Independent republic Cape Verde , is considered African. The archipelago lies opposite the westernmost point of Africa (Cape Almadi and Cape Verde in Dakar, Senegal), approximately 1000 km from the continent. 10 large islands, of which 9 are inhabited, and 5 small uninhabited rock islands. The capital is the city of Praia, on the island Santiago .
Cape Verde Islands on the map:
Cape Verde(Cape Verde) on a map from a local bookstore. Now she occupies a worthy place in our wardroom
Cape Verde on a map of the archipelago. The names of the islands with the prefix San- may differ slightly in different sources and even among different islands, and all because there is no clear agreement on how to correctly translate them into Russian :)
Windward Islands (Ilhas de Barlavento): Santo Antau (San Antao), San Vicente , Santa Lucia (uninhabited). San Nicolau, Sal , Boa Vista.
Leeward (Ilhas de Sotavento): Santiago , Mayu, Fogo and Brava.
Language– Portuguese, Creole – a mixture of Portuguese and African dialects. “Cut” Portuguese. Blacks communicated with their oppressors in Creole. The majority of the population speaks it among themselves. Knowledge of Spanish will help mutual understanding between travelers and the local population :).
Sao Vicente Island. West Bank, view from the road
How to get to Cape Verde
By plane from Lisbon, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich. On a yacht, for example, like this:
Airlines:
- TAP (Transport Air Purtugesh)– Portuguese airline
- – Cape Verdian Airlines
The second one is cheaper, but the first one is better. Local airline ( TACV (Transport Air Cabo Verde) likes to cancel and reschedule flights for, say, 12 hours, without particularly bothering to notify passengers. Therefore, if you are planning a flight on 4-seat aircraft, 3 of them may be covered. According to the rules, when a flight is rescheduled and there is a long connection, the company must provide passengers with a hotel. In fact, the transfer is planned in such a way that neither mother nor father will care: you fly past the hotel, and from three in the morning you spend the night at the airport on a chair. Well, the plus is that you lose money, of course, by not catching the next planes of other airlines. They say that the TAR company is about to be closed, then everyone will fly on Portuguese airlines. They also say that they should launch another company soon, then the prices will become more acceptable. But they've been saying that for five years now.
Flight cost With Cape Verde Islands to Moscow ranges from 650 (if you are lucky with discount promotions) to 1500 euros. Mostly planes to Europe fly from Sal Islands , which still needs to be reached. Local plane ticket from Mindelo ( Sao Vicente ) before Sala costs 180 euros.
View of Mindelo. Sao Vicente from Monte Verde, the highest point of the island
Cape Verde. Money and prices
For “disposable” clothes and everything else in Chinese stores, which are everywhere here, prices are comparable to European ones.
High food prices (one and a half to two times higher than the Canary Islands), since almost everything is imported from or from continents.
Some prices in escudo
- Apples – 175 – local, simple. 260 – 280 – glossy, beautiful.
- Snickers – 75. Sugar (brown), kg – 44 – 70.
- Milk, 1 l (long-term storage only) – 60-80.
- Potatoes – 120. Bulgarian. Pepper – simple – 175. Beautiful – 300-400
- Coconut liqueur with local grog, 0.5 l – 500-600
History of the development of the Cape Verde Islands
Cape Verde discovered by the Portuguese around 1462. The lands turned out to be uninhabited, which seems surprising, but understandable: almost all the islands have no sources of fresh water. Europeans began to use the newly discovered lands as a transshipment base for transporting slaves from Africa to America. Here the slaves were waiting to be sent overseas, some were dying, some were sick. The sick were left on the islands. Their descendants, mixed with the descendants of Portuguese slave owners, form the backbone of the current population of the islands - the Creoles.
Cape Verde visited by us:
Sao Vicente Island
Mindelo- the northern capital, it is also a cultural capital, the most beautiful city of the archipelago, a city of poets, artists and musicians. Birthplace of Cesaria Evora. Colonial architecture in the historical center. Here is the country's largest port, in a large protected bay there is an anchorage and the only marina in the country. A hub for yachting, sailors and commercial fishermen for fishing tourists.
Marina Mindelo
View of Marina Mindelo
Anchor– depth 5 meters, sand. Marina is completely European in appearance and design. The only one on the islands.
- Card shower for guests, closed pontoon.
- There is a bar with food on the pontoon. Toilet is free.
- Parking a dinghy at the cafe - 4 euros per day, we agreed on 10 per week. You can bargain to pay less.
- Parking in the marina is 27 (29) euros per day for a size of 40 feet. The cost depends on the length of stay.
- Water – 2 escudos per liter. Twice as expensive as people in the city
- Fuel – diesel is cheaper at the marina than at the gas station.
