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Sao Tome and Principe |
Capital: Sao Tome
Languages: Portuguese (official)
Currency: Dobra (STD)
Background: Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991. This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation.
PEOPLE
Population: 199,579 (July 2007 est.); 175,808 (July 2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
2007
Total Population: 67.64 years
Male: 66.03 years
Female: 69.3 years (2007 est.)
2010
Total population: 62.73 years
Male: 61.58 years
Female: 63.91 years (2010 est.)
Age structure:
2007
0-14 years: 47.3% (male 47,796/female 46,589)
15-64 years: 49% (male 47,386/female 50,412)
65 years and over: 3.7% (male 3,383/female 4,013) (2007 est.)
2010
0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188)
15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2010 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.13% (2007 est.); 2.112% (2010 est.)
Population below poverty line: 54% (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: N/A
People living with HIV/AIDS: N/A
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total Population: 84.9%
Male: 92.2%
Female: 77.9% (2001 census)
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: N/A
ECONOMY
Unemployment rate: N/A
Labour force by Occupation: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Agricultural Products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Exports - Commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - Partners:
Netherlands 42.1%, Belgium 16.7%, South Korea 9%, Portugal 8.2% (2006)
UK 32.99%, Netherlands 26.93%, Belgium 21.04%, Portugal 4.31% (2009)
Imports - Commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - Partners:
Portugal 48.5%, France 19.7%, Belgium 5.1%, US 5.1% (2006)
Portugal 58.9%, Brazil 6.68%, US 4.71%, Japan 4.49% (2009)
ENVIRONMENT
Environment - Current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Natural hazards: N/A
Source: CIA World Factbook
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