Sao Tome and Principe | World Heritage Explorer

Sao Tome and Principe became a State Party to the World Heritage Convention in 2006. It is home to one World Heritage Site. Sao Tome and Principe ranks 31st worldwide and 10th in Africa by number of World Heritage Sites. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Cultural category.

Sao Tome and Principe as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: July 25, 2006

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None

Total of Mandate Years: 0

Total of Mandates: 0

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Sao Tome and Principe (1)

Cultural: 1 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 0

The Roças of Sao Tome and Principe: Colonial Agricultural System and Forced Migration · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sao Tome and Principe.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

2026

The Roças of Sao Tome and Principe: Colonial Agricultural System and Forced Migration

Tentative World Heritage Sites (2)

Les roças de Monte Café, Agua-lzé e Sundy de São Tomé e Príncipe · submitted: January 30, 2023
Îles volcaniques de Sao Tomé et Principe · submitted: January 30, 2023

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Sao Tome and Principe

Official Name: Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Middle Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: São Tomé

Population (2024): 235,536

Land Area: 960 km²

Currency: São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Sao Tome and Principe

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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