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General Information Area: 1001 sq km (386.5 sq miles). Population: 141,000 (1998) Population Density: 140.9 per sq km. Capital: São Tomé. GEOGRAPHY: São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Ilheu dos Rolas (which is crossed by the Equator line). These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The landscape is varied, combining mountains, tropical forest and beaches. Government: Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Fradique de Menzes since 2001. Head of Government: Prime Minister Maria das Neves since 2002. Language: Portuguese is the official language. Creole is also spoken. Some English is spoken, but French is more common. Religion: Roman Catholic majority (82 per cent), with a number of other Christian denominations also represented. Time: GMT. Electricity: 220 volts AC. Communications:   Telephone Very limited IDD is available. Mobile telephone GSM 900. Main network provider is Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicacoes (SARL) (website: www.cstome.net) Internet At present there is extremely limited access in the capital. Telegram Facilities are available in the capital and main hotels. Fax Services are available from the telephone office and some major hotels (overseas faxes are very expensive). Post Airmail to Europe takes approximately one week to Europe and the USA. Press Newspapers are printed in Portuguese. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.83 15.40 11.77 7.160 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.