Information about Cape Verde
Maio
Maio is a quiet and tranquil island and is so quiet it has almost been forgotten. It is a similar size to Sal, measuring approximately 24kms by 16kms at its longest and widest points. The sand here is white and the beaches, like the rest of the island, idyllic. Another extremely flat island with wind erosion hiding its volcanic past except for Monte Penoso with an altitude of 436m.
The vast, palm-fringed beaches are all but deserted and you can bask in its unspoilt loveliness. Even the turtles have recognised this haven, and many have been earmarked to lay their eggs. The island is arid with an oasis of wells using water provided by windmills, making Maio today the home of the largest forestry area in Cape Verde, thus making it an important producer of coal and timber.
The capital, Vila Do Maio, with its large white baroque church, is a small town, which runs alongside one of the longest beaches in the archipelago. The harbour, now reconstructed, is an important factor in the development of the area. Many investors believe that the beauty of Maio will draw tourists, willing to make a small additional flight of ten minutes, from Santiago.
Sal
Sal is one of the most popular tourist islands and home to the now disused salt pits after which the island is named. It is the most developed of the islands and has a wide range of hotels to choose from. It hosts the international airport which was built in 1939, made Sal the gateway to the Cape Verde islands, with daily flights to many international destinations. Though not particularly large, measuring approximately 30 kms by 12 kms at its longest and widest points, Sal is considered to be the most ‘touristy’. The island is renowned for its magnificent white sandy palm-lined beaches, with perhaps the best known being the 8 km Santa Maria beach.
For surfers, kite surfers and divers, this is paradise and the prestigious Trilogy windsurfing competition is held in Ponta Preta in the south Caves. Scuba diving is becoming increasingly popular due to the vast and colourful sea life with tunnels and reefs and perfectly clear waters ensure that Sal is becoming a new prestigious dive centre. The island also offers other activities including cycling, hiking and a visit to the half natural, half man-made salt lagoon at the Pedro Lume salt mines, is a must during any visit to the island, where the salinity is on a par with that of the Dead Sea.
The main town here, Santa Maria, is a centre for tourism and water sports in the crystal waters and sandy coves. The entertainment found here is typical of the lively Capverdian culture, bars and restaurants playing local music. Espargos is the administrative centre, located close to the airport and offers plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you amused.
Santiago
Santiago is the largest and most populated Cape Verde island, Measuring approximately 55 kms by 29 kms at its longest and widest points. It has very valuable natural ecological and landscape resources, combining picturesque coastal and desert panoramas with cultivated valleys and inland zones. The traditional festivals and day-to-day atmosphere of the whole island makes Santiago the most African of all the islands of the archipelago.
The scenery on the island remains stunning and natural, testament to its ancient status as the first Cape Verde island to be populated by humans. In contrast to Sal, the island takes us from a rugged coastline, with occasional sandy beaches, inland via lush plantations of delights such as banana, papaya and mango, to a mountainous interior. The highest point is the twin peak of Pico d’Antonia, rising 1392m above the landscape. Deep valleys within the mountainous region are planted with corn and a wide variety of vegetables and has a variety of colourful flora and picturesque villages. For this reason, the island has become known as ‘the bread basket of the archipelago’.
The capital Praia enjoys a lively entertainment scene, and is bustling with activity. About ten miles from the old city of Praia, Cidade Velha, the original Portuguese capital, was a port for the trading of slaves and goods between the European empires. The old fortress overlooks narrow, cobbled streets, giving the city a nostalgic air of its former glory during colonial times. This is an interesting place to wander around, taking the old Cathedral and St Filipe Fortress. The first university in Cape Verde was established here in Praia. There is also a museum of marine archaeology, which houses treasure recovered from various wrecks that sunk around the islands. Baia do Tarrafal, are obligatory stops on a trip. The immense plantations of banana and coconut trees that stretch as far as the eye can see are also very impressive and the visitor can enjoy the juice of a coconut, freshly picked and opened for the occasion. Famous visitors to this island include Captain Cook and Sir Francis Drake, both of whom docked here on their voyages of discovery.
August 2005 saw the opening of the new international airport in the Capital Praia. This event is expected to drastically increase Cape Verde’s potential as a top holiday destination, and open the door to an influx of tourists as the infrastructure becomes available.
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