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NAVIGATION
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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Sao Tome |
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Administrative divisions:
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2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome
note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995 |
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Independence:
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12 July 1975 (from Portugal) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 12 July (1975) |
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Constitution:
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approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990 |
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Legal system:
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based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)
election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president head of government: Prime Minister Maria das NEVES (since 7 October 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA |
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International organization participation:
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ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands |
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Flag description:
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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
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Economy - overview:
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This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 28 years ago. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices brighten prospects for 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Sao Tome's success in implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors, who pledged increased assistance in 2001. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Sao Tome is optimistic that substantial petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea; production could begin as early as 2004. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $200 million (2002 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4% (2002 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 25%
industry: 10% services: 65% (1999 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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9% (2002 est.) |
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Labor force:
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NA |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing
note: shortages of skilled workers |
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% |
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Budget:
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revenues: $58 million
expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.) |
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Industries:
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light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Electricity - production:
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17 million kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 41.2%
hydro: 58.8% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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15.81 million kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2001) |
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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700 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - exports:
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NA (2001) |
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001) |
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Agriculture - products:
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cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish |
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Exports:
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$5.5 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil |
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Exports - partners:
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Netherlands 27.3%, Portugal 18.2%, Canada 9.1%, Spain (2001) |
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Imports:
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$24.8 million f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products |
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Imports - partners:
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Portugal 38.9%, US 22.2%, UK 9.3%, France (2001) |
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Debt - external:
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$253.8 million (2000) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program |
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Currency:
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dobra (STD) |
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Currency code:
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STD |
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Exchange rates:
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dobras per US dollar - NA (2002), 8,842.11 (2001), 7,978.17 (2000), 7,118.96 (1999), 6,883.24 (1998) |
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year |