What is the capital of São Tomé and Príncipe?

The capital of São Tomé and Príncipe is São Tomé.

São Tomé is both the capital and largest city of this Portuguese-speaking island country in the Gulf of Guinea. It occupies the northeastern coast of São Tomé Island beside Ana Chaves Bay, roughly 40 kilometres north of the Equator. The city is also the country’s main port, transport hub, and administrative centre.

The settlement dates to the late 15th century, when Portuguese colonisation began. Álvaro Caminha founded the colony in 1493, and the city’s name means “Saint Thomas,” referring to the apostle. São Tomé developed around sugar production, which relied heavily on enslaved labour. During the 16th century, the island became a major sugar-producing centre before Brazil overtook it by about 1600.

Historic landmarks include the 16th-century cathedral, largely rebuilt in the 19th century, and Fort São Sebastião, constructed in 1566 and now home to the National Museum. The city remained the colonial capital and continued as the national capital when São Tomé and Príncipe became independent in 1975. It is sometimes confused with Príncipe, the country’s second main island, but Príncipe’s capital is Santo António.