Marina owner– German, his wife is an Australian of Latvian origin. She lived in Berlin, met her husband there 14 years ago, and went here to develop a business and live.
Internet in the marina and in the marina bar. We catch from a yacht antenna. But when we started downloading movies, the Mariners quickly caught on and started changing the password twice a day... :)
Fishermen take their catch to the market in Mindelo
Sao Antao Island
The most beautiful, green island of the archipelago. High folded mountains with pine forests, gardens and even springs. This is the breadbasket of the archipelago.
Fogs in the Sao Antao mountains at the end of the dry season. After the rainy season (in September), the mountains acquire a richer velvet green color
Car rental- in Porto Novo. There is an international company “Pegasus”, 400 meters from the port along the coast to the north.
- Large pickup – 65 euros per day.
- Plus gasoline.
- If you drive more than 100 km per day, you get a bribe for every extra km.
In the northeast of the island is one of the most beautiful villages in the world, Fontainhas. To get there you need to drive 6 kilometers along a dirt road from the town of Paul along the ocean and into the mountains. Not high, but rocky, if you look down at the ocean from the cabin - it makes you close your eyes :). Tourist websites and brochures write that Fontainhas is located high in the mountains. Lies. Just drive to it - along a dirt road hanging over the ocean. Like this:
The path to the village of Fontainhas along a dirt road
Houses and terraced slopes of Fontainhas
In the town Paul there is an establishment “Black Mamba”, he is being held by the Italian Liana. Outdoor tables are hidden in the shade of climbing passion fruit, which the hostess immediately picks to prepare a carafe of fresh juice with ice. Grog is also diluted with the same juice - a local alcoholic drink extracted from cane and drunk due to the lack of fresh water on the islands :).
The owner Liana is a stately, fit woman of about 40, hard-working and neat. If you are not here for the first time and come to her during a siesta, Liana can offer you to prepare food from what is at hand, send you upstairs, and she will do fitness on the ground floor while listening to music. Liana has two children, the youngest is a Creole, the eldest, apparently, is still from Italy. Unfortunately, there are no photos of Liana’s establishment due to a dead battery in the camera.
House in Paul, San Antao Island
Our Russian friends from Mindelo also praise the establishment of the Italian F (Ernando? Francesco??) - he lives in a very comfortably decorated home and houses and feeds tourists. It’s better to ask the locals about its location; we never got there.
Tarrafal
The southern tip of the island of San Antao (the names Tarrafal are also on other Cape Verde Islands ), fishing village.
- The drive along the coast is tiring and long - along a dusty rocky dirt road through a lunar landscape for an hour and a half.
- It’s easier to come on a yacht – approx. 20 miles from Mindelo. Anchorage. Great depths. Beach. Beautiful from the sea and green even in the dry season.
- Here, in the cozy “place” of the Spaniard Tomas, they serve ice grog with passion fruit juice. Or just juice. Cold and tasty. Here are the numbers. The establishment speaks Portuguese and Spanish, and Tomas probably also speaks English. The owners themselves live in the house, which they rent out to guests.
U Tomas, Tarrafal, San Antao
Entrance to the restaurant-resort “Marina and Tarrafal” by the Spaniard Tomas, Tarrafal, San Antao
View of Tarrafal from the ocean as you approach the anchorage. San Antao
The streets would be beautiful if they were looked after.
Read more about Tarrafal on the island. San Antao, the features of anchorage and disembarkation from a yacht ashore are written in the material .
Giant sea turtles lay their eggs here. The island was once inhabited by people. Our notes about this wonderful island are in the group on FB (soon they will be transferred to the website)
Cape Verde. Medicine
State healthcare for the local population is almost free; for this you need to pay for something like an insurance policy. Certificates stating that you are low-income will help you get treatment even more free :).
Mindelo has a municipal hospital and at least one good, but expensive private clinic, “MediCentro”. It is located near the marina next to the police station. The girl at the reception even speaks Russian. An initial appointment with a doctor costs 6,000 escudos (5.5 thousand rubles). A Russian urologist works at the clinic. (If necessary, we can provide the contact in a personal message). On Sao Vicente there is a good European laboratory, “Labo Jove” (I think so), where they do high-quality tests.
The old Mindelo Hospital is 200 years old. There are hospital buildings and a clinic (consultation center). Inside the building there are open galleries with entrances to offices, trees, and again a closed corridor with office doors. Everyone has been sitting in line on benches since eight in the morning. At nine, the office doors are wide open, but not a single doctor is visible. Then the people perk up and run to one common door, either for coupons or for test results. And again he sits doomedly in front of empty offices. No one takes a turn, everyone just waits. Ostensibly…
Shops and markets in Mindelo
Fish market on the shore opposite the anchorage. From the marina exit - 3 minutes to the right. Just behind the beautiful governor's tower (a copy of some famous tower.)
