Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

7.2
An island country in the South Atlantic off the west coast of Central Africa made of two islands
  • proper noun
translation icon : República Democrática de Santo Tomé y Príncipe
  • In 1975, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule.

Examples

  • The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is known for its rich biodiversity and pristine beaches.

  • Oil exploration has increased foreign interest in Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe in recent years.

  • The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is known for its lush landscapes.

  • Have you ever visited the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe?

  • In 1975, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule.

  • Oil exploration has increased foreign interest in Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe in recent years.

  • The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is known for its rich biodiversity and pristine beaches.

Synonyms

Sao Tome and Principe
vsDemocratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
6.3

An island country off the west coast of Africa made of two main islands

specifies Central Africa rather than the broader west African coast
Sao Tome e Principe
vsDemocratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
7.3

An island country in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Central Africa

uses the South Atlantic Ocean term instead of the Gulf of Guinea

Surface Forms

Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe main

Morphology

democratic + republic + of + São + Tomé + and + Príncipe

The label follows the common compositional pattern 'Democratic Republic of [place]', so a learner who knows 'democratic' and 'republic' (and recognizes the place name) can infer it refers to a state with a republican, democratic system. The exact detail that the country is an island nation is not derivable from the constituents, but the overall meaning as the name of a country is transparent and cross-linguistically predictable.

Etymology

Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe combines the official title Democratic Republic with the names of the two islands, São Tomé and Príncipe. Portuguese sailors named São Tomé after Saint Thomas because they arrived on his day, and they called Príncipe 'the prince' to honour a Portuguese prince, and after 'independence' in 1975 the country kept this full name.