GeographySão ToméPríncipe

The islandsSao TomePrincipe, situated inequatorial Atlantic about 300250 kilometers (200150 miles), respectively, offnortherwest coastGabon, constitute oneAfrica's smallest countries. Bothpartan extinct volcanic mountain range, which also includesislandBiokoEquatorial Guinea tonorthMount Cameroon onAfrican west coast. Sao Tome48 kilometers (30 mi.) long32 kilometers (20 mi.) wide andmore mountainous oftwo islands. Its peaks reach 2,024 meters (6,640 ft.). Principeabout 16 kilometers (10 mi.) long6 kilometers (4 mi.) wide. Both islandscrossed by swift streams radiating downmountains through lush forestcropland tosea.

At sea level,climatetropical--hothumidaverage yearly temperaturesabout 27 degrees C (80 degrees F)little daily variation. Atinterior's higher altitudes,average yearly temperature20 degrees C (68 degrees F),nightsgenerally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 500 centimeters (200 in.) onsouthwestern slopes100 centimeters (40 in.) innorthern lowlands. The rainy season runs from OctoberMay.

Location: Western Africa, islands inGulfGuinea, straddlingEquator, westGabon

Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total: 1,001 sq km
land: 1,001 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: more than five timessizeWashington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 209 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (OctoberMay)

Terrain: volcanic, mountainous

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Natural resources: fish, hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 36%
permanent pastures: 1%
forestswoodland: 0%
other: 61% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: NA

Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosionexhaustion

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law ofSea, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none ofselected agreements

See also : Sao TomePrincipe