ETHNIC DIVISIONS: 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)
RELIGION: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist
LANGUAGE: Portuguese (official)
LITERACY: 50% (est.)
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)
ORGANIZED LABOR: NA
.GOVERNMENT OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
LONG-FORM NAME: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
TYPE: republic
CAPITAL: Sao Tome
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 2 districts (concelhos, singular--concelho); Principe, Sao Tome
INDEPENDENCE: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
CONSTITUTION: 5 November 1975, approved 15 December 1982
LEGAL SYSTEM: based on Portuguese law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
NATIONAL HOLIDAY: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
BRANCHES: president heads the government assisted by a Cabinet of ministers; unicameral legislature (40-member National People's Assembly), elected for five years
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)
SUFFRAGE: universal for age 18 and over
ELECTIONS: President da Costa reelected by National People's Assembly in May 1980 and September 1985; National People's Assembly and People's District Assemblies elections last held in 1985
POLITICAL PARTIES AND LEADERS: Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP) Marxist-Lennist Party, Manuel Pinto da Costa
DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION: Ambassador Joaquim Rafael BRANCO; Chancery (temporary) at 801 Second Avenue, Suite 1504, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 697-4211
U.S. FOREIGN SERVICE POST: the US Ambassador in Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
FLAG: 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 OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
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.
GDP: $37.9 million, per capita $340; real growth rate 1.8% (1986)
INFLATION RATE (CONSUMER PRICES): 4.2% (1986)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: NA%
BUDGET: revenues $19.2 million; expenditures $25.1 million, including capital expenditures of $19.9 million (1987)
EXPORTS: $9.8 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.); commodities-- cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil; partners-- NA
CURRENCY: dobra (plural--dobras); 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
EXCHANGE RATES: dobras (Db) per US$1--35.408 (July 1987), NA (1987), 36.993 (1986), 41.195 (1985)
FISCAL YEAR: calendar year
.COMMUNICATIONS IN SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
HIGHWAYS: 300 km (186 mi) (two-thirds are paved); roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair
PORTS: Sao Tome, Santo Antonio
CIVIL AIR: 7 major transport aircraft
AIRPORTS: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: minimal system; 2,200 telephones; stations--1 AM, 2 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean satellite ground station
.DEFENSE FORCES OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
BRANCHES: Army, Navy
MILITARY MANPOWER: males 15-49, 26,707; 14,072 fit for military service
MILITARY BUDGET: NA
.TRAVEL IN SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Passport and visa required. Tourist visa available for visit up to 2 weeks, extendable after arrival, no charge. Requires 2 photos, 2 applications. Company letter needed for business visa. Enclose prepaid envelope or postage for return of passport by certified mail. Vaccination certificate required for yellow fever.
HEALTH: Tapwater is not potable. Unwashed raw foods or undercooked meats are not safe to eat. Malaria suppressants are recommended. Health requirements change; check latest information.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING: Lightweight, washable clothing is recommended year round. Evenings in the interior may require a sweater.
TELEPHONE: Calls to Sao Tome and Principe should be made through the international operator.
TIME: 5 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time, and the same as Greenwich Mean Time.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: Martyrs' Day (Feb 4); Independence Day (Jul 12); Armed Forces Day (1st week in Sep); Farmers' Day (Sep 30).
IMPORTANT!! All requirements/recommendations are subject to change. Be sure to check latest information.
