São Tomé is one of the smallest countries in Africa and its Portuguese culture is reflected in the country's art and culture. The island has remained untouched by tourism and is a fascinating place to explore. Abandoned coffee plantations and smallholders' plots surround the dense forests of the Obo National Park, which covers half the country. Here you can find an amazing variety of birds including some species endemic to this island. The towering summit of the Pico de São Tomé ancient volcano (2024 metres above sea level) forms a dramatic landscape in the heart of the country, with tropical forests on its slopes. Around the coastline of São Tomé travellers will find small coves and wild beaches, while offshore reefs provide opportunities for scuba diving.