São Tomé and Príncipe
Democratic Republic of
National Name is República Democr ática de São Tomé e Príncipe
Area
1,000 sq km/386 sq mi
Capital
São Tomé
Major Towns & Cities
São Antó nio, Santana, Porto-Alegre Physical features comprises two
main islands and several smaller ones, all volcanic; thickly forested
and fertile
Government
Head of state Miguel Trovoada from 1991 Head of government Carlos da
Graca from 1994 Political system emergent democracy Administrative divisions
two provinces Political parties Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé
e Príncipe- Social Democratic Party (MLSTP- PSD), nationalist socialist;
Democratic Convergence Party- Reflection Group (PCD-GR), moderate left
of centre; Independent Democratic Action (ADI), centrist Armed forces
no proper army; reorganization of island's armed forces (estimated at
900) and police into two separate police forces (one for public order,
the other for criminal investigations) was initiated 1992 Death penalty
abolished 1990 Education spend (% GNP) 4.3 (1986); N/A (1993/94)
Chronology
1471 First visited by the Portuguese, who imported convicts and slaves
to work on sugar plantations in the formerly uninhabited islands. 1522
Became a province of Portugal. 1530 Slaves successfully revolted, forcing
plantation owners to flee to Brazil; thereafter became a key staging
post for Congo-Americas slave trade. 19th century Forced contract labour
used to work coffee and cocoa plantations. 1953 More than 1,000 striking
plantation workers gunned down by Portuguese troops. 1960 First political
party formed, the forerunner of the socialist-nationalist Movement for
the Liberation of São Tomé e Príncipe (MLSTP). 1974 Military coup in
Portugal led to strikes, demonstrations, and army mutiny in São Tomé;
thousands of Portuguese settlers fled the country. 1975 Independence
achieved, with Manuel Pinto da Costa (MLSTP) as president; close links
developed with communist bloc, and plantations nationalized. 1984 Formally
declared a nonaligned state as economy deteriorated. 1988 Coup attempt
against da Costa foiled by Angolan and East European troops. 1990 Influenced
by collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, MLSTP abandoned Marxism;
new pluralist constitution approved in referendum. 1991 In first multiparty
elections, the ruling MLSTP lost its majority and the independent Miguel
Trovoada, MLSTP prime minister before 1978, was elected president. 1994
MLSTP returned to power with Carlos da Graca as prime minister. 1995
Abortive coup by junior army officers; unemployment at 38% and foreign
indebtedness $165 million.
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