In the morning there is a lot of tuna at the market; in the cutting department the carcasses are cut up and taken to the traders. A kilo costs between 400 and 500 escudos. Cut into steaks. There is plenty of other seafood - dried, salted and fresh. They speak only Creole (Portuguese). Fish cleaning – 50 escudos
Central city market– in a beautiful colonial building. Everything is clean. Moderate selection of everything vegetable, + wine and grog, preserves, hard local cheese, dried herbs.
On the road from the fish market near the market square (where the booths are painted with pictures from Mindelo’s past) there are also vegetable and fruit shops and markets. . The square itself is a souvenir and clothing area.
The street near the main temple on one side is completely occupied by Chinese shops with Chinese people at the counter. They don't speak English either. There are a lot of inexpensive and disposable things, like everywhere else. 20 years ago, with the arrival of the Chinese in the Cape Verde Islands, all the locals began to be dressed and, finally, put on shoes.
About the people in Cape Verde - ours and the locals - will be here >> (material in the process of creation :))
Other entries from the Cape Verde Islands:
Cape Verde. Photos:
The beach in Mindelo (Sao Vicente island) is made of shell rock. lime, mixing with the turquoise of the ocean, forms a fantastic color of water. Just outside the port, north along the shore from the marina
Bar in Mindelo Marina in the evening, o. Sao Vicente.
Street in the center of Mindelo
street in the center of Mindelo
Rich neighborhood in Mindelo
Panorama of Mindelo, the cultural capital of the archipelago. View of the marina and anchorage
Surf on the uninhabited island of Santa Lucia. The masts of the Lady Mary at anchor are visible through the waves.
View from the anchorage of Santa Lucia Island to Sao Vicente Island at sunset
Republic of Cape Verde is located on the islands of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 620 km away. off the west coast of Africa and consists of 10 large and 5 small islands. The territory of the country is elevated and quite dry; up to 16% of the country is occupied by dry gravelly highlands - the so-called. "lunar landscape" The highest point of the country is Fogo (2840 m). Total area 4 thousand square meters. km.
The capital of Cape Verde is Praia
Population - 400 thousand people, mainly mulattoes - 71%, Africans (Fulani, Balante, Manja) - 28% and European settlers.
Political state: Republican form of government. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power belongs to the unicameral National People's Assembly.
The language in Cape Verde is Portuguese, when communicating with foreigners - Spanish, French and Creole dialect.
Religion in Cape Verde: Catholics (according to some sources - up to 80%) and adherents of local beliefs.
It must be said that Cape Verde is a classic desert. Of the ten islands, only one can be called green (or rather, half of one). On the north side Santo Antana rain happens at any time of the year. Therefore, there are streams, pine forests, sugar cane plantations - in general, landscapes that do not amaze with their gloomy grandeur. The southern half of Santo Antana is the same as the rest of the Cape Verde Islands.
The islands themselves are separated from each other by 100-150 kilometers of wavy ocean surface. Due to geographical features Cape Verde foreign guests usually arrive in the country by plane and move around its national territory in the same way. Small (but modern) planes of the national airline TACV take them from island to island in an hour.
There are, however, two large ocean ferries: Sotaventu (Leeward) and Barlaventu (Windward). They go around the archipelago in a circle: the first - clockwise, and the second - counter-clockwise. But these are long hours and even days of sailing. This is not something you might like Cape Verde for the average vacationer.
The archipelago owes its birth to volcanoes that poked their heads out of the ocean millions of years ago. One of the volcanoes is still smoking on the island Fogo(that’s why the island is called “fogu” - “fire”).
The rest went out. But appearance Cape Verde they have determined once and for all. Wherever in the archipelago you stand with your back to the sea, you will see more or less the same thing before your eyes. A sandy or rocky plain (where there is one), and behind it (in some places right in front of your nose) there are mountains of lava that go steeply into the cloudy layers of the atmosphere. Flag of the Republic Cape Verde white-blue-red, almost like in Russia. In fact, the country's characteristic colors are red, brown and black.
These colors change only once a year. Seasonal rains arrive at the end of August. There is a lot (even more than usual) of wind, thunder, lightning and similar dramatic effects. The desert responds to them with all its life-affirming power. Grass suddenly emerges from the bare stone. Until October, it feeds on the energy of hurricanes, and then dries up completely, only to emerge again from nothing the next year.
If the sight of a scorched desert does not make a beneficial impression on you, you urgently need to turn 180 degrees. There is a sea, the colors play there all year round. But a walk into the volcanic mountains is also worth taking. A car ride gives the most acute effect. You will receive it without any effort, no matter where or for what business you have to travel. Cape Verde.
