The islands São Tomé and Príncipe are located in the Gulf of Guinea and its flag has been adopted in 1975. It consists of three horizontal stripes – two green on the top and at the bottom and a yellow one in the middle. In the left part of the flag a red wedge is placed. Moreover, the yellow stripe bears in its center two black stars that represent both islands. The selected colors have traditional Pan-African interpretation – black color represents the African people, green vegetation of the islands, yellow stands for the sun and red is to commemorate the efforts spent on achieving independence. The islands were under Portuguese rule until 1975 and the current flag has been inspired by the flag of the movement for independence. The little-known islands of São Tomé e Príncipe provide unspoiled beauty and isolation from the world, in a way that’s now rarely found anywhere else. The islands lie on an alignment of once-active volcanoes, with rugged landscapes, dense forests and palm-fringed beaches, situated 250km (155 miles) off the coast of West Africa. If you can muster the energy to do much beyond laying on the pristine beaches edged by swaying palm trees, you’ll find the slopes of the volcanic peaks worthy of climbing for their dramatic vistas, as well as scintillating tracks through the otherworldly rainforest. There are multiple species of birds to be spotted, as well as endemic plants, and the exhilarating possibility to go whale watching. Aside from whales, turtles abound in the waters surrounding the islands.Sao Tome and Principe ISD Calling code is +239
Main information
Country
Sao Tome and Principe
Capital city
São Tomé
Population
187,356 (2012)
Total area
964 km2
Formation
12. 7. 1975
Highest point
Pico de São Tomé (2,024 m)
GDP
$ 2,121 (IMF, 2012)
Currency
são tomé and príncipe dobra (STD)
Code
ST (STP)
ISD Calling code
+239
How to Dial
Please Add 00 or + as Prefix to these Codes
Internet TLD
.st