São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Rolas. These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The islands lie on an alignment of once-active volcanoes, with rugged landscapes, dense forests and virgin, palm-fringed beaches. These islands provide unspoiled beauty and isolation from the world now rarely found anywhere else. The history of the islands is dominated by the slave trade and slave-worked plantations. The town of São Tomé is picturesque, with colonial Portuguese architecture and attractive parks. There are several restaurants in the capital. Reservations are nearly always required, not for lack of space but to allow the proprietor to obtain sufficient food in advance. Grilled fish and chicken are popular. Most dishes are highly spiced.