On the way from the southern to the northern part of Santo Antana there is a place called Delgadinho("skinny"). Oncoming cars give way to each other there. Because the highway is just the width of a heavy truck, and there are no ditches. Instead, there are almost perfectly smooth cliffs on both the right and left. 1 km high. In not very clear weather, the view from this stone spine is spoiled by clouds. They dangle somewhere between the soles of your feet and the valley floor.
Roads on Cape Verde They are not covered with asphalt, like ours, but are cut into the lava and paved with paving stones from the same lava. Laying out terraces of lava blocks where necessary. However, side guards are somehow not considered very necessary. When turning corners, the soul of an unprepared passenger sinks into his heels. But local, and not only local, drivers maneuver there completely calmly.
Cape Verde- These are, first of all, natural attractions: the stunning contrast of the azure-blue ocean and yellow, sun-dried rocks create the unique charm of this country. The main “treasures” of the islands are under water - the ocean in the archipelago area is saturated with life, so this is one of the best places in the world for water sports and scuba divers.
The underwater foothills of the islands go down very steeply and are replete with both coral reefs with countless marine inhabitants and underwater caves with a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns.
During the migration period, both herds of whales often appear off the coast of the archipelago, allowing them to approach at a fairly close distance, and schools of ocean fish, serving as an object for sport fishing. Suffice it to say that in 2000, 6 world records for the size and weight of fish caught were registered off the coast of these islands.
The capital of the country - Praia, located on a mountain plateau, which is called the Plateau, is not rich in any architectural delights and attractions, but it has two beautiful beaches to the west of the center - Praia Mar And Cuebra Canela.
10 km. to the west of the capital is Ciudad Vella(Old Town) - the first European settlement in the archipelago, famous for its picturesque Portuguese fort of Real da Santo Felipe, hanging over the ocean waters. And to the north of the capital lies Tarrafal- a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of the country, known for its beautiful beaches.
Deserted Island Sal, where the country’s international airport is located, is almost entirely at the disposal of tourists. While waiting for a flight to the capital or to the islands, you will be offered to take a boat excursion to various islands of the archipelago, visit good restaurants with local and Portuguese cuisine, or spend time on the small but cozy beaches of the island.
Mindelo on o. Santo Vincente is the largest city in the country and the only deep-water port of the archipelago. Unlike the capital, it is full of bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Mainly built with colonial architecture with carved balconies and shaded courtyards, it is the tourist capital of the islands.
Santo Antan, lying north of Santo Vincente, is the greenest and most picturesque of the islands of the archipelago. It is the most popular among fans of hiking. Here you can also take a mini-safari in jeeps or bicycles along the green hills of the island and admire its quaint landscape, and then relax on the beaches of the east coast.
The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but only the Fogo volcano (2829 m) on the island of the same name is active (29 eruptions have occurred since the mid-16th century, the last in 1995). The islands of Santiago, Sao Vicente and Sao Nicolo also have mountainous terrain. The islands of the eastern group - Mayu, Boavista and Sal - are distinguished by low altitudes. Generally, natural vegetation is better preserved in the valleys in the interior of the islands.
The phrase Cape Verde Island exudes romance and adventure. Cape Verde sounds more prosaic, although this is the name of the state located on the archipelago of these islands. But the image of an unusual place, full of mysteries and secrets, still remains.
And although pirates no longer storm local forts, and valiant sailors do not sail from ports towards discoveries, Cape Verde will not disappoint you.
Cape Verde Islands on the map of the world and Africa
The Cape Verde Islands are archipelago, consisting of 10 large and 8 small islands, and located in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Large islands are divided into two groups - Leeward and Windward.
Now the Cape Verde Islands attract everyone who wants to take a break from civilization in pristine nature and solitude.
And compared to a trip to Southeast Asia or, a holiday in Cape Verde will remain a small adventure that will be the envy of friends and acquaintances.
Where are they located?
The Cape Verde Islands are located in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, approximately 570 kilometers off the coast of Africa west of the state of Senegal. Geographically included in the African continent. They got their name thanks to Cape Verde- a peninsula in Senegal, located at the same latitude as the archipelago.
Climate
Climate of the Cape Verde Islands - dry tropical with hot, warm winters and low precipitation - from 100 to 300 mm per year. The average temperature is 22-24 degrees, in summer - 26-29 degrees above zero. The sun almost always shines on the islands; only in August-October does the short rainy season begin. Cape Verde is characterized by constant moderate winds.
The temperature of sea water is almost identical to the air temperature and depends on the time of year.
How to get there?
You can get to Cape Verde only. There are no direct flights from, but you can fly with a transfer in Lisbon, Madrid, Frankfurt am Main or.
There is a somewhat exotic way to end up in Cape Verde - to get to the capital of Senegal, Dakar, from where there is a service to the islands ferry 1-2 times a month.
