São Tomé and Príncipe, officially theDemocratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speakingisland nationin theGulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast ofCentral Africa. It consists of twoarchipelagosaround the two main islands:São ToméandPríncipe, located about 140 kilometres (87 miles) apart and about 250 and 225 kilometres (155 and 140 miles), respectively, off the northwestern coast ofGabon.
With a population of 192,993 (2013 Census), São Tomé and Príncipe is the second-smallest African country afterSeychelles, as well as the smallestPortuguese-speaking country. Its people are predominantly of African andmestiçodescent, with most adhering toRoman Catholicism. The legacy of Portuguese rule is also visible in the country's culture, customs, and music, which fuse European and African influences.