UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Roças of Sao Tome and Principe: Colonial Agricultural System and Forced Migration

The serial property comprises six geographically separate roças (Portuguese colonial agricultural plantations) located on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe: Monte Café, Agua Izé, Diogo Vaz, Sao Joao, Sundy, and Belo Monte. Together, they represent a planned colonial plantation

The serial property comprises six geographically separate roças (Portuguese colonial agricultural plantations) located on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe: Monte Café, Agua Izé, Diogo Vaz, Sao Joao, Sundy, and Belo Monte. Together, they represent a planned colonial plantation system dedicated primarily to coffee and cocoa production, combining agricultural land, industrial infrastructure, residential areas, and social facilities within highly structured spatial layouts. The property illustrates the operation of a large-scale colonial agro-industrial system, based on forced migration and labour, from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, to sustain global commodity production after the abolition of slavery.

Country
Sao Tome and Principe
Region
Africa
Category
Cultural
Inscribed
2026
UNESCO reference
1750
Area
72.9 ha

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