Further activities have been developed in the hotel periphery, such as a travel agency, boutique, car rental, boat charters, diving and organised walking tours in the tropical rainforests of the high mountains. ^ Top

Diving/Walking:

The diving areas of São Tomé and Principe have not yet been developed. Divers will in the future find a new world here (it is possible to become a member of the "Equator Diving Club" under certain conditions).The islands of São Tomé and Principe offer the diver an unusual wealth of different fish. The sighting of large fish, rays and sea turtles can be guaranteed. norklers too will have a great time (e.g. in the Lagoa Azul or at Ilhéu Santana). The Hotel Miramar has a diving compressor for filling at the Hotel (USD 8) and can arrange boat transportation if required.
Since 2001 a holiday-resort is built at the equator-island "Ilheu Rolas". There is also a fully equiped diving base professionally run by Mr. Luis Martines. Divers will be brougt by boat to the most beautifull diving places at the island. You can either come to the diving center by boat or along the coastroad to Port Alegre (1 1/2 hour by Jeep - good road) an then brought over to the island "Ilhas Rolas" by boat.

Suitable footwear must be taken for jungle and mountain walking (Pico São Tomé, 2024 m). The ascent of Pico São Tomé (two days, with one overnight stop, some alpine conditions!) should only be made with a guide. The mountain ascent in the nature reserve passes through several climate zones in the mist shrouded tropical jungle and offers incomparable sights of trees and plants.The jungle of São Tomé was classified in 1988 by the "International Scientific Association" as one of the two most important jungles of this type in Africa due to its plant variety. Of the 700 local plant types, about 100 of these are only found in São Tomé and Principe, including a begonia that grows up to 3 m high, and unique orchids.

The bird life is one of the natural wonders of the country: out of the 55 species here, 15 occur only in this place in the world and thus are some of the rarest birds in the world. The São Tomé "Grosbeak" has only been seen twice, in 1888 and in 1991.This unique jungle is being protected for the benefit of later generations in an exemplary manner by the ECOFAC program, financed by the European Union. In particular, ECOFAC provides knowledgeable jungle guides. It goes without saying that due to the tropical location and the wealth of water and jungle, and as in all tropical countries, protection against malaria is recommended as a minimum. Therefore, please contact your doctor in good time before your trip. ^ Top

MORE AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN SAO TOME & PRINCIPE