Debt - external: $253.8 million (2000)

Economic aid - recipient: $200 million in December 2000 under the
HIPC program

Currency: dobra (STD)

Currency code: STD

Exchange rates: dobras per US dollar - 9,009.1 (December 2001), 8,842.1 (2001), 7,978.2 (2000), 7,119.0 (1999), 6,883.2 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications Sao Tome and Principe

Telephones - main lines in use: 3,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 6,942 (1997)

Telephone system: general assessment: adequate facilities domestic: minimal system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)