São Tomé Island, at 854 km² (329.7 sq mi), is the largest island of São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...

 and is home in 2009 to about 157,000 or 96% of the nation's population. This island and smaller nearby islets make up São Tomé Province, which is divided into six districts

Districts of São Tomé and Príncipe

||São Tomé and Príncipe's two provinces are divided into seven administrative districts. Six are located on the main island of São Tomé while one covers the smaller island of Príncipe...

. The main island is located 2 km (1¼ miles) north of the equator

Equator

An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass....

. It is about 48 km (29.8 mi) long (North-South) by 32 km (19.9 mi) wide (east-west). It rises to 2,024 m (6,639 ft) at Pico de São Tomé

Pico de São Tomé

Pico de São Tomé is the highest mountain in São Tomé and Príncipe at 2,024 metres. It lies just west of the centre of São Tomé Island in the Obo National Park. The second highest point, Pico Ana Chaves, lies to its south east...

 and includes the capital city

Capital City

Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....

, São Tomé

São Tomé

-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...

, on the northeast coast. The nearest city on mainland Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

 is the port city of Port Gentil in Gabon

Gabon

Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...

 located 240 km (149.1 mi) to the east.

Languages

The main language is Portuguese

Portuguese language

Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...

, but there are many speakers of Forro

Forro language

Forro is a Portuguese-based creole language spoken in São Tomé and Príncipe.The name means "freed slave" in Portuguese. The language is also called crioulo santomense. It should not be confused with the dialect of Portuguese spoken in São Tomé and Príncipe.- History :São Tomé is an island of the...

 and Angolar

Angolar language

Angolar, also Ngola is a minority language of São Tomé and Príncipe, spoken in the southernmost towns of São Tomé Island and sparsely along the coast. It is a creole language, based partially on Portuguese with a heavy substrate of a dialect of Kimbundu Angolar, also Ngola (Lungua N'golá) is a...

 (Ngola), two Portuguese-based creole language

Creole language

A creole language, or simply a creole, is a stable natural language developed from the mixing of parent languages; creoles differ from pidgins in that they have been nativized by children as their primary language, making them have features of natural languages that are normally missing from...

s.

Geology

The entire island of São Tomé is a massive shield volcano

Shield volcano

A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a warrior's shield. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from more explosive volcanoes...

 which rises from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...

, over 3000 m (9,842.5 ft) below sea level. It formed along the Cameroon line

Cameroon line

The Cameroon line is a chain of volcanoes.It includes islands in the Gulf of Guinea and mountains that extend along the border region of eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon, from Mount Cameroon on the Gulf of Guinea north and east towards Lake Chad....

, a line of volcanoes extending from Cameroon

Cameroon

Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...

 southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the lava

Lava

Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. This molten rock is formed in the interior of some planets, including Earth, and some of their satellites. When first erupted from a volcanic vent, lava is a liquid at...

 erupted on São Tomé over the last million years has been basalt

Basalt

Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...

. The youngest dated rock on the island is about 100,000 years old, but numerous more recent cinder cone

Cinder cone

According to the , Cinder Cone is the proper name of 1 cinder cone in Canada and 7 cinder cones in the United States:In Canada: Cinder Cone In the United States:...

s are found on the southeast side of the island.

Environment and economy

The higher slopes of the island are forest

Forest

A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...

ed and form part of the Obo National Park

Obo National Park

Obo National Park is a national park of São Tomé and Príncipe, covering some 235 km² of Sao Tomé in its south and 65 km² of the island of Príncipe. The national park is known internationally amongst conservationists for its biologically rich dense virgin rainforests...

, but agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...

 is important near the north and east coasts. The chief exports are cocoa, coffee

Coffee

Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...

, copra

Copra

Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...

, and palm products, while there is also a fishing

Fishing

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....

 industry.

Large reserves of oil

Oil

An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....

 are in the ocean

Ocean

An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...

 between Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

 and São Tomé. The discovery has been lamented by some as endangering the nation's political stability and natural environment. In response to these concerns the government of São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...

 has drawn up legislation in an attempt to ensure the efficient and equitable use of oil revenues over time.

Birds

The island "boasts" a mere 63 regular bird species, plus an additional 36 vagrant

Vagrancy (biology)

Vagrancy is a phenomenon in biology whereby individual animals appear well outside their normal range; individual animals which exhibit vagrancy are known as vagrants. The term accidental is sometimes also used...

 and unconfirmed species. Of these, 19 are endemic and 3 near endemic; in addition, the local subspecies

Subspecies

Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...

 of Olive Ibis

Olive Ibis

The Olive Ibis is a species of bird in the Threskiornithidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.- References : Database entry includes...

 (Bostrychia olivacea bocagei) is endemic and considered critically endangered. Six species are considered vulnerable, and two critically endangered (São Tomé Fiscal

São Tomé Fiscal

The São Tomé Fiscal is a species of bird in the Laniidae family. It is endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe. It is 20 to 21 centimeters long...

 and São Tomé Grosbeak

São Tomé Grosbeak

The São Tomé Grosbeak, Neospiza concolor, is a large, chunky finch with a massive bill. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé.Until recently this bird was known only from three nineteenth century specimens. It was rediscovered in 1991. The current population is estimated at less than 50. The main...

).

