Democratic Republic of, a republic in W Africa, comprising the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe, in the Gulf of Guinea, N of the equator: a former overseas province of Portugal; gained independence in 1975. 147,865; 372 sq. mi. (964 sq. km). Capital: São Tomé.
São Tomé and PríncipeorSão Tomé e Príncipe (Portuguese sə̃un tuˈmɛ ˈɛː ˈprɪ̃ːsipə)
—n
a republic in the Gulf of Guinea, off the W coast of Africa, on the Equator: consists of the islands of Príncipe and São Tomé; colonized by the Portuguese in the late 15th century; became independent in 1975. Official language: Portuguese. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: dobra. Capital: São Tomé. Pop: 164 000 (2004 est). Area: 1001 sq km (386 sq miles)
