Its capital, São Tomé, is also the national capital of the equatorial Atlantic island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Covering only 16.5 km2 (6 sq mi), it is the smallest of the nation's seven districts in terms of area,[1] but the largest in population with 69,454 residents in 2012 rising to an estimated 77,700 in 2018.

[2] It is divided into the two statistical subdistricts São Tomé and Pantufo.

[3][2]: 15 The main settlement is the town São Tomé.

Other settlements are: Água Grande currently has 13 seats in the National Assembly.