São Tomé and Príncipe (/ˌsaʊ təˈmeɪ ... ˈprɪnsɪpə, -peɪ/; Portuguese: [sɐ̃w̃ tuˈmɛ i ˈpɾĩsɨpɨ]), (English: Saint Thomas and Prince) officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (Portuguese: República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe), is an island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, about 140 km (87 mi) apart and about 250 and 225 km (155 and 140 mi) off the northwestern coast of Gabon.

The islands were uninhabited until their discovery by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. Gradually colonized and settled by the Portuguese throughout the 16th century, they collectively served as a vital commercial and trade center for the Atlantic slave trade. The rich volcanic soil and proximity to the Equator made São Tomé and Príncipe ideal for sugar cultivation, followed later by cash crops such as coffee and cocoa.

With a population of 201,800 , São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest African sovereign state after Seychelles. Its people are predominantly of African and mestiço descent, with most practicing Catholic Christianity. The legacy of Portuguese rule is also visible in the country's culture, customs, and music, which fuse European and African influences.

Arrival of Europeans
The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived sometime around 1470. The first Europeans to put ashore were João de Santarém and Pêro Escobar. Portuguese navigators explored the islands and decided that they would be good locations for bases to trade with the mainland.


Portuguese lyrics:

Chorus:
Independência total,
Glorioso canto do povo,
Independência total,
Hino sagrado de combate.
Dinamismo
Na luta nacional,
Juramento eterno
No país soberano de São Tomé e Príncipe.
Guerrilheiro da guerra sem armas na mão,
Chama viva na alma do povo,
Congregando os filhos das ilhas
Em redor da Pátria Imortal.
Independência total, total e completa,
Construindo, no progresso e na paz,
A nação mais ditosa da Terra,
Com os braços heroicos do povo.
Chorus
Trabalhando, lutando, presente em vencendo,
Caminhamos a passos gigantes
Na cruzada dos povos africanos,
Hasteando a bandeira nacional.
Voz do povo, presente, presente em conjunto,
Vibra rijo no coro da esperança
Ser herói no hora do perigo,
Ser herói no ressurgir do País.
Chorus
Dinamismo
Na luta nacional,
Juramento eterno
No pais soberano de São Tomé e Príncipe.

English translation:

ndependência total is the national anthem of São Tomé and Príncipe. The anthem, adopted in 1975, was written by Alda Neves da Graça do Espírito Santo (1926–2010) and composed by Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e Almeida (1933–).

Chorus:
Total independence,
Glorious song of the people,
Total independence,
Sacred hymn of combat.
Dynamism
In the national struggle,
Eternal oath
To the sovereign country of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Warriors in the war without weapons,
Live flame in the soul of the people,
Congregating the sons of the islands
Around the Immortal Fatherland.
Total independence, total and complete,
Building, in progress and peace,
The happiest nation on earth,
With the heroic arms of the people.
Chorus
Working, struggling, struggling and conquering,
We go ahead with giant steps
In the crusade of the African peoples,
Raising the national flag.
Voice of the people, present, present and united,
Strong beat in the heart of hope
To be a hero in the hour of peril,
A hero of the Nation's resurgence.
Chorus
Dynamism
In the national struggle,
Eternal oath
To the sovereign country of São Tomé and Príncipe.