São Tomé and Príncipe is an independent island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off Gabon, right on the Equator. Where it is, how big it is and how to get there from the UK.
Where is Sao Tome and Principe? It is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Central Africa, roughly 250 km from the coast of Gabon and about 300 km from Equatorial Guinea. It has been independent since 1975 and does not belong to any other state. It is made up of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, plus several islets, and the Equator crosses its territory in the far south.
In other words: it sits almost exactly where the Equator meets the Atlantic, in the same time zone as London in winter. Below we pin it down on the map, clear up the usual confusion with St Thomas in the Caribbean and give you the key facts about the country.
In this article
- Where is Sao Tome and Principe on the map?
- Sao Tome, St Thomas or São Tomé? Clearing up the confusion
- Is São Tomé and Príncipe a country?
- The two islands (and the islet on the Equator)
- How the country is organised
- How to get there from the UK
- Key facts about the country
- How do you pronounce São Tomé and Príncipe?
- Frequently asked questions
- Discover the country on the ground
Where is Sao Tome and Principe on the map?
- Continent: Africa. It is usually classed as Central Africa, though some sources group it with West Africa.
- Ocean: the Atlantic, in the Gulf of Guinea.
- Approximate coordinates: 0° 20′ N, 6° 44′ E (São Tomé city).
- Nearest countries: Gabon, about 250 km away; Equatorial Guinea, about 300 km; Cameroon and Nigeria a little further north.
- Area: about 1,000 km², the second smallest country in Africa after the Seychelles. That is roughly two-thirds the size of Greater London.
- Distance from Lisbon: about 5,000 km, around six and a half hours' flying time.
- Time zone: GMT all year round, so the same time as the UK in winter and one hour behind during British Summer Time.
The islands are the summits of a chain of underwater volcanoes that runs south-west from Mount Cameroon. That is why the terrain is so dramatic: peaks, rock needles and cliffs packed into very few kilometres.
Sao Tome, St Thomas or São Tomé? Clearing up the confusion
Search for "St Thomas" or even "Sao Tome" and you may get a mix of very different places. To be clear:
- São Tomé and Príncipe (the African country): an independent archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea. In Portuguese, São Tomé e Príncipe. This is the one this article is about. In English it is often written without accents: Sao Tome and Principe.
- São Tomé (the island and the city): the main island of the country and its capital share the same name.
- St Thomas (US Virgin Islands): a Caribbean island in a different ocean, thousands of kilometres away. "São Tomé" is simply Portuguese for "Saint Thomas", which is where the mix-up comes from.
When you are looking for the African country, always use the full name: São Tomé and Príncipe.
Is São Tomé and Príncipe a country?
Yes, a sovereign one. It was a Portuguese colony from the late 15th century and gained independence on 12 July 1975. Its official name is the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
It is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). It keeps close cultural and linguistic ties with Portugal, but politically it is fully independent. It is not, and has never been, part of the Commonwealth.
The two islands (and the islet on the Equator)
São Tomé
The larger island, with about 850 km² and the vast majority of the population. Here you will find the capital, the international airport, Pico de São Tomé (2,024 m), Pico Cão Grande and almost all the roças, the old colonial plantations. It measures about 50 km from north to south.
Príncipe
About 140 km² and around 8,000 inhabitants, some 150 km north-east of the main island. It is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Its capital, Santo António, is a small colonial town of a few streets. You get there by small plane in about 35 minutes.
Ilhéu das Rolas
An islet off the southern tip of the main island, crossed by the Equator. A monument marks latitude 0°, so you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere. It is one of the easiest and most beautiful places on Earth to stand on the Equator: a short boat ride and an islet with beaches. Everything about the visit is in our Ilhéu das Rolas guide.
How the country is organised
The country is not part of any province or region of another state. Internally it is divided into six districts on São Tomé island (Água Grande, Cantagalo, Caué, Lembá, Lobata and Mé-Zóchi) plus the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, which has its own government.
How to get there from the UK
There is no direct flight. The usual route is London → Lisbon → São Tomé (TMS) with TAP Air Portugal, around 11–13 hours in total including the connection. The Lisbon–São Tomé leg takes about six and a half hours. We explain it step by step in how to get to São Tomé from the UK.
Featured trip
São Tomé and Príncipe Circuit — 8 Days
Key facts about the country
- Capital: São Tomé (around 72,000 inhabitants)
- Population: 235,536 (World Bank)
- Official language: Portuguese, plus the creoles Forro, Angolar and Lung'ie (Principense)
- Currency: the dobra (STN), pegged at €1 = 24.5 dobras
- Nationality: São Toméan (also written Santomean)
- Climate: equatorial, hot and humid, averaging around 25 °C
- Visa: British tourists can stay up to 15 days without a visa, according to the FCDO
More on the capital, population and nationality in our article on the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe.
How do you pronounce São Tomé and Príncipe?
In Portuguese it sounds roughly like "sow too-MEH ee PREEN-see-peh", with "São" rhyming with "now" and slightly nasal. Most English speakers say "sow toe-MAY and PRIN-si-pay", and locals will understand you perfectly. If you want to know what else is spoken there, read what language is spoken in São Tomé.
Frequently asked questions
Is São Tomé and Príncipe a country or an island?
It is an independent country made up of two main islands and several islets.
Which continent is it in?
Africa. It lies off the west coast of the continent, in the Gulf of Guinea, and is usually classed as Central Africa.
Does São Tomé and Príncipe belong to Portugal?
No. It was a Portuguese colony until 1975 and has been fully independent ever since, although Portuguese remains the official language.
What is the capital?
The city of São Tomé, on the north-east coast of the main island.
Is it on the Equator?
Yes. The Equator crosses the country at Ilhéu das Rolas, off the southern tip of the main island.
How big is it?
About 1,000 km², a little under two-thirds of Greater London. It is the second smallest country in Africa.
Is it safe to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
Yes, it is one of the calmest destinations in Africa; the FCDO describes the crime rate as generally low. More in our guide on whether São Tomé is safe.
Discover the country on the ground
Our 8-day São Tomé guided circuit crosses the island from north to south and includes the boat trip to Ilhéu das Rolas to cross the Equator. It is a private trip with an English-speaking local guide, a 4x4 with driver and half board, from €1,250 per person, flights not included.
Read the complete São Tomé travel guide or write to us.