Two of the three islands in the Gulf of Biafra left behind by the migration of the African plate away from a "hot spot" which is now found under the volcanic Mount Cameroon.

The islands were uninhabited when discovered by the Portuguese.

Former Portuguese colony used for slave plantations. Later the plantations were worked by 'free' workers, paid very little.

Independence came in 1975 when there was a revolution in Portugal and the end of the dictatorship there.

It may become a US base for the US interests in West Africa (mainly oil supplies). Soon there will be an oil industry.

Portuguese

Igbo

others

Attempted military coup Aug 1995.

So far, there is a democratic government. Some soldiers have tried to stage a coup but were unsuccessful. Will the country stay democratic when the oil money flows in?

In colonial days there were plantations for Cocoa. The plantation owners became rich; the workers brought from the mainland were extremely poor. When the Portuguese left at independence the economy collapsed.

40% inflation, 38% unemployment.

Oil companies believe there are large supplies of oil in the sea within territorial waters. It seems likely that someone will soon be uncontrollably rich. Will it be the people?

Xan Rice on the oil deals