São Tomé

The cathedral of São Tomé

São Tomé (population 53,300 (in 2003) is the capital city of São Tomé and Príncipe and is by far the nation's largest town. It was founded by Portugal in 1485 and is centred on a sixteenth century cathedral. Another early building is Fort São Sebastião, built in 1575 and now the São Tomé National Museum. It was the then colony's capital until 1753 and has been the national capital continuously since 1852. Its name is Portuguese for "Saint Thomas." São Tomé is located at 0°20' North, 6°44' East (0.333, 6.7333). [1]

Fishermen land in São Tomé

Features of the town include the Presidential Palace, the Fisherman's Church, and a cinema. The city is also home to two markets, a radio station, hospital and international airport and is known for the Tchiloli play. It is also the centre of the island's road and bus networks.

Important as a port, São Tomé lies on Ana Chaves Bay in the north east of Sao Tome Island. Cabras Island lies in the bay.

Inside the main market of São Tomé

Around 1493 the government of Portugal took jewish children from their parents and shipped them to São Tomé where many were devoured by lizards and succumbed to hunger. Few children survived.