CAPITAL SAO TOME – POPULATION 199,579 – AREA 1001 SQ KM – OFFICIAL LANGUAGE PORTUGUESE
Though it might sound contradictory, the main draw for tourists to these tiny, peaceable West African volcanic islands is that there are no tourists. Hard to get to, and equally hard to leave, these green specks in the ocean offer all that an island getaway should: miles of empty beaches, diving to die for, and rainforest trails to explore amid twittering birdlife. All’s not entirely at ease in this floating utopia though: vast and unexploited reserves of oil lying just beneath its shimmering waters have inevitably started to cause arguments. How should the cash be spent when the black stuff cornes up? Let’s hope it’s not on a 747-size landing strip, a casino, or a slew of luxury hotels.
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