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St. Tome And Principe Island - Island Paradise Of Africa

Published: 13.7.2011
This island group belongs to small islands, very popular among tourists.

St. Tome and Prince (Sao Tome and Principe) is a group of islands, situated in Guinea Bay, West Africa, 360 kilometres distant from the coast, nearly exatly at the Equator. The state is formed of two main islands, such as. St. Tomé (836 square kilometres) and Prince Island (128 square kilometres), including several small islands. Its total extent makes 964 square kilometres only (for comparison: Prague is placed on the territory of approx. 500 square kilometres). The highest peak of this state is Pico de Sao Tome (2024 m) extincted volcano. The state is divided, from administrative point of view, into two provinces, such as: St. Tome and Prince Island. Sao Tome is a capital.

The country is a Parliamentary Republic. A President is a Head of State and superior leader of the army, elected by Parliament for a period of five years. A Parliament - National Assembly - is one-chamber, with 55 deputies, elected for a period of four years. The Parliament votes Prime Minister approved by President. The Governemnt is named by President, according to suggestion of Prime Minister. Since 1995, Prince Island has its own government.

Population

The country has 180 000 inhabitants approx. Nearly 60 thousands of persons are concentrated in capital Sao Tomé. Regarding ethnical composition: Bantu Bubios, half-breeds (descendants from mixed marriages of Portuguese colonists and Africans), followed by Angolares (descendants of Angola slaves), Forros (descendants of liberated slaves), Servicais (workers from Angola, Mosambique and Cabo Verde Islands), and the Europeans (mostly Portugueses) are living there. Portuguses is an official language, but except of this, even forro language (local Creole on base of Portuguese language) as well as several dialects are diffused there.

Roman Catholic religion, coming from a tradition of Catholic missionary works is most extended one. This fact stipulates one from most developped levels of education of local population (more than 67% of inhabitants has minimally essential education).

History

Portuguese seafarers Pedro Escobar and Juan Gomes  became the first European colonists. They landed at the islands during 1470-1471. The colonization of St. Tome Island started since 1493, and Prince Island since 1502. The colonists founded the town of Sao Tomé and started to grow sugar-cane. Since 1522, the islands were declared as Portuguese territory. The slaves from Angola were imported to the islands for work on plantations of sugar-cane. Subsequently, for nearly 400 years, Sao Tome and Prince Island served as a base for slave-dealers´ ships during their route to Brasil, and for merchant ships from Portugal to India. Since 1800, the islands became very positive locality for caffee growing, and since 1822, for cocoa-beans growing. In 1869, the slavery was officially cancelled but in fact, it existed till 1875. The islands remained Portuguese colony till declaration of independence in 1975.

Places of Interest (Sightseeings)

The country has wonderful and nearly virgin nature, including many of rocky gaps and picturesque caps, transparent azure water, white sandy beaches and characteristic culture of local inhabitants - all this is a temptation for many visitors.

Sao Tomé

It is a picturesque small town, placed on north-east coast of Sao Tomé Island. In the city, Portuguese colonial buildings, as well as well arranged parks and gardens are predominating. As far as the monuments is concerned, we can recommend you local Cathedrale of 16th century, and National Museum, situated not far from city centre, further, old quarter San Antonio, with narrow streets and historical buildings, Agostino Neto Manor, including more than thirty rooms of colonial style, and the biggest plantation of cocoa beans, named according to the first President of Angola. A hole in a rock Boca de Inferno (Devil´s Mouth) belongs to one of first-class attractions, situated close to the beaches. The waves found their way into narrow cleft, ending in a cave with a hole in the ceiling, threshing in the air. To tell the truth, it is dramatic scene, indeed.

Not far from city centre, many coffee as well as cocoa plantages are to be found, in an altitude of 700 metres above sea level, in an area, known as Monte Café. In a locality of  Bom Successo, a botanical garden, including administration of Obo National Park, are to be found. National Park Obo (Parque National Obo de Sao Tome e Principe) covers approx. 30% of the territory and contents all biotops – plain and mountain forests, mangrove cops and savanna areas. This park was established in both islands, in order to unique nature heritage could be kept. In Obo National Park, the highest mountain of the island – extincted volcano Pico de Sao Tomé (2024 m) - is located Close to the town of Trinidad, wonderful Cascata Sao Nicolau Waterfall is to be found.

Prince Island is too small and the visitors arrive there very seldom. San Antonio is a capital. It is very pleasant small and calm town with colonial architecture. In the outskirts, you can find extincted volcano Pico Papagaio, with its special rounded form. The hill is 680 metres high. As far as the other sightseeings are concerned, you can visit Praia Grande, turtle beach.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikipedia - jmaximo, Henryk Kotowski (foto 2, foto 3)



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