Santo António, São Tomé and Príncipe
| Santo António | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Street in Santo António, 2015
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 Santo António
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| Coordinates: 1°38′12″N 7°25′04″E / 1.63667°N 7.41778°E | |
| Country |
 São Tomé and Príncipe
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| Province | Príncipe |
| District | Pagué |
| Elevation | 669 ft (204 m) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 1,357 |
| Time zone | UTC (UTC+0) |
Coordinates: 01°38′12″N 007°25′04″E / 1.63667°N 7.41778°E
Santo António is the main settlement of Príncipe Island in São Tomé and Príncipe. It lies on the north east coast and the Palhota River. It serves as the capital of both Príncipe Province and Pagué District and has an estimated population of 1,200 residents, about 15% of the island's population.
The town was the first settlement founded on the island, founded in 1502, it would use the name that used to be an island name. The village is named after Saint Anthony. From 1753 until 1852, it was the colonial capital of Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe, also that time, the diocese seat was located in town.
Along with the island and the archipelago, the town was occupied by the Dutch under the context of the Habsburg Philippine Dynasty from August to October 1598. Later the Dutch ruled again and controlled the slave trade from 1641 to 1644, they were later expelled by the Portuguese. The town was destroyed in 1719 by the English pirate Bartholomew Roberts, nicknamed "John Roberts" and "Black Bart" in revenge of the death of the captain Howell Davis.
The town is known for its colonial architecture and for its churches, the largest of which is the main Roman Catholic church, begun in 1947. The town is also known for the Auto da Floripes play, which is performed by the citizens and watched by people coming from all over the world.
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Wikipedia