Background: 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. Although independence was achieved in 1975 democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1989.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 209 km

Maritime claims: (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines); Extended economic zone:200 nm; Territorial sea:12 nm

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

Terrain: volcanic, mountainous

Natural resources: fish

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

Geography
Note: located south of Nigeria and west of Gabon at the Equator in the North Atlantic Ocean

Population: 120,993 (July 1989), growth rate 3.0% (1989)

Nationality: noun - Sao Tomean(s); adjective - Sao Tomean

Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendents of Angolan slaves), forros (descendents of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), and Europeans (primarily Portuguese)

Languages: Portuguese (official)

Religions: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist

Birth rate: 38 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: deforestation; soil erosion

Infant mortality rate: 51 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 70 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 5.4 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: 50% (est.)

Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

Government type: republic

Capital: Sao Tome

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

Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Constitution: 5 November 1975, approved 15 December 1982

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

Suffrage: universal for age 18 and over

Executive branch: Chief of State President Dr. Manuel Pinto da COSTA (since 12 July 1975); Head of Government Prime Minister Celestino Rocha da COSTA (since 8 January 1988)

Legislative branch: Army, Navy

International organization participation: AfDB, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: Ambassador Joaquim Rafael BRANCO; Chancery (temporary) at 801 Second Avenue, Suite 1504, New York, NY 10,017; telephone (212) 697-4,211; US - the US Ambassador in Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands

Flag description: 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

Economy overview: The economy has remained dependent on cocoa since gaining independence nearly 15 years ago. Since then, however, cocoa production has gradually deteriorated because of drought and mismanagement, so that by 1987 output had fallen to less than 50% of its former levels. 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. In 1987 the value of imports exceeded that of exports by a ratio of 4 to 1. 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. In 1987 Sao Tome was unable to service its external debt, which amounted to 78% of export earnings. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government has also implemented a Five-Year Plan covering 1986-90 to restructure the economy and reschedule external debt service payments in cooperation with the International Development Association and Western lenders.

Agriculture products: cocoa, copra, coconuts, coffee, palm oil, bananas

Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing

Industrial production growth rate: 7.1% (1986)

Labor force: 21,096 (1981); most of population engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; labor shortages on plantations and of skilled workers; 56% of population of working age (1983)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $19.2 million; expenditures $25.1 million, including capital expenditures of $19.9 million (1987)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $9.8 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.)
Commodities: cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Partners: NA

Imports: $2.6 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.)
Commodities: machinery and electrical equipment 59%, food products 32%, fuels 9%
Partners: Portugal, US, FRG, GDR

Debt external: $72 million (1985)

Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 35.408 (July 1987), NA (1987), 36.993 (1986), 41.195 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 6,000 kW capacity; 7 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1988)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: NA

Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m