Global - Technology - Review

The two small islands of Sao Tome and Principe, situated off the coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, are ninety miles apart, and have the distinction of being the smallest Lusophone, or Portuguese-speaking nation. Sao Tome, the larger of the islands, is the location of the capital, also called Sao Tome. The nation is hoping to exploit its offshore oil resources, though at the moment cocoa is by far the largest export. Copra and coffee are also produced. Some communities depend on fishing. The culture blends Portuguese and African influences, especially in its music and dance. The coastal climate is tropical, with a long rainy season, though in the mountains of the interior, it can be much cooler. The highest mountain, the 2,000 metre Pico de Sao Tome, is an extinct volcano. The endangered Sao Tome Shrew is endemic to the island. The capital was founded by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century and today suffers from poor infrastructure and communications. This has hindered the development of tourism. At the moment the main attraction for visitors is trekking in the rainforests of the Obo National Park.