Jump to content

Geography of São Tomé and Príncipe: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 1°N 7°E / 1°N 7°E / 1; 7
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Multiple image|align=right|image1=Tp-map.png|image2=Sao_tome_and_principe.png|width2=125|footer=Map of São Tomé and Príncipe}}
{{Multiple image|align=right|image1=Tp-map.png|image2=Sao_tome_and_principe.png|width2=125|footer=Map of São Tomé and Príncipe}}{{Multiple image
[[File:São Tomé - Resort Pestana Equador.jpg|thumb|Beach scenery on São Tomé.]]
| image1 = Príncipe2021OSM.png
[[File:São Tomé - Pico Cão Grande.jpg|thumb|The awesome natural wonder - <br>[[Pico Cão Grande]].]]
| caption1 = Enlargeable, detailed map of Príncipe
'''[[São Tomé and Príncipe]]''' is a small nation composed of an [[archipelago]] located in the [[Gulf of Guinea]] of [[equator]]ial [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The nation's main islands are [[São Tomé Island]] and [[Príncipe Island]], for which the country is named. These are located about {{Convert|300|and|250|km|mi|-1}}, respectively, off the northwest coast of [[Gabon]] in [[West Africa]]. The nation's [[geographic coordinate]]s are a [[latitude]] of 1°00&prime;N and a [[longitude]] of 7°00&prime;E.
| image2 = SãoTomé2021OSM.png
| caption2 = Enlargeable, detailed map of Sao Tome
| total_width = 300
}}
{{coord |1|N| 7|E |display=title}}

'''[[São Tomé and Príncipe]]''' is a small [[island country]] composed of an [[archipelago]] located in the [[Gulf of Guinea]] of the [[equator]]ial [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The nation's main islands are [[São Tomé Island]] and [[Príncipe Island]], for which the country is named. These are located about {{Convert|300|and|250|km|mi|-1}}, respectively, off the northwest coast of [[Gabon]] in [[Central Africa]].


São Tomé and Príncipe constitute one of [[Africa]]'s smallest countries, with a {{Convert|209|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of coastline. Both are part of an [[Volcano|extinct volcanic]] [[mountain range]], which also includes the island of [[Bioko]] in [[Equatorial Guinea]] to the north and [[Mount Cameroon]] to the west. São Tomé is {{Convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|30|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} wide and the more [[mountain]]ous of the two islands. Its peaks reach {{Convert|2024|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} - [[Pico de São Tomé]]. Principe is about {{Convert|30|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} wide, making it the smaller of the two. Its peaks reach {{Convert|948|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} - [[Pico de Príncipe]]. This makes the total land area of the country {{Convert|1001|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}, about five times the size of [[Washington, D.C.]]. Both islands are crossed by swift streams radiating down the mountains through lush forest and cropland to the sea. Both islands at a distance of {{Convert|150|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}}. The equator lies immediately south of São Tomé Island, passing through an islet [[Ilhéu das Rolas]].
São Tomé and Príncipe constitute one of [[Africa]]'s smallest countries, with {{Convert|209|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of coastline. Both are part of an [[Volcano|extinct volcanic]] [[mountain range]], which also includes the island of [[Bioko]] in [[Equatorial Guinea]] to the northeast and [[Mount Cameroon]] on the mainland coast further northeast. São Tomé is {{Convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|30|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} wide and the more [[mountain]]ous of the two islands. Its peaks reach {{Convert|2024|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} - [[Pico de São Tomé]]. Principe is about {{Convert|30|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long and {{Convert|6|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} wide, making it the smaller of the two. Its peaks reach {{Convert|948|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} - [[Pico de Príncipe]]. This makes the total land area of the country {{Convert|1001|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}, about five times the size of [[Washington, D.C.]] Both islands are crossed by swift streams radiating down the mountains through lush forest and cropland to the sea. Both islands at a distance of {{Convert|150|km2|mi2|-1|abbr=on}}. The equator lies immediately south of São Tomé Island, passing through an islet [[Ilhéu das Rolas]].


The [[Pico Cão Grande]] (Great Dog Peak) is a landmark [[volcanic plug]] peak, located at {{Coord|0|7|0|N|6|34|00|E}} in southern São Tomé. It rises dramatically over {{Convert|300|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}} above the surrounding terrain and the summit is {{Convert|663|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level.
The [[Pico Cão Grande]] (Great Dog Peak) is a landmark [[volcanic plug]] peak, located at {{Coord|0|7|0|N|6|34|00|E}} in southern São Tomé. It rises dramatically over {{Convert|300|m|ft|-2|abbr=on}} above the surrounding terrain and the summit is {{Convert|663|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level.