When traveling to another continent, be wary of acclimatization. Read all about this disease at.
You can select plane tickets using this convenient search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date, number of passengers.
Where to stay?
Any inhabited island of Cape Verde is quite suitable for a holiday. Even in a remote village you can find one or two hotels or a boarding house; in extreme cases, you can rent an apartment. For the convenience of your vacation, you can stay in a city that is large by local standards, and visit remote islands on excursions.
- Sal Island- the main tourist center of the country. The island has an international airport that receives flights from European countries. The main feature of Sal is the almost complete absence of vegetation - the entire surface is covered with white sand and rocks. At the same time, the beaches of Sal are the best in Cape Verde. Sal got its name from the salt deposits mined on the island.
- The capital of country Praia, located on the island of Santiago, has a lot of hotels and hotel complexes. There are two beautiful beaches near the city. In addition, Praia is a transport hub, from where it is convenient to make trips and day excursions to the rest of the islands.
- Boavista is the third largest island in the archipelago. It is especially attractive to fans of surfing and diving.
- City of Mindelo on the island of Santo Vicente attracts lovers of active nightlife. Tourists will also be impressed by the cozy beaches overlooking the rugged mountains.
Information about the state
Until 1986, the name of the state was translated into Russian as the Cape Verde Islands, after which the local government decided that the Portuguese name was a geographical name and did not require translation into other languages. Since then we know the name of this state as Cape Verde.
Story
The islands remained uninhabited until some of them were discovered in 1456 by a Venetian Luigi Cadamosto. The rest were first visited in 1460 by Portuguese explorers Diogo Gomes and António de Noli. In 1462, the island of Santiago received the first Portuguese settlers, and in 1496 the Cape Verde Islands became an official colony of the kingdom.
Since the 16th century, for 300 years, the Cape Verde Islands were a transshipment base for the delivery of slaves from Africa to the colonies of the New World.
After slavery was banned in 1876, population growth was fueled by incoming workers from Portugal's other African colonies. In 1973, the Portuguese overseas province of Cape Verde became independent.
Population
Cape Verde's population is over 500 thousand people, of which 70% are mulattoes of European-African origin, the rest belong to the Negroid race. The official language of the country is Portuguese, 90% of the population is Catholic.
Visa information
For citizens, a visa is issued during passport control at local airports. Validity period is 30 days, cost - 25 euros.
Customs
In Cape Verde it is carried out free import and export currency, art treasures, jewelry, cigarettes and alcohol. A veterinary certificate is required to import pets.
Transport
You can move around a separate island using minibuses or taxis. If you wish, you can rent a car and move around the island in it. When moving between islands, you will have to use local airlines, which operate daily flights to each island. There are also ferry crossings, but they do not operate on all islands.
Currency
Local currency - Cape Verdian escudo, pegged to the euro. The exchange rate is approximately 110 escudos per euro, the ruble exchange rate is approximately 60 kopecks per 1 escudo.
National cuisine
The national cuisine of Cape Verde is famous for its seafood and seafood dishes. The main national dish of the country is cachupa, which is prepared according to a “rich” or “poor” recipe. This dish can consist of many ingredients: fish, all types of meat, olive oil, beans, corn and many different vegetables. The more ingredients, the better the recipe.
Holidays in Cape Verde - photos
Tourism is main source of income Cape Verde.
The main advantage of local resorts is the clean ocean, pristine nature and complete separation from civilization.
And all this subject to compliance European level of service.
What to see?
Cape Verde does not boast an abundance of historical and architectural attractions. The most interesting thing here is nature.
- You should definitely visit Fogo Island and relax on the local black volcanic sand beach. Here you can conquer the current Fogo volcano, which last erupted not so long ago - in 2014.
- Extinct Topu de Coroa volcano on the island of Santo Antan will impress with its rugged beauty and lunar landscapes.
- Quite interesting salt developments of Pedra Vincent Lume on the island of Sal, located in the crater of an extinct volcano. On the territory of the complex you can swim in colorful salt lakes or mud puddles.
- Here on the island of Sal there is a 25-meter natural pool with ocean water, located next to Burakona volcanic cave. The vaults of the cave reach 10 meters, and the cave itself is nicknamed “blue” because of the sunlight reflected by its bottom.
Beaches
Cape Verde has many convenient and, importantly, deserted beaches on different islands. Their length can reach several tens of kilometers. All beaches on the Cape Verde Islands are sandy. Best beaches in popular places:
- Beach Santa Maria in the city of the same name on the island of Sal;
- Beach Santa Monica on the island of Boavista;
- Beaches Praya Prainha And Cuebra Canella in the capital of Cape Verde, Praia;
- Beach Tarrafal on the island of Santiago.
It should also be noted volcanic beaches of black sand on Fogo Island.
