Floating in the Gulf of Guinea, são tomé and príncipe makes for a picture-perfect vacation destination and blends natural wonders with a gripping history.
This two-island nation, is the second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous
São Tomé & Príncipe (STP) is amazingly safe and welcoming to visitors, particularly ecotourists, for whom the advancing jungle is a delight. Being a former Portuguese colony, Portuguese is the the national language and spoken by 98.4% of the population, Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4% (2012 est.)
Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century – all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. The country gained independence in 1975.
The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations.
Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mestico (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese).
Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation’s population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities.
Sao Tome and Principe is a youthful country. More than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth.
Sights and Sounds in STP
Tidy and unspoiled Príncipe is a magnificent Lost World, offering fantastic beaches, jungle exploration, snorkelling, fishing, birdwatching and a handful of interesting accommodations.
Numerous phonolite towers also give Príncipe its Lost World vibe.
The spectacular Bay of Spires is not just Príncipe’s top attraction, but STP’s as well. It’s best seen from the water, where the postcard view of the island’s world-class skyline slowly unfolds, including phonolite towers named (for obvious reasons) the Father, the Son and the Grandson, along with Table Mountain.
The Great Canine is the poster image of São Tomé, and an awesome sight. An enormous tooth of rock 663m high, it is a hardened column of magma, the remains of an ancient volcano whose softer outer shell has long since eroded away.
Roça Agua Izė, a Plantation in Southern Coast make for a good introduction to the plantation chapter of São Tomé history. This was the plantation that kicked off the cocoa industry in STP, and it still farms the bean, albeit at a much lower production level.
For beach lovers, Praia Banana is perfect. Once the subject of a world-famous Bacardi advertisement, this picture-perfect tropical beach is located on the grounds of Roça Belo Monte. You will find golden sands, in the shape of a banana, beneath swaying palms and hidden beneath the trees is a small bar and lounge chairs. There is snorkeling at either end, excellent swimming in between, and kayaks available from resort staff.
Sample são tomé nightlife
For best cocktails, Pico Mocambo is the place to go. This delightful rum bar spread across the grounds of a historic plantation house strikes just the right note with its plantation shutters and bamboo furniture, not to mention cocktails.
Cesar Cafe Bar in São Tomé city is another cool hangout. This cute chill-out bar occupies an old warehouse on the seafront and is a great place to hang out after a weekend meal.
For the best seafoods in São Tomé, Papa Figo is the place to go. This charming, well-kept and tin-roofed patio restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners alike.Everything on the menu has an interesting new twist with tasty sides and special drinks served round the clock. The thick fish steaks are world class: don’t miss the barracuda. If you love contemporary foods Pizza and hamburgers are also served.