RELIGION LIBRARY

Sao Tome and Principe

Map of Sao Tome and Principe

The country has an area of 386 square miles and a population of 200,000. According to the bishop's office, 85 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 12 percent Protestant, and less than 2 percent is Muslim. Protestantism has grown considerably in recent years due to missionary activities. The number of Muslims has increased due to an influx of migrants from Nigeria and Cameroon. Some syncretistic beliefs are practiced, combining indigenous traditions with Christian or Islamic beliefs.

Population Population (2009 est.) 212,679
Religious Demographics Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Ethnic Groups Ethnic Groups mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Languages Languages Portuguese (official)
Country Flag Flag of Sao Tome and Principe