HOME
Cape Verde comprises nine inhabited islands, plus an uninhabited island and eight islets in the Atlantic Ocean, located approximately 450km off the western tip of Senegal. Cape Verde used to be a Portuguese colony but gained its independence in 1975 and is now a Republic.
The islands offer a tropical climate all year round, with average daily temperatures varying from 23°C (January) to 30°C (September). The terrain, the people, and the ecological structure all differ considerably island to island. From the white sandy beaches, turquoise seas, and arid interior of Sal, to the dramatic scenery and green mountains of Santo Antão; the vast and desolate beaches of Boa Vista and Maio, to the thriving cultural capital with beautiful colonial architecture and port at the heart of São Vicente Mindelo.
Due to their position in the Atlantic, the islands are windy most of the year, and at times the northeast trade winds can be very strong. On the plus side, the humidity is low, and conditions for watersports are excellent.
Cape Verde is a country that offers the best of everything. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world and boast crystal clear waters. For those who are not content with just lazing about on the palm-fringed beaches, there is a variety of water sports. Sal is considered one of the best destinations in the world for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing, with winds from November to March and a tropical climate all year round. The West Coast experiences the biggest waves. The deep-sea angler will catch fish he has only dreamt of, and culture lovers will find music and literature in abundance.
Sal is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Cape Verde islands. It has picture-perfect beaches, first-class water sports, and an exciting African-European ambiance. It is the most developed of the Cape Verde islands and has already become popular with tourists. The sea temperature is just a couple of degrees cooler than the air temperature in the summer months, dropping to 22°C in winter. Rain is virtually non-existent, with an average rainfall of 8cm a year.
The island is thought to have formed around 50 million years ago during a huge volcanic eruption. Sal was discovered by the Portuguese in 1460 and was named Llana (which means flat). It was some time later when salt was discovered at Pedra de Lume that it was renamed Sal – meaning Salt.
The first settlement was established by slaves from Boa Vista Island. By the late 17th Century, the demand for salt had grown, and traders began to stop for salt supplies. By the end of the 18th Century, a small settlement had grown in the south of the island, which is now the town of Santa Maria.
The construction of Cape Verde’s first airport on Sal was in 1939. The airport, called Amilcar Cabral International Airport, now offers services to and from a host of countries, including direct flights to America, Portugal, and England. It has its own national airline, TAVC Cabo Verde Airlines.
In 1975, the islands became independent, and the Republic of Cape Verde was born. It now boasts one of Africa’s most stable democratic governments.
Cape Verde is the world’s third most important nesting site for loggerhead turtles. Despite being an endangered species and protected by law, the turtles are still killed for their meat. In 2007, it was estimated that loggerhead turtles on Sal would be extinct by 2015 if something was not done to stop the illegal hunting and trading of their meat.
In 2008, ADTMA SOS Tartarugas began patrols to deter hunters, and the mortality in the first year declined by an estimated 72%. Since that time, hundreds of volunteers and local employees have patrolled the beaches, directly saving many adult females from hunters. As the project evolved, they began to offer turtle walks and other programs to enable visitors to participate in these conservation activities and to inform and educate about the need to protect marine turtles.
Santa Maria is the epicenter of Sal’s tourism. Situated on a bay at the foot of the island, the town is an enticing blend of African and European cultures. Brightly colored buildings line the palm-fringed beach, while further back, cobbled streets open into a square packed with cafés and restaurants. The atmosphere is vibrant and legendary. It is the perfect place for diving, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
The nearest town to the airport and the administrative center of the island, Espargos is also the capital of Sal and was named after the asparagus vegetable, which was grown in abundance on the island.
This is the oldest village on Sal, located on the east coast. Here, you can still see the 19th-century chapel, the old warehouses, and the milling and sacking apparatus used to pack and transport salt. The saline itself is located in the crater of an old volcano, accessed via an artificial tunnel. The site is now protected and is one of the best places for bird watching.
Ponta Preta is a beautiful beach located on the west coast. This is the place to come and watch some of the most challenging windsurfing and kite surfing Cape Verde has to offer.
A small calm bay located further up the coast towards Murdeira town. Accessed by a small dusty road, it is perfect for a picnic. It is frequented by local families in the summer for walking and camping and is also a turtle spawning area.
Palmeira is located on the coast directly to the west of Espargos and was originally a fishing village. Today it houses the island's main power station and desalination plant. There is a quaint harbor and some great restaurants serving fresh seafood.
The people are a mixture of African and European, with approximately 70% of the population being of mixed race. The official language of the islands is Portuguese, which is used in most written communication, including newspapers; however, Creole tends to be used in conversation, and it's this you'll hear being used on a day-to-day basis. Creole is based on African languages but has additions from several European languages. Even this can differ from island to island. English has been taught as a foreign language in schools. The religion of the islands is largely Christian, and there are also followers of Islam and other religions.
Cape Verde is also rich in music and culture, with festivals taking place throughout the year. The most famous of these is the annual Carnival, which features colorful parades, music, and dancing.