Towns and villages

Villages on the island include:

Agua-Coco Agua-Coco Agua-Coco is a village on the south coast of the island of São ToméAgua-Coco has a small school, a church and a square .... Agua Ize Agua Ize Agua-Ize is a village on the island of São Tomé.Agua-Ize has a small school, a church and a square .... Alice Alice, São Tomé and Príncipe Alice is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Alice has a church and a square .... Alto Douro Alto Douro, São Tomé and Príncipe Alto Douro is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Alice has a church and a square .... Andrade Andrade, São Tomé and Príncipe Andrade is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Andrade has a church and a square , it also has a nearby school.... Bela Vista Bela Vista, São Tomé and Príncipe Bela Vista is a village on the island of São ToméBela Vista has a small school, a church and a square .... Blublu Blublu, São Tomé and Príncipe Blublu a village on the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe.Blublu has a small school, a church and a square .... Bom Successo Buenos Aires Dona Augusta Dona Augusta, São Tomé and Príncipe Dona Augusta is a village on the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe.Dona Augusta has a small school, a church and a square .... Dona Eugenia Dona Eugenia Dona Eugenia is a village on the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe.Dona Eugenia has a small school and a church.... Enjale Enjale, São Tomé and Príncipe Enjale is a village on the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. The village is the southernmost in the island. Enjale is not far from Rolas Island.-Nearest places:*Henrique*M. AliceEnjales has a small school and a church....

Formiga Formiga, São Tomé and Príncipe Formiga is a small village on the island of São Tomé.Formiga has a church and a square .... General Fonseco General Fonseco General Fonseco is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.General Fonseco has a church and a square .... Graça Graça, São Tomé and Príncipe Graça is a village on the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe..-Nearest places:*JavaGraça has a small school and a church.... Granja Granja Granja is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. Granja has a church and a square .... Guadalupe Guadalupe, São Tomé and Príncipe -Education:Santana has a school or a collegiate and a lyceum , a gymnasia is in the capital, a few churches, a beach, a small port and a few squares .... Guegue Norte Guegue Norte, São Tomé and Príncipe Guegue Norte is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Guegue Norte has a church and a square .... Henrique Henrique, São Tomé and Príncipe Henrique is a village on the island of São Tomé.Henrique has a church and a square .... Java Java, São Tomé and Príncipe Java is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.... Lemos Lemos, São Tomé and Príncipe For the town in Greece, see Lemos, this article is not to confuse with a Greek island of LemnosLemos is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.-Nearest places:*Benfica*Laura*São Francisco*São Pedro*Vista Alegre... Mbombo Mbombo, São Tomé and Príncipe Mbombo is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. The origin of the name comes from a language from Angola in which its descendants cover the majority of the population as well as speakers of the Angolar Crioulo language.... Mbondi Mbondi, São Tomé and Príncipe Mbondi is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. The origin of the name comes from a language from Angola in which its descendants cover the majority of the population as well as speakers of the Angolar Crioulo language.... Monte Café Monte Café, São Tomé and Príncipe Monte Café is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Monte Café has a church and a square , it also has a nearby school. In 2008 a coffee museum has been built there with support by the UNDP....

Monte Herminios Monte Herminios, São Tomé and Príncipe Monte Herminios is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Monte Herminios has a church and a square , it also has a nearby school.... Monte Rosa Monte Rosa, São Tomé and Príncipe Monte Rosa is a village on the island of São Tomé in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Monte Rosa has a church and a square .... Neves Neves, São Tomé and Príncipe -Education :Neves has schools or collegiates , a lyceum , a small high school , churches, beaches, a small port and a few squares .... Nova Olinda Nova Olinda, São Tomé and Príncipe Nova Olinda is a village in the eastern part of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe.Nova Olinda has a small school and a church.... Nzumbi Plato Café Plato Café, São Tomé and Príncipe Plato Café is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Plato Café has a church and a square , it also has a nearby school.... Ponta Figo Ponta Figo, São Tomé and Príncipe Ponta Figo is a village on the island of São Tomé. It is nine miles from the main airport.Ponta Figo has a church and a square .... Portinho Portinho Portinho is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.... Porto Alegre Porto Alegre, São Tomé and Príncipe Porto Alegre is a village on the island of São Tomé in the district of Caué in São Tomé and Príncipe.Porto Alegre has a small school, a church and a square .-External links:*Coordinates:... Preserverança Preserverança Preserverança is a town on São Tomé Island in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.Preserverança has a church and a nearby square , it also has a nearby school.... Quimpo Ribeira Afonso Ribeira Afonso Ribeira Afonso is a village in the eastern part of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. It is named after a stream flowing nearby the village.Ribeira Afonso has a small school and a church....

Santa Catarina Santa Catarina, São Tomé and Príncipe Santa Catarina is a village in the southwestern of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. It is named after a stream flowing nearby the village. Santa Catarina is linked with the main road linking São João dos Angolares and Neves. The population lives in rural areas.The village has a... Santa Clotilde Santa Clotilde Santa Clotilde is a village in the southeastern of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. Santa Clotilde has a small school and a church.... Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, São Tomé and Príncipe Santa Cruz is a hamlet on the island of São Tomé in the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. Santa Cruz has a church and a nearby square , it also has a nearby school.... Santa Josefina Santa Josefina, São Tomé and Príncipe Santa Josefina is a village in the southern part of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. Santa Josefina has a small school and a church.... Santana Santana, São Tomé and Príncipe -Persons:*Alda Bandeira, a São Tomean politicianSantana has schools or collegiates , a lyceum , a small gymnasia , a few churches, a beach, a small port and a few squares .... Santo António São João dos Angolares São João dos Angolares São João dos Angolares is a small town on the east coast of São Tomé Island in São Tomé and Príncipe. It lies on a couple of small rivers and is based on fishing and two plantations.... São José São José, São Tomé and Príncipe São José is a village in the southeastern part of the island of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. It has a small school and a church.... São Tomé São Tomé -Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the... Saudade Trindade Trindade -Transportation:Trindade are linked with São Tomé and Príncipe's only highways linking to the capital city of São Tomé, another linking Neves and Santana and another linking to Guadalupe as well.... Ubabundo?