nouna republic in the Gulf of Guinea, off the W coast of Africa, on the Equator: consists of the islands of Príncipe and SãoTom é; 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: 204 327 (2017 est). Area: 1001 sq km (386 sq miles)