Entertainment
There is not much entertainment on the Cape Verde Islands; after all, this place requires solitude and relaxation from civilization. But you won’t be able to die of boredom either. In addition to the mandatory excursions and diving, you can:
- Visit February carnival, taking place in Praia and Mindelo;
- Join the local musical culture at monthly festivals in Praia, Mindelo and Fogo Island;
- Get busy windsurfing;
- Fly on hang gliding in the mountains of the island of Santo Antan;
- Practice "volcanic snowboarding" on the slopes of the volcano on Fogo Island.
Shopping
It is worth noting that in Cape Verde it is common siesta, so during the day from 12 to 15 o'clock shops are closed. As a souvenir, you can buy products and figurines made of clay, straw, coconut or wood, which are sold in abundance by local residents.
You can visit the fish market and buy gifts from the ocean; there are plenty of types of seafood here.
Diving
Cape Verde Islands - perfect place for diving enthusiasts. Divers are attracted here by the diversity and unusualness of the underwater fauna, numerous coral reefs, sunken ships and the opportunity to dive into caves. The water in the ocean is very clean, visibility is 30-40 meters.
Perfect dive time starts at and continues until . The most suitable places for diving:
- Island Boavista;
- Sal;
- Island Santiago.
The Republic of Cape Verde (Republic of the Cape Verde Islands) is a West African state located on islands (10 large and 8 small) in the Atlantic Ocean (620 km from the coast of Africa). The archipelago is conventionally divided into the Leeward (Sotaventa) and Windward (Barlaventa) groups.
The terrain is predominantly hilly. The highest point is Fogo Volcano (2829 m).
Total area – 4033 sq. km, the population is more than 524,000 people, of which 70% are Creoles, 28% are Africans, 1% are Europeans. 89% of the total population profess the Catholic religion, 3% are Protestants, 5% adhere to African beliefs, 2% are Muslims, 2% are Jehovah's Witnesses. The official language is Portuguese, the regional or local official language is Cape Verdean.
The capital is the city of Praia (Santiago Island).
Cities of Cape Verde
The Leeward group includes the islands: Santiago, Brava, Fogo, Mayu.
One of the most beautiful islands of Cape Verde is the island of Santiago, where the capital is located - the city of Praia. It has unique nature and comfortable weather conditions, and next to Praia is the first European building - the Fortress of St. Philip.
Brava Island has a second name – “island of flowers”, which is quite true. It is also the smallest island in the archipelago.
Fogo is an island - a volcano, dating back to 1460. The most popular souvenir from here is lava products.
Maiu Island is the calmest among all the others. But the ancient dormant volcano is located on this island.
The Windward group includes the islands: Santo Antau, San Vicente, San Nicolau, Santa Lucia (uninhabited), Sal, Boavista.
Ribeira Grande is the capital of the island of Santo Antau. The famous craters of the Cova volcanoes are located here.
The island of San Vincente was glorified by the singer Cesaria Evora, who was born here. The capital is the city of Mindelo, known for the best carnivals and festivals.
San Nicolau is a small island covered with mountains. The capital is the city of Ribeira Brava.
Sal is the most popular island of the archipelago with a well-developed infrastructure. This wonderful place is chosen by divers (visibility is up to 40 meters) and surfers.
The island of Boavista and its capital, the city of Sal Rei, are popular among tourists. The island has magnificent nature - deserts, oases, dunes, beaches. Active types of recreation are not alien to the guests of this beautiful place - jeep safaris and desert motocrosses, diving, surfing.
How to get to Cape Verde
There are no direct flights between Belarus and Cape Verde.
The best option would be to fly on the route Minsk - Sal with two connections (for example, in Amsterdam and Lisbon) with Belavia airlines. Travel time is from 17.5 hours (excluding connections), the cost of a round-trip ticket is from $2,281 per person.
Climate of Cape Verde
The territory of Cape Verde is influenced by a tropical trade wind climate.
The average summer (September – October) air temperature is +26 degrees, winter (January – February) - +22 degrees. The water temperature throughout the year ranges from +21 to +26 degrees.
The average annual precipitation is 100 mm – 300 mm.
The best time to travel around the country is from October to August.
Cape Verde Hotels
The hotel base of Cape Verde is at a fairly high level, although it does not have hotels belonging to world-famous chains.
Meals, as a rule, are all-inclusive; there is animation for children and adults, diving schools, dive equipment rental offices, and swimming pools with both sea and fresh water. This type of accommodation will cost 80 – 100 euros per day.
As an alternative to hotels, you can rent a cottage or villa on the coast, a room in a private boarding house (25 - 50 euros per day), rent an apartment (250 - 300 euros for 2 weeks).
