(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53956000/gif/_53956260_saotome_principe.gif)
Sao Tome and Principe, once a leading cocoa producer, is poised to profit from the commercial exploitation of large offshore reserves of oil.
• Full name: The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
• Population: 165,400 (UN, 2010)
• Capital: Sao Tome
• Area: 1,001 sq km (386 sq miles)
• Major language: Portuguese
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 65 years (men), 69 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 dobra = 100 centimos
• Main exports: Cocoa
• GNI per capita: US $1,140 (World Bank, 2009)
• Internet domain: .st
• International dialling code: +239
But arguments have arisen over how to spend the expected windfall, leading to political tension.
One of Africa's smallest countries, Sao Tome and Principe consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets.
BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14093493)
Provides an overview of Sao Tome and Principe, including key events and facts about this oil-rich island nation - one of Africa's smallest states.
Attribution: CNN, BBC and IOL Africa.