São Tomé

São Tomé is the capital and largest city of São Tomé and Príncipe, on the island of São Tomé. Its harbor and colonial-era center anchor the country’s political and commercial life.

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São Tomé Island: The largest island of São Tomé and Príncipe, in the Gulf of Guinea. The city occupies the island’s northeastern coast.
Fort São Sebastião: A sixteenth-century Portuguese fortification at the entrance to São Tomé’s harbor. The fort marks the city’s early role in defending the port.
Álvaro Caminha: A Portuguese captain who led the settlement of São Tomé in the late fifteenth century. His settlement mission established the colonial town from which the capital grew.
Government of São Tomé and Príncipe: The national institutions that govern the island country of São Tomé and Príncipe. The country’s central government is headquartered in the capital.
São Tomé and Príncipe: An island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off Central Africa. São Tomé is its capital and largest urban center.
São Tomé Cathedral: A Roman Catholic cathedral in the historic center of São Tomé. Its presence reflects the city’s longstanding religious and civic center.
São Tomé and Príncipe in the colonial era: The period when the islands were governed by Portugal, from settlement through independence in 1975. Colonial administration and plantation commerce shaped São Tomé’s early urban history.
National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe: The unicameral legislature of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its seat in São Tomé makes the city the center of national lawmaking.
Gulf of Guinea: A broad embayment of the Atlantic Ocean along the west coast of Central Africa. The gulf connects the island city to regional maritime routes.
Presidential Palace of São Tomé and Príncipe: The official residence and workplace of the president of São Tomé and Príncipe. The palace places national executive government in the capital.