== Climate ==
== Climate ==
[[File:São Tomé - Resort Pestana Equador.jpg|thumb|Beach scenery on São Tomé.]]
At [[sea level]], the climate is tropical&mdash;hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about {{convert|27|C|F|1|lk-on}} and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is {{convert|20|C|F}}, and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from {{convert|5000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} on the southwestern slopes to {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from October to May.
At [[sea level]], the climate is tropical&mdash;hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about {{convert|27|C|F|1|lk=on}} and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is {{convert|20|C|F}}, and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from {{convert|5000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} on the southwestern slopes to {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from October to May.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = São Tomé ([[São Tomé International Airport]])
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed = yes
| Jan record high C = 32.0
| Feb record high C = 33.6
| Mar record high C = 33.5
| Apr record high C = 33.4
| May record high C = 33.9
| Jun record high C = 31.0
| Jul record high C = 30.7
| Aug record high C = 31.0
| Sep record high C = 31.7
| Oct record high C = 31.5
| Nov record high C = 31.6
| Dec record high C = 32.0
| year record high C = 33.9
| Jan high C = 29.4
| Feb high C = 29.9
| Mar high C = 30.2
| Apr high C = 30.1
| May high C = 29.3
| Jun high C = 28.0
| Jul high C = 27.3
| Aug high C = 27.7
| Sep high C = 28.6
| Oct high C = 28.7
| Nov high C = 29.0
| Dec high C = 29.1
| year high C = 28.9
| Jan mean C = 25.9
| Feb mean C = 26.2
| Mar mean C = 26.4
| Apr mean C = 26.4
| May mean C = 26.0
| Jun mean C = 24.7
| Jul mean C = 23.8
| Aug mean C = 24.1
| Sep mean C = 25.0
| Oct mean C = 25.2
| Nov mean C = 25.5
| Dec mean C = 25.6
| year mean C = 25.4
| Jan low C = 22.4
| Feb low C = 22.5
| Mar low C = 22.6
| Apr low C = 22.6
| May low C = 22.6
| Jun low C = 21.4
| Jul low C = 20.4
| Aug low C = 20.5
| Sep low C = 21.3
| Oct low C = 21.8
| Nov low C = 22.0
| Dec low C = 22.1
| year low C = 21.8
| Jan record low C = 19.1
| Feb record low C = 19.6
| Mar record low C = 19.2
| Apr record low C = 19.4
| May record low C = 18.5
| Jun record low C = 14.0
| Jul record low C = 14.0
| Aug record low C = 13.4
| Sep record low C = 16.0
| Oct record low C = 18.3
| Nov record low C = 18.8
| Dec record low C = 19.6
| year record low C = 13.4
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 81
| Feb rain mm = 84
| Mar rain mm = 131
| Apr rain mm = 122
| May rain mm = 113
| Jun rain mm = 19
| Jul rain mm = 0
| Aug rain mm = 1
| Sep rain mm = 17
| Oct rain mm = 110
| Nov rain mm = 99
| Dec rain mm = 108
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| Jan rain days = 8
| Feb rain days = 8
| Mar rain days = 12
| Apr rain days = 11
| May rain days = 10
| Jun rain days = 3
| Jul rain days = 2
| Aug rain days = 3
| Sep rain days = 6
| Oct rain days = 12
| Nov rain days = 11
| Dec rain days = 8
| Jan humidity = 85
| Feb humidity = 84
| Mar humidity = 83
| Apr humidity = 83
| May humidity = 84
| Jun humidity = 79
| Jul humidity = 77
| Aug humidity = 78
| Sep humidity = 79
| Oct humidity = 82
| Nov humidity = 85
| Dec humidity = 85
| year humidity = 82
| Jan sun = 142.6
| Feb sun = 135.6
| Mar sun = 139.5
| Apr sun = 126.0
| May sun = 145.7
| Jun sun = 165.0
| Jul sun = 161.2
| Aug sun = 148.8
| Sep sun = 120.0
| Oct sun = 114.7
| Nov sun = 135.0
| Dec sun = 142.6
| year sun =
| Jand sun = 4.6
| Febd sun = 4.8
| Mard sun = 4.5
| Aprd sun = 4.2
| Mayd sun = 4.7
| Jund sun = 5.5
| Juld sun = 5.2
| Augd sun = 4.8
| Sepd sun = 4.0
| Octd sun = 3.7
| Novd sun = 4.5
| Decd sun = 4.6
| yeard sun = 4.6
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref name = saotomeDWD>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_619310_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Sao Tomé (Flugh.) / Sao Tomé und Principe
| work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = January 26, 2016}}</ref>
| date = August 2010
}}

