Sao Tome - Culture

The country is made up of two main islands, São Tomé and Principe, and several small islets. Lying on the equator the climate is hot and humid, although different micro climates mean there are dry planes of grass in the North of São Tomé, un spoilt rainforest in Principe, and cool fresh climates in the mountains. The islands are of volcanic origin with fertile soil and rich vegetation. Unique to the country are a number of species of flowers, birds and butterflies. Rainy season is from September to May and the dry season is from June to August.

Cocoa production dominates the islands’ agriculture.

There is a population of 133,000 in the country, of which 95.7% live on São Tomé island.

The official language is Portuguese, spoken by 95% of the population. Lungwa Santomé is the main national dialect and several regional dialects are spoken.

Today the population can be divided between Angolares, reportedly descending from the survivors of a slave ship shipwrecked in the 1540s, Forros or Filhos da Terra, descendants of the first Portuguese settlers and freed slaves, Seviçais, contract labourers from Cape Verde, Angola, and Mozambique, and Tongas descendants of Serviçais

Following independence much of the economy was put under the government’s control, in the attempt to find a socialist path to development.

Government attempts to diversify the economy, based on large investment schemes, were disappointing and along with price subsidies and social programs weighed heavily on public finances.

The fall in the world price for cocoa, especially throughout the 1980s, saw a collapse in production and a spiraling level of debt.

By 1985 the GDP per capita had dropped 30% in real terms from its value at the beginning of the decade.

The first structural adjustment program was adopted in 1987 with the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other donors.

The government privatized assets and began a course of administrative reform that continues today. Agrarian reform, between 1993 and 1998 distributed 20,000 ha to small farmers and medium sized local firms. Some of the state agricultural enterprises were transferred to private ownership.

Political instability has left economic reforms inconsistent, and the country has failed to qualify for debt relief. The debt burden per capita that the country carries is the second highest in the world (after Nicaragua).

Two Economic Free Zones, are to be set up in the country, one in Praia das Conchas and one in Principe, to encourage economic activity and outside investment.

The Central Hospital is divided between two branches, in two different districts, there are four district hospitals and 26 local health centers. Most people live close to at least basic health facilities, and efforts are being made to improve access to, and the quality of, basic health services at the local level, under the Bamako Initiative.

Statistics

Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe Location Gulf of Guinea, 300km East of Gabon, straddling the equator Area 1001 km² Population 133,000 Official Language Portuguese Independent since 1975 Political Status Multiparty democracy, with market economy since 1991 GDP per capita US$ 438 (1998) Main Exports cocoa, coprah, coconuts External Debt US$ 282.71 million (1997) Currency Dobra. 1USD:7,000 Dobras (1998) Life Expectancy 64 Human Development Index 0.563, ranking 121 (1998)