The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese sometime between 1469 and 1471. After the islands were discovered by the explorers João de Santarém and Pêro Escobar, Portuguese navigators explored the islands and decided they would be a good location for bases to trade with the mainland.
The politics of São Tomé and Príncipe takes place in a framework of a unitary semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of São Tomé and Príncipe is head of state and the Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe is head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the President and the Government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. São Tomé has functioned under a multiparty system since 1990. Following the promulgation of a new constitution in 1990, São Tomé and Príncipe held multiparty elections for the first time since independence. Shortly after the constitution took effect, the National Assembly formally legalized opposition parties. Independent candidates also were permitted to participate in the January 1991 legislative elections.
Until independence in 1975, São Tomé and Príncipe had few ties abroad except those that passed through Portugal. Following independence, the new government sought to expand its diplomatic relationships. A common language, tradition, and colonial experience have led to close collaboration between São Tomé and other ex-Portuguese colonies in Africa, particularly Angola. São Toméan relations with other African countries in the region, such as Gabon and the Republic of the Congo, are also good. In December 2000, São Tomé signed the African Union treaty; it was later ratified by the National Assembly.
São Tomé is the capital and largest city of the Central African island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its name is Portuguese for "Saint Thomas". Founded in the 15th century, it is one of Africa's oldest colonial cities.
Elections in São Tomé and Príncipe gives information on election and election results in São Tomé and Príncipe.
The São Tomé and Príncipe national football team is the national association football team of São Tomé and Príncipe and is controlled by the São Toméan Football Federation. It is a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
São Tomé and Principe Championship is the top division of the São Toméan Football Federation. In the current 2021/22 season there are 18 teams participating in two separate leagues - 12 teams from São Tomé Island, whose league has two relegation places, alongside 6 teams from Príncipe Island, which operates as a single division with no relegation.
São Tomé and Príncipe – United States relations are bilateral relations between São Tomé and Príncipe and the United States. The U.S. Ambassador based at the embassy in Libreville, Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome on a non-resident basis. The Ambassador and Embassy staff make regular visits to the islands. The US State Department has described relations with São Tomé and Príncipe as excellent.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to São Tomé and Príncipe:
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 150 km (93.21 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km off the north-western coast of Gabon. With a population of 201,800, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest and second-least populous African sovereign state after Seychelles.
The Catholic Church in São Tomé and Príncipe is part of the Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome and forms the largest religion in the country. A majority of the residents São Tomé and Príncipe adhere to Catholicism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities is a ministry of the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. The current Minister is Edite Tenjua, appointed in 2020.
The 2012 São Tomé and Principe Championship was the 27th season of the São Tomé and Principe Championship the top-level football championship of São Tomé and Principe. It began on 1 May and concluded on 5 November. Sporting Clube do Principe from São Tomé island won their second title.
India–São Tomé and Príncipe relations refers to the international relations that exist between India and São Tomé and Príncipe (STP). India has an embassy in São Tomé. STP maintains an Honorary Consul in New Delhi.
Jorge Lopes Bom Jesus, also known as JBJ, is a Santomean linguist and politician who is the 17th and current Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe. He is a member of the Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party (MLSTP-PSD). Leader of the opposition to Patrice Trovoada, he became prime minister on 3 December 2018.
Brazil–São Tomé and Príncipe relations refer to the bilateral relations between Brazil and São Tomé and Príncipe. Both nations are members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, Group of 77 and the United Nations.