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Santo Antonio
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan high C = 29.0
| Feb high C = 29.6
| Mar high C = 29.6
| Apr high C = 29.4
| May high C = 28.8
| Jun high C = 27.6
| Jul high C = 26.8
| Aug high C = 27.1
| Sep high C = 27.4
| Oct high C = 27.5
| Nov high C = 28.2
| Dec high C = 28.6
| year high C = 28.3
| Jan mean C = 25.5
| Feb mean C = 24.8
| Mar mean C = 25.8
| Apr mean C = 25.8
| May mean C = 25.4
| Jun mean C = 24.2
| Jul mean C = 23.5
| Aug mean C = 23.8
| Sep mean C = 24.3
| Oct mean C = 24.4
| Nov mean C = 24.8
| Dec mean C = 25.2
| year mean C = 24.8
| Jan low C = 22.0
| Feb low C = 20.0
| Mar low C = 22.0
| Apr low C = 22.1
| May low C = 21.9
| Jun low C = 20.7
| Jul low C = 20.2
| Aug low C = 20.4
| Sep low C = 21.2
| Oct low C = 21.4
| Nov low C = 21.4
| Dec low C = 21.8
| year low C = 21.2
| Jan rain mm = 113
| Feb rain mm = 105
| Mar rain mm = 186
| Apr rain mm = 233
| May rain mm = 229
| Jun rain mm = 89
| Jul rain mm = 21
| Aug rain mm = 36
| Sep rain mm = 146
| Oct rain mm = 398
| Nov rain mm = 174
| Dec rain mm = 142
| rain colour = green
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| Jan rain days = 14
| Feb rain days = 11
| Mar rain days = 16
| Apr rain days = 18
| May rain days = 18
| Jun rain days = 7
| Jul rain days = 14
| Aug rain days = 12
| Sep rain days = 21
| Oct rain days = 25
| Nov rain days = 18
| Dec rain days = 14
| Jan humidity = 88
| Feb humidity = 86
| Mar humidity = 86
| Apr humidity = 87
| May humidity = 88
| Jun humidity = 83
| Jul humidity = 83
| Aug humidity = 83
| Sep humidity = 86
| Oct humidity = 89
| Nov humidity = 88
| Dec humidity = 87
| year humidity = 86
| source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref name = DWDsantoantonio>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_619340_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Santo Antonio / Insel Principe / Sao Tomé und Principe
| work = Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = German
| accessdate = February 6, 2016}}</ref>
}}

=== Climate change ===
[[File:Temperature Bar Chart Africa-Sao Tome and Principe--1901-2020--2021-07-13.png|thumb|Annual [[temperature anomaly]] in [[São Tomé and Príncipe]], 1901 to 2020.]]
Between 1950 and 2010, São Tomé and Príncipe experienced an increase of 1.5&nbsp;°C in average annual temperature due to [[climate change]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org |language=en}}</ref> The country is considered highly [[Climate change vulnerability|vulnerable]] to its impacts. Climate change is projected to lead to an increased number of warm days and nights, hotter temperatures and increased precipitation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Chou |first1=Sin Chan |last2=de Arruda Lyra |first2=André |last3=Gomes |first3=Jorge Luís |last4=Rodriguez |first4=Daniel Andrés |last5=Alves Martins |first5=Minella |last6=Costa Resende |first6=Nicole |last7=da Silva Tavares |first7=Priscila |last8=Pereira Dereczynski |first8=Claudine |last9=Lopes Pilotto |first9=Isabel |last10=Martins |first10=Alessandro Marques |last11=Alves de Carvalho |first11=Luís Felipe |last12=Lima Onofre |first12=José Luiz |last13=Major |first13=Idalécio |last14=Penhor |first14=Manuel |last15=Santana |first15=Adérito |date=2020-05-01 |title=Downscaling projections of climate change in Sao Tome and Principe Islands, Africa |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-020-05212-7 |journal=Climate Dynamics |language=en |volume=54 |issue=9 |pages=4021–4042 |doi=10.1007/s00382-020-05212-7 |s2cid=215731771 |issn=1432-0894}}</ref> [[Sea level rise]] and [[saltwater intrusion]] will be major issues for the islands<ref name=":0" /> and climate change will have major impacts on [[Economy of São Tomé and Príncipe|agriculture]] in the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Costa Resende Ferreira |first1=Nicole |last2=Martins |first2=Minella |last3=da Silva Tavares |first3=Priscila |last4=Chan Chou |first4=Sin |last5=Monteiro |first5=Armando |last6=Gomes |first6=Ludmila |last7=Santana |first7=Adérito |date=2021-02-11 |title=Assessment of crop risk due to climate change in Sao Tome and Principe |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01746-6 |journal=Regional Environmental Change |language=en |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=22 |doi=10.1007/s10113-021-01746-6 |s2cid=231886512 |issn=1436-378X|doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[Government of São Tomé and Príncipe|government]] began developing a National Adaptation Plan in 2022 to implement [[Climate change adaptation|climate adaptation]] efforts, with support from the [[United Nations Environment Programme]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=São Tomé and Príncipe develops National Adaptation Plan for climate change {{!}} Global Adaptation Network (GAN) |url=https://www.unep.org/gan/news/press-release/sao-tome-and-principe-develops-national-adaptation-plan-climate-change |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=www.unep.org}}</ref>


