Santo António
{{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Infobox settlement Santo António (Portuguese for Saint Anthony), also known as Santo António do Príncipe, is the main settlement of the island of Príncipe in São Tomé and Príncipe. It lies on the north east coast. It is the capital of the Autonomous Region of Príncipe. Its population is 2,620 (2012), about 35% of the island's population.<ref name="citypop">São Tomé and Príncipe, www.citypopulation.de</ref> The town is known for its colonial architecture and for its churches: Church of Our Lady of the Conception and Church of Our Lady of the Rosary.<ref name=hpip>Santo António, Heritage of Portuguese Influence</ref> The town is also known for the Auto das Floripes play, which is performed by the citizens.<ref>Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Heritage of Portuguese Influence</ref>
History
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The town Santo António was founded in 1502, and was a centre of sugarcane cultivation.<ref name=hpip/> In 1695, the Fort of Ponta da Mina was built at the entrance of the bay of Santo António. The town and the fortress were destroyed by French privateers in 1706.<ref name=hpip/> From 1753 until 1852, it was the colonial capital of Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Climate
Santo António has a tropical monsoon climate, with very warm to hot temperatures and oppressive humidity year-round. The average temperature is Template:Convert. The average annual rainfall is Template:Convert, with the least rain in July and the most in October.<ref name = DWD/> Template:Weather box
Transportation
Príncipe Airport lies 3 km north of the town. It offers flights to São Tomé International Airport on STP Airways<ref>STP Airways Website</ref> and Africa's Connection STP.
Sports
The town has the only sports facility on the island, Estádio Regional 13 de Junho. The facility is home to the football clubs Sporting Clube do Príncipe and GD Os Operários.Template:Citation needed
Twin towns
Santo António is twinned with the Portuguese cities of Aveiro<ref name=gem>Template:Cite web</ref> and Faro.<ref name="Faro twinnings">Template:Cite web</ref>
References
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