Mountains and Forrests

There are several forest ecosystems in São Tomé and Príncipe: The Low Altitude Rainforest Zone (ranging from sea level up to 800 m) has a significant number of endemic trees. Within this area, four types of plant formations can be recognized: "Secondary Forest", mainly characterized by the predominance of exotic and cultivated species and pioneer species with rapid growth that become naturalized; "Shadow Forest", consisting of wild survivor species from the original forest and species introduced for a shadow effect on cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and coffee (Coffea spp.) crops; the "Savannah" is the edaphic and climatic formation that is located on part of the coastline; and the "Mangroves", which are distributed by the mouth of watercourses. 

The Mountain Forest Zone occupies the entire area within an altitude from 800 m to 1,400 m. It is characterized by a change in the species composition, in relation to the less high altitudes, due to the decrease in temperature with the increasing altitude, higher rainfall and humidity, constant fogs and considerable mists, reducing light levels. 

The Fog Forest Zone goes from an altitude of 1,400 m up to 2,024 m. In this zone predominate typical endemic species, such as the country endemic, and unique, gymnosperm, 'pinheiro de São Tomé' (Afrocarpus mannii) and the 'giant lobelia' (Lobelia barnsii). Orchids, ferns (within which the 'samambaias'), mosses and lichens are also frequent, as well as an abundance of epiphytes 

Primary humid forest 

São Tomé has a total surface of 85,700 ha, of which around 24,500 ha (28 %) constituted by primary humid forest (obó park). 

Príncipe has a total surface of 13,900 ha, with 4500 ha (32.%) of virgin forests. 

The primary humid forest in both islands generally extends over very mountainous terrain, that is difficult to access; for this reason it has remained intact. Also conservation and managment plans have been implemented. 

Secondary forest-  "Capoeira" 

21% of the country is secondary forest, called "Capoeira". Most of these areas are abandoned cocoa and coffee plantations. The secondary forests end up being the target of illegal housing, agricultural conversion often generating land use conflicts. The continuous degradationof the soil due to the agricultural activities is aggravated by the lack of application of measures against erosion. 

10 mountain peaks closest to Pico de São Tomé:

1. Sao Tome (2024 m) 21.6 km
2. San Carlos (2260 m) 408.1 km
3. San Joaquin (2009 m) 414.9 km
4. Santa Isabel (3007 m) 443.6 km
5. Pico Basilé (3011 m) 444.9 km
6. Cameroon Mountain (4070 m) 527.1 km
7. Rumpi Hills (1768 m) 583.7 km
8. Bakossi Mountains (2064 m) 615.8 km
9. Mount Kupe (2064 m) 615.8 km
10. Manengouba (2411 m) 644.4 km 

Parque Natural do Príncipe

Parque Natural Ôbo

Reserva Natural do Ilhéu das Rolas

Reserva Natural das Ilhas Tinhosas

Pico Cão Grande

Pico Cão Pequeno

Pico de São Tomé

Pico Calvario

Pico do Principe

Pinheiro

Pico Ana de Chaves

Pico Cabumbe