==Wildlife==
==Wildlife==
{{Main|Wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe|List of mammals of São Tomé and Príncipe|List of birds of São Tomé and Príncipe}}
{{Main|Wildlife of São Tomé and Príncipe|List of mammals of São Tomé and Príncipe|List of birds of São Tomé and Príncipe}}

The two islands are oceanic islands which have always been separate from mainland West Africa and so there is a relatively low diversity of species, restricted to those that have managed to cross the sea to the islands. However the level of [[endemism]] is high with many species occurring nowhere else in the world. Bye Prince Charles xxx
[[File:Sao_Tome_Ponta_Figo_Hike_Waterfall_3_(15629173183).jpg|thumb|300px|right|Waterfalls near [[Ponta Figo]], São Tomé and Príncipe]]
The two islands are oceanic islands which have always been separate from mainland Central Africa and so there is a relatively low diversity of species, restricted to those that have managed to cross the sea to the islands. However the level of [[endemism]] is high with many species occurring nowhere else in the world.


== Statistics ==
== Statistics ==
Line 27: Line 282:
:* Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean {{convert|0|m|ft|abbr=on}}
:* Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean {{convert|0|m|ft|abbr=on}}
; Natural resources:
; Natural resources:
: [[Fish]], [[hydropower]]
: [[Fish]], [[hydropower]]:
:

; Natural hazards:
: NA
; Environment—current issues:
; Environment—current issues:
: Deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
: Deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
; Environment—international agreements:
; Environment—international agreements
:* Party to: [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Desertification]], [[Environmental Modification]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Ship Pollution]]
:* Party to: [[Biodiversity]], [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]], [[Desertification]], [[Environmental Modification]], [[Law of the Sea]], [[Ship Pollution]]
:* Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements
:* Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements


== Extreme points ==
== Extreme points ==
[[File:São Tomé - Pico Cão Grande.jpg|thumb|[[Pico Cão Grande]].]]This is a list of the extreme points of [[São Tomé and Príncipe]], the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.


* Northernmost point - unnamed headland on [[Ilhéu Bom Bom]]
This is a list of the extreme points of [[São Tomé and Príncipe]], the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

* Northernmost point - unnamed headland on [[Ilheu Bom Bom]]
* Easternmost point - [[Ponta Capitão]], [[Príncipe]]
* Easternmost point - [[Ponta Capitão]], [[Príncipe]]
* Southernmost point - unnamed headland on [[Ilhéu de Rolas]]
* Southernmost point - unnamed headland on [[Ilhéu das Rolas]]
* Westernmost point - [[Ponta Azeitona]]
* Westernmost point - [[Ponta Azeitona]]


Line 53: Line 305:
{{Africa topic |Climate of}}
{{Africa topic |Climate of}}


==References==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography of Sao Tome and Principe}}
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Geography of São Tomé and Príncipe| ]]
[[Category:Geography of São Tomé and Príncipe| ]]
[[Category:Geography of Central Africa|Sao Tome And Principe]]

Latest revision as of 20:34, 12 June 2024

Map of São Tomé and Príncipe
Enlargeable, detailed map of Príncipe
Enlargeable, detailed map of Sao Tome

1°N 7°E / 1°N 7°E / 1; 7

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island country composed of an archipelago located in the Gulf of Guinea of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean. The nation's main islands are São Tomé Island and Príncipe Island, for which the country is named. These are located about 300 and 250 kilometres (190 and 160 mi), respectively, off the northwest coast of Gabon in Central Africa.

