I know absolutely nothing about São Tomé and Príncipe, so here’s a quick-fire collection of facts.

São Tomé and Príncipe is located off the coast of Gabon and is a bit smaller than the Faroe Islands and consists of two archipelagos. In terms of population, São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest African nation.

The islands were completely uninhabited until they were discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 1400s. São Tomé and Príncipe then became a centre for the Atlantic slave trade before becoming a hotspot for sugar cultivation. Nowadays cocoa is the main crop of the island nation and it represents 95% of the country’s exports. 

São Tomé and Príncipe eventually gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and has since transformed into one of Africa’s most politically stable countries.

São Tomé and Príncipe is known for its huge rock monolith, Pico Cão Grande. Pico Cão Grande is a needle shaped volcanic plug that rises 663 metres into the sky. Apparently it’s particularly difficult to climb due to all of the snakes who call it home, but that hasn’t stopped groups of adventurers trying. Still, I bet the view’s good.