[1] With 44,752 residents (2012) rising to 50,800 in 2018, it is the second most populous district of the country.

It is divided into the five statistical subdistricts Trindade, Madalena, Caixão Grande, Bombom and Almas.

[3][2]: 15 The western part of the district is mountainous, and lies partly in the Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé.

The eastern part is densely populated, due to the proximity of the city São Tomé.

Other settlements are: The main economic activity in the district is agriculture, and it forms a large part of the national agricultural production.