Beaches of Cabo Verde
The beaches of Cabo Verde are sandy, the sea is clean, transparent, warm. Beach equipment is provided free of charge. The beaches of this region are distinguished by a small number of people on them, so you are guaranteed a calm, measured holiday here.
Quite good beaches are located in the suburbs of Praia - Praia - Mar and Cuebra - Canela.
The most picturesque beach on Brava island is near the port.
On the island of Fogo, a large number of people come to the beaches of Nossa Senora and Salt Lake.
The island of Maio is famous for its white sandy beaches - Bitche Rotsha, Ponta Preta, Santana, Tartarugas, Cais, Galeao, Real.
The best beach on the island of Santo is Antau - Praia - Formosa.
Magnificent beaches surrounded by dunes are located on the uninhabited island of Santa Lucia. Divers also love to come here.
Windsurfing competitions take place on the island of Sal on Punta Preta beach.
Boavista Island is famous for the beaches of Santa Monica and Curralinho.
Banks, money, exchange offices
The currency of Cape Verde is the escudo, equal to 100 centavos. There are paper bills in circulation in denominations of 100,200,500,1000,2500 escudos and coins in denominations of 1,5,10,20,50,100 escudos. Euros are also accepted for payments almost everywhere.
Banking hours:
On weekdays – from 9.00 to 17.00
Some - on Saturdays - until 12.00
You can exchange currency and traveler's checks (preferably in euros) in banks (the most favorable rate), in specialized exchange offices, at the airport and in hotels. There is no return exchange.
Credit cards from the world's major payment systems (sometimes only Visa) are accepted for payments only in large restaurants and hotels in Praia. It is impossible to pay for travel with checks.
Tips in the country are 10% of the bill unless a service charge is included in the check.
Tourist safety
Cape Verde is a safe country for travel, and following basic rules will protect you and your loved ones from minor and major troubles:
- It is advisable to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe
- In crowded places, it is recommended to monitor personal belongings and not leave them unattended
- It is not recommended to walk alone at night in deserted areas
- When swimming you should be extremely careful - there are sharks in coastal waters
Transport
Domestic flights are provided between the main islands of Santiago, Boavista, Sal, São Nicolau, Santo Antan and São Vicente by Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde. Ticket price is 40 – 80 US dollars one way.
You can also get from one island to another by ferry or boat.
Bus services connect the main island cities with smaller ones quite well. Ticket price is about 1 euro. Minibuses depart as soon as they are filled with passengers.
On small islands you can only get around by taxi. The cost of the trip is about 8 – 10 euros. You can rent a car for the whole day. The rental price must be agreed upon in advance.
In order to rent a car, you will need:
- International driver's license (age – from 21 years, driving experience – from 1 year)
- Credit card
Rental cost is from 40 euros per day. Traffic is on the right.
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
The main attractions of the city of Praia are the Presidential Palace, Albuquerque Square, and the Diogo Gomes Monument. The old town of Ciudad Vella (the first European settlement of the islands) is under the auspices of UNESCO. You can learn more about the history of the country by visiting the local Ethnographic Museum. Santiago Island is a great place for diving, but only experienced athletes are allowed to dive here - the underwater depths are fraught with many dangers.
The city of Vila Nova Sintra is the capital of the small island of Brava. There is a beautiful picturesque garden where there is a statue of the musician Eugenio Tavaresa, who made this town famous.
Fogo Island is famous for its volcano, to the crater of which you can go on an excursion. Interesting objects are also the building of the 19th century Parish Church, the House of Memory, and volcanic caves. The island has excellent fishing.
Objects that must be visited on the island of Maiu are: the main square of Vila do Maiu (Port Inglés), the church of Nossa da Luz, the 18th century fort, the lighthouse.
The capital of the island of Santo Antau, the city of Ribeira Grande, is famous primarily for its 19th-century colonial architecture, as well as for its landscapes and the opportunity to go trekking, diving, windsurfing and even hang gliding.
The city of Mindelo is, first of all, a unique nature, the same colonial architecture and nightclub life. Other activities include windsurfing, cycling, horse riding and golf.
The main mystery and attraction of the island of Sao Nicolau is the Rotcha Scribida rock, the ancient writings of which have not yet been deciphered. Among the entertainment options, sport fishing, trekking, and boat trips are very popular.
On the island of Boavista, historical attractions include the 19th century Church of St. Roch, a ceramic factory, and lighthouses with stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most important events in the Cape Verde Islands is the February Carnival - one of the best in Africa, annually bringing guests to Praia and Mindelo.
Cuisine and restaurants
The national cuisine of Cape Verde is, first of all, fish and seafood: sea bass, sawfish, tuna, octopus, lobster, crayfish, as well as all kinds of fruits (oranges, quince, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, papaya, juniper, dates and many others).
