The volcanic islands of São Tomé and Príncipe lie 289 km from the African mainland in the Gulf of Guinea. The nation consists of two main islands (São Tomé and Príncipe) and eight smaller islands, of which six are uninhabited. São Tomé is larger than Príncipe, which lies about 145 km northeast of its sister island. The capital is São Tomé city. The country's closest neighbours are Gabon and Equatorial Guinea on the Atlantic coast of central Africa.

São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and it remains the smallest Portuguese-speaking country today. São Tomé and Príncipe is also the second-smallest African country, behind Seychelles.

Australia is accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe through our Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe is also accredited to Australia though its Embassy in Lisbon.

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