Largest Cities in Sao Tome and Principe

Facts about Sao Tome and Principe

Official languages: Portuguese
Capital: Sao Tome
Area: 1,001 km²
Population: 175,808 residents
Population density: 175.63 residents per km²
Currency: STD
Internet TLD: .st
ISO codes: ST, STP, 678
The telephone code for Sao Tomé and Principe is +239

Flag of São Tomé and Príncipe

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are located in the Gulf of Guinea and adopted their flag in 1975. It is composed of three horizontal stripes, of which the side two are green and the middle one is yellow. A red wedge is placed in the pole part of the flag and the yellow stripe carries two black stars in its center representing each of the islands. The colors chosen are traditional pan-African, where black represents the African people, green the vegetation of the islands, yellow the sun and red is meant to commemorate the efforts made to achieve independence. The islands were under Portuguese rule until 1975, and the current flag was inspired by the banner of the independence movement.

The island state of São Tomé and Príncipe is located in the Gulf of Guinea about 200 km off the coast of Africa west of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest state in Africa after the Seychelles. The two eponymous islands are located between the islands of Bioko and Annobón, which belong to Equatorial Guinea. See Sao Tome and Principe Location on World Map. Over 90% of the population live on the southern, larger island of São Tomé, which is 48 km long and 32 km wide. It is the more mountainous of the two islands. The highest point is 2,024 m high. The capital of the same name is on São Tomé. The northern, smaller main island Príncipe is about 16 km long and 6 km wide. The highest point on the island of Príncipe is 927 meters. The southern tip of São Tomé extends to the equator.

Biggest Cities of Sao Tome and Principe by Population

The largest city in Sao Tome and Principe is the capital, Sao Tome. Located on the island of Sao Tome, it has an estimated population of around 72,000 people and is a vibrant port city with a long history. Popular attractions here include Fort Sao Sebastiao which is a 16th-century fort that was once used to defend the city; Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça which is an impressive church with gilded altars; and Ilheu das Rolas which is an island off the coast of Sao Tome that offers great views over the city. Other attractions worth visiting include Mercado Central where visitors can purchase local produce among others; Praça dos Herois Nacionais which is a beautiful square with a statue of two heroes from Sao Tome’s independence struggle; and Jardim Botanico which contains some stunning tropical plants.

The second largest city in Sao Tome and Principe is Santo Antonio. Located on the island of Principe, it has a population of around 7,000 people and serves as an important hub for transportation and commerce. Popular attractions here include Praia Banana which is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Africa; Roça Sundy which was once owned by cocoa barons during colonial times; and Ilheu Bom Bom which offers stunning views over the ocean. Other cities worth visiting include Neves where visitors can admire some beautiful churches such as Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario or Igreja de São João Baptista; Santo Antonio do Príncipe where visitors can explore some old plantations such as Roça Belmonte or Roça São João; or Santana where visitors can admire some impressive architecture such as Church de Santana or Church de Santa Isabel.

Sao Tome and Principe: São Tomé

According to Abbreviation Finder, the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe is called São Tomé and is located on São Tomé! There it is located on the northeast coast. The city has about 57,000 inhabitants. There is an airport and a ring road.

In 1493 the city was founded by the Portuguese Alvaro Caminha. The name of the city translates as “Saint Thomas”. The island was “discovered” on the day of St. Thomas the Apostle, December 21st. That was in 1471.