São Tomé and Príncipe constitute one of Africa's smallest countries, with 209 km (130 mi) of coastline. Both are part of an extinct volcanic mountain range, which also includes the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea to the northeast and Mount Cameroon on the mainland coast further northeast. São Tomé is 50 km (30 mi) long and 30 km (20 mi) wide and the more mountainous of the two islands. Its peaks reach 2,024 m (6,640 ft) - Pico de São Tomé. Principe is about 30 km (19 mi) long and 6 km (4 mi) wide, making it the smaller of the two. Its peaks reach 948 m (3,110 ft) - Pico de Príncipe. This makes the total land area of the country 1,001 km2 (386 sq mi), about five times the size of Washington, D.C. Both islands are crossed by swift streams radiating down the mountains through lush forest and cropland to the sea. Both islands at a distance of 150 km2 (60 sq mi). The equator lies immediately south of São Tomé Island, passing through an islet Ilhéu das Rolas.

The Pico Cão Grande (Great Dog Peak) is a landmark volcanic plug peak, located at 0°7′0″N 6°34′00″E / 0.11667°N 6.56667°E / 0.11667; 6.56667 in southern São Tomé. It rises dramatically over 300 m (1,000 ft) above the surrounding terrain and the summit is 663 m (2,175 ft) above sea level.

Climate[edit]

Beach scenery on São Tomé.

At sea level, the climate is tropical—hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27 °C (80.6 °F) and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is 20 °C (68 °F), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 5,000 mm (196.9 in) on the southwestern slopes to 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in the northern lowlands. The rainy season runs from October to May.

Climate data for São Tomé (São Tomé International Airport)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.0
(89.6)
33.6
(92.5)
33.5
(92.3)
33.4
(92.1)
33.9
(93.0)
31.0
(87.8)
30.7
(87.3)
31.0
(87.8)
31.7
(89.1)
31.5
(88.7)
31.6
(88.9)
32.0
(89.6)
33.9
(93.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.4
(84.9)
29.9
(85.8)
30.2
(86.4)
30.1
(86.2)
29.3
(84.7)
28.0
(82.4)
27.3
(81.1)
27.7
(81.9)
28.6
(83.5)
28.7
(83.7)
29.0
(84.2)
29.1
(84.4)
28.9
(84.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.9
(78.6)
26.2
(79.2)
26.4
(79.5)
26.4
(79.5)
26.0
(78.8)
24.7
(76.5)
23.8
(74.8)
24.1
(75.4)
25.0
(77.0)
25.2
(77.4)
25.5
(77.9)
25.6
(78.1)
25.4
(77.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.4
(72.3)
22.5
(72.5)
22.6
(72.7)
22.6
(72.7)
22.6
(72.7)
21.4
(70.5)
20.4
(68.7)
20.5
(68.9)
21.3
(70.3)
21.8
(71.2)
22.0
(71.6)
22.1
(71.8)
21.8
(71.2)
Record low °C (°F) 19.1
(66.4)
19.6
(67.3)
19.2
(66.6)
19.4
(66.9)
18.5
(65.3)
14.0
(57.2)
14.0
(57.2)
13.4
(56.1)
16.0
(60.8)
18.3
(64.9)
18.8
(65.8)
19.6
(67.3)
13.4
(56.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 81
(3.2)
84
(3.3)
131
(5.2)
122
(4.8)
113
(4.4)
19
(0.7)
0
(0)
1
(0.0)
17
(0.7)
110
(4.3)
99
(3.9)
108
(4.3)
885
(34.8)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 8 8 12 11 10 3 2 3 6 12 11 8 94
Average relative humidity (%) 85 84 83 83 84 79 77 78 79 82 85 85 82
Mean monthly sunshine hours 142.6 135.6 139.5 126.0 145.7 165.0 161.2 148.8 120.0 114.7 135.0 142.6 1,676.7
Mean daily sunshine hours 4.6 4.8 4.5 4.2 4.7 5.5 5.2 4.8 4.0 3.7 4.5 4.6 4.6
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[1]
Climate data for Santo Antonio
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2)
29.6
(85.3)
29.6
(85.3)
29.4
(84.9)
28.8
(83.8)
27.6
(81.7)
26.8
(80.2)
27.1
(80.8)
27.4
(81.3)
27.5
(81.5)
28.2
(82.8)
28.6
(83.5)
28.3
(82.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.5
(77.9)
24.8
(76.6)
25.8
(78.4)
25.8
(78.4)
25.4
(77.7)
24.2
(75.6)
23.5
(74.3)
23.8
(74.8)
24.3
(75.7)
24.4
(75.9)
24.8
(76.6)
25.2
(77.4)
24.8
(76.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.0
(71.6)
20.0
(68.0)
22.0
(71.6)
22.1
(71.8)
21.9
(71.4)
20.7
(69.3)
20.2
(68.4)
20.4
(68.7)
21.2
(70.2)
21.4
(70.5)
21.4
(70.5)
21.8
(71.2)
21.2
(70.2)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 113
(4.4)
105
(4.1)
186
(7.3)
233
(9.2)
229
(9.0)
89
(3.5)
21
(0.8)
36
(1.4)
146
(5.7)
398
(15.7)
174
(6.9)
142
(5.6)
1,872
(73.6)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 14 11 16 18 18 7 14 12 21 25 18 14 188
Average relative humidity (%) 88 86 86 87 88 83 83 83 86 89 88 87 86
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[2]

