São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe became independent from Portugal on 12 July 1975. The country held its first free elections in 1991.

Since these elections there have been repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to influence the country's future.

São Tomé and Príncipe has mixed legal system of civil law based on the Portuguese model and customary law.

São Tomé and Príncipe has a constitution dating from 1990.