Sao Tome and Principe is a tiny, paradise-like African island state located in the Gulf of Guinea, on the equator. Composed of two main islands of volcanic origin (São Tomé and the pristine Isla de Príncipe, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), it is famous for its extraordinary rate of biodiversity and endemism, its historic colonial cocoa and coffee estates ('roças'), wild beaches lined with coconut palms nesting sea turtles, towering volcanic pythons and a peaceful way of life guided by the national motto 'Leve-Leve'.