QUICK FACTS
Name: São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Location: In the middle of the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa.
Population: Around 228,319
Neighbouring countries: Closest land is north-western coast of Gabon.
Total land area: 1,001 km2 (386 square miles)
Total marine area: 160,000 km2 (61,776 square miles)
Islands: 2 main islands and 7 islets
Capital: São Tomé
Status: Independent country
Language: Portuguese.
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Prime Minister: Patrice Trovoada
Main industries: Agriculture and tourism
Currency: Dobra (Dbs)
Exchange rate: Eur1 = 24,5Dbs
International telephone code: +239
Electrical voltage: 220V; European two-pin plugs
HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVITIES
JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS!
Throughout the year, the island nation celebrates the Saints festival. This is a time of great revelry, marked by elaborate religious ceremonies, traditional costumes, local delicacies and traditional dance and music.
1 January – New Years Day
4 January – Amador King Day,
3 February – Martyrs’ Day,
1 May – Labour Day / Workers Day / May Day [UK, France, Germany],
12 July – Independence Day,
30 September – Agricultural Reform Day,
1 November – All Saints Day / Thanksgiving Day [1st Thursday] / Toussaint [BF],
26 November – Argel Accord Day,
21 December – Sao Tomé Day,
25 December – Christmas
January 4 – King’s Amador Day
January 10 – Saint Isidoro Festivity in Ribeira Afonso Parish
January 15 – Saint Amaro Festivitiy in Santo Amaro Parish
January 17 – Príncipe Island Discover
February 3 – Liberty Martyr’s Day
March 24 – Nossa Senhora da Graça Festivity in Sé Parish
April 29 – Authonomy Festivity in Príncipe Island
May 13 – Nossa Senhora de Fátima Festivity
May 26 – Santissima Trindade Festivity (God Father) in Trindade Parish
June 13 – Santo António Festivity in Príncipe Island
July 12 – Independence Festivity
July 22– Santa Maria Madalena Festivity
3rd Sunday of August – Nossa Senhora Perregrina Festivity
August 5 – Neves Festivity in Neves City
August 15 – S. Lourenço Festivity in Príncipe Island (Auto de Floripes)
September 6 – National Heroes Day
1st Sunday of September – Nossa Senhora de Nazare Festivity
2nd Sunday of September – Nossa Senhora de Madre Deus Festivity
4th Sunday of September – Nossa Senhora de Bom Despacho Festivity
September 30 – Plantations Nacionalization Day
1st Sunday of October – Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe Festivity in Guadalupe
December 21 – São Tomé Island Discovered Day
January 10 – Santo Isidoro in Ribeira Afonso
January 15 – Santo Amaro in Santo Amaro Village
1 and 2 of May – God father in Trindade
July 30 – Santa Ana in Santana Village
9 and 10 of August – Nossa Senhora das Neves in Neves Village
August 15 – Santa Peregrina in Batepá Village
September 1 – Nazaré in Trindade
September 8 – Madre Deus in Madre Deus
9 and 10 September – Bom Despacho in São Tomé City
October 3 – Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe in Guadalupe
2nd week of October – Santa Teresinha in Madalena Village
28 and 29 of October – Santo Jordão in Praia Melão Village
December 21 – Santo Tomé in São Tomé City