Climate change[edit]

Annual temperature anomaly in São Tomé and Príncipe, 1901 to 2020.

Between 1950 and 2010, São Tomé and Príncipe experienced an increase of 1.5 °C in average annual temperature due to climate change.[3] The country is considered highly vulnerable to its impacts. Climate change is projected to lead to an increased number of warm days and nights, hotter temperatures and increased precipitation.[4] Sea level rise and saltwater intrusion will be major issues for the islands[4] and climate change will have major impacts on agriculture in the country.[5] The government began developing a National Adaptation Plan in 2022 to implement climate adaptation efforts, with support from the United Nations Environment Programme.[6]

Wildlife[edit]

Waterfalls near Ponta Figo, São Tomé and Príncipe

The two islands are oceanic islands which have always been separate from mainland Central Africa and so there is a relatively low diversity of species, restricted to those that have managed to cross the sea to the islands. However the level of endemism is high with many species occurring nowhere else in the world.

Statistics[edit]

Maritime claims:

  • Measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
  • Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain
Volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes
  • Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m (0 ft)
Natural resources
Fish, hydropower:
Environment—current issues
Deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment—international agreements

Extreme points[edit]

Pico Cão Grande.

This is a list of the extreme points of São Tomé and Príncipe, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Klimatafel von Sao Tomé (Flugh.) / Sao Tomé und Principe" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  2. ^ "Klimatafel von Santo Antonio / Insel Principe / Sao Tomé und Principe" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  3. ^ "World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal". climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  4. ^ a b Chou, Sin Chan; de Arruda Lyra, André; Gomes, Jorge Luís; Rodriguez, Daniel Andrés; Alves Martins, Minella; Costa Resende, Nicole; da Silva Tavares, Priscila; Pereira Dereczynski, Claudine; Lopes Pilotto, Isabel; Martins, Alessandro Marques; Alves de Carvalho, Luís Felipe; Lima Onofre, José Luiz; Major, Idalécio; Penhor, Manuel; Santana, Adérito (2020-05-01). "Downscaling projections of climate change in Sao Tome and Principe Islands, Africa". Climate Dynamics. 54 (9): 4021–4042. doi:10.1007/s00382-020-05212-7. ISSN 1432-0894. S2CID 215731771.
  5. ^ Costa Resende Ferreira, Nicole; Martins, Minella; da Silva Tavares, Priscila; Chan Chou, Sin; Monteiro, Armando; Gomes, Ludmila; Santana, Adérito (2021-02-11). "Assessment of crop risk due to climate change in Sao Tome and Principe". Regional Environmental Change. 21 (1): 22. doi:10.1007/s10113-021-01746-6. ISSN 1436-378X. S2CID 231886512.
  6. ^ "São Tomé and Príncipe develops National Adaptation Plan for climate change | Global Adaptation Network (GAN)". www.unep.org. Retrieved 2022-08-18.