San Antonio de Palé
Encyclopedia
San Antonio de Palé, is the capital of Annobón
, an island in Equatorial Guinea
that was once part of the Spanish Empire
in Africa.
A small town, it has only 600 inhabitants, the majority of whom speak the Annobonese creole. It is located in the extreme north of the island, which is the driest and flattest area. It is home to an aerodrome
, a quay, a medical centre, a school, a lighthouse, a radio station and a Catholic mission.
Founded by Portuguese explorers, it passed under Spanish control in 1778, along with the rest of Annobón
. In 1801, the British constructed a small fort there, and later on, in 1827, Spain rented out the area around San Antonio as a British base for the slave trade. The town also served as the centre of evangelisation of runaway slaves from Angola
. Capuchin
and Carmelite missionaries first made the town their base in 1580.
Annobón
Annobón may refer to:* Annobón Province* Annobonese language* Annobon people...
, an island in Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea where the capital Malabo is situated.Annobón is the southernmost island of Equatorial Guinea and is situated just south of the equator. Bioko island is the northernmost point of Equatorial Guinea. Between the two islands and to the...
that was once part of the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
in Africa.
A small town, it has only 600 inhabitants, the majority of whom speak the Annobonese creole. It is located in the extreme north of the island, which is the driest and flattest area. It is home to an aerodrome
Aerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
, a quay, a medical centre, a school, a lighthouse, a radio station and a Catholic mission.
Founded by Portuguese explorers, it passed under Spanish control in 1778, along with the rest of Annobón
Annobón
Annobón may refer to:* Annobón Province* Annobonese language* Annobon people...
. In 1801, the British constructed a small fort there, and later on, in 1827, Spain rented out the area around San Antonio as a British base for the slave trade. The town also served as the centre of evangelisation of runaway slaves from Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
. Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
and Carmelite missionaries first made the town their base in 1580.