Sao Tome and Principe Travel Guide from Direct Travel Insurance

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Sao Tome and Principe

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Quick Facts

Region:

Africa

Full Name:

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

Capital City:

Sao Tome

Language Spoken:

Portuguese (official)

Risk Rating Watch What is this?

Personnel risk: MODERATE
Evacuation risk: LOW

Background Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy.

A personal risk rating is assigned to countries by assessing a range of factors including: the frequency and seriousness of violent crime in the country; the degree of political, economical and societal unrest; government stability; the potential for internal and external conflicts and; the presence and capabilities of terrorists, insurgents or other militant groups.

The Major Disruptions/Evacuation risk level for a country is assigned by assessing a range of factors about the country, with emphasis on the short and medium term potential for major disruptions that could force business operations to shut down and/or the evacuation of personnel.