Santo Antonio (Principe Island)

Santo António is the main port and town on Príncipe Island - the smaller of two main isles (together with Sao Tome) comprising Sao Tome and Principe. The country is in Gulf of Guinea, off mainland Africa's western coast (Gabon). Sao Tome is approx 140 km (87 ml) to the southwest of Príncipe.

• Principe Island has total area approx 136 km2 (53 ml2) and population around 5,000. The island is a heavily eroded volcano and is surrounded by several smaller isles, including Ilheu Caroco, Tinhosa Grande, Tinhosa Pequena, Ilheu Bom Bom. Principe's highest elevation point (Pico de Principe)is in the south (948 m / 3110 ft), in a thickly forested area part of Obo National Park.
• When discovered by the Portuguese, the island was uninhabited. It was named Principe (Prince's island) in honor of Afonso, Prince of Portugal (1475-1491). Subsequently, isle's central and northern lands were converted into sugar and cocoa plantations, making it world's largest cocoa producer. After country's independence (1975) all plantations were reverted to forests.

Santo Antonio cruise terminal