The Cape Verde archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 500 kilometers from the African coast of Senegal. It is formed by the islands of Leeward (Maio, Sao Tiago, Fogo and Brava) and for those of Windward (Santo Antao, Santa Luzia, Sao Vicente, Boa Vista, Sao Nicolau and Sal), in addition to a few islets.
Cape Verde islands
Total, less than half a million people live in Cape Verde, which have Portuguese as their official language, although the majority of the population also speaks Kriolu, born from the interbreeding between some West African languages and Portuguese.
Its culture mixes both European and African elements in the middle of a rich flora and fauna, with exclusive species of this archipelago.
However, the Cape Verde islands do not stand out for their vegetation: the number of trees and plants is more limited than expected from a site like this. The explanation is found in the strong dryers that constantly lives the archipelago and its volcanic origin. In fact, on the island of Fogo you can see a volcano that is still active.
Sao Tiago, the main island
Cape Verde's capital is Praia, which also has the honor of having the most important port in the archipelago. Praia is located in the south of the Sao Tiago island (in Sotavento), the largest in the republic and the first to be inhabited. There, other towns such as Ribeira Grande, now known as Cidade Velha, where you can see some vestiges of the first traces of the Portuguese. North of Praia we find the town of Tarrafal, a small fishing village, with a magnificent beach, which combines the gold of the land with the transparent turquoise of its waters.
Sao Tiago Island
In the brava island highlights a population, Nova Sintra, considered the most beautiful in Cape Verde. In the fogo island it is essential to visit its impressive volcano.
Volcano on the Island of Fogo
The northern islands
The northern islands also have attractions to enjoy a magnificent stay. Among them the island of Sao Vicente, known as the island of music and where you can hear very different styles that reflect the diverse origins of the population. In Sal, it is worth visiting the impressive salt mines, which give the island its name, and practice some water sports such as scuba diving or surfing.
The boa island Vista also stands out for being an ideal place to practice water sports, since its white sandy beaches seem like something from another world. There, the remains of the ship Cabo Santa María, which was wrecked during a trip to Brazil, continue to surprise many tourists who come to the area.
Cabo Santa Maria boat
Other data of interest
* Official name: Republic of Cape Verde
* Area: 4,033km²
* Coasts: 965km.
* Main ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal
* Capital: Praia
* Currency: Cape Verdean shield
* Official Language: Portuguese
* Name: Cape Verdean OTX
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