You should try some popular dishes:
- their clam soup with spices
- bean and corn stew
- shrimp pre-soaked in wine
- canned shrimp and pork stew
- grilled lobster
- pie with “devil” filling (fresh tuna, onions, tomatoes, wrapped in potato and corn flour dough) – served hot
- bananas in dough
- canned mangoes
Drinks: freshly squeezed juices
Alcohol - beer, various liqueurs and ponche (local drink)
Shopping and shops
Store opening hours:
On weekdays – from 8.00 to 18.00
Supermarkets – until 21.00
Closed - Sunday
As a rule, crafts made from tortoiseshell, bull horn, coconut, clay figurines, straw baskets, ceramics, and carpets are brought as souvenirs from Cape Verde.
Bargaining is quite appropriate.
Customs
You can import and export local and foreign currencies without restrictions.
It is prohibited to import and export:
- Drugs
- Psychotropic substances
- Weapons without special permission
Allowed to import and export:
- Up to 400 cigarettes
- Up to 2 liters of alcohol
- No more than 5 kg of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Food and personal items - in reasonable quantities
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(Ilhas do Cabo Verde)
a country on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the west coast of Africa. Possession of Portugal. It occupies an archipelago consisting of 10 large and 5 small islands, divided into two groups: the northern - the Windward Islands (Barlaventu), and the southern - the Leeward Islands (Sotaventu). The largest islands of the northern group are Santo Antan, Boavista, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Sao Vicente, and the southern ones are Santiago, Fogo, Mayo. Area 4033 km 2. Population 250 thousand people. (1970), predominantly mulatto, descendants of African slaves brought to the islands in the 16th-19th centuries. and subsequently mixed with the Portuguese; about 1/3 of the population are Africans (Balante, Fulbe, Mandjak) from Guinea (Bissau), about 3% are Portuguese. The official language is Portuguese, Creole is widely spoken. The religion of the majority of the population is Catholicism. Formally, since 1951 - so-called. overseas province of Portugal. Executive power is exercised by a governor appointed by the Portuguese government. There is an Advisory Council. Represented by one deputy in the National Assembly of Portugal. The administrative center is the city of Praia (13.1 thousand inhabitants in 1960). Administratively, it is divided into 12 districts. Nature. The islands are young volcanic formations on a submerged Precambrian crystalline basement broken by faults. The shores are mostly steep and rocky, and there are few convenient natural harbors (the most significant is Mindelo Bay on the island of São Vicente). The relief is predominantly mountainous, with numerous volcanic cones, craters and calderas. The highest point is the active Fogo volcano (on Fogo Island, 2829 m).
The climate is tropical, trade wind. Average monthly temperatures range from 22 to 27 °C. Precipitation 100-250 mm in year. The river network is poorly developed. The vegetation is desert and semi-desert. The animal world is poor. Characteristically, there is an absence of mammals (not counting goats, rabbits, rats and some other animals introduced by Europeans). Lots of seabirds. Coastal waters are rich in fish. Historical reference. Z.M.o. discovered by Portuguese expeditions between 1456 and 1460. In 1462, the first Portuguese colonists appeared on the hitherto uninhabited islands. In 1495 Z. M. o. were declared a Portuguese colony. At the end of the 15th-16th centuries. became one of the centers of the slave trade in the Guinea coast of Africa. With the decline of the slave trade (finally banned in 1876), which was the main source of enrichment for the Portuguese colonists, emigration from the Western Mediterranean region became widespread. in the USA and other countries. After World War II (1939-45), Portugal and its NATO allies modernized ports and airfields on the Western Mediterranean. The Portuguese colonialists use the islands as an intermediate base in the war against the national liberation forces in Guinea (See Guinea) (Bissau), Angola and Mozambique. Intensified since the 50s. national liberation movement in Z. M. o. is closely connected with the struggle for independence of the people of the Portuguese colony of Guinea (Bissau). This struggle is led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC; founded in 1956). PAIGC is considering Guinea (Bissau) and Z. M. o. as a whole. It has local party organizations on the islands (they operate underground). Economy. The standard of living of the islands' population is one of the lowest in the world. The land mostly belongs to Portuguese landlords, who rent out plots of land for cultivation to small tenants, sharecroppers. Forced labor is actually used on plantations. In 1960, 40.2% of the economically active population was employed in agriculture, and 51.9% in the service sector. The traditional occupations of the population are farming and fishing. Corn, sweet potatoes, beans, cassava, peas, red peppers, and tomatoes are grown for domestic consumption. Large farms mainly cultivate coffee, bananas, and sugar cane especially for export; to a lesser extent, peanuts, tobacco, castor beans (castor oil is exported), and indigo. Cattle breeding is widespread; in 1969/70 there were (in thousand heads): 16 cattle, 21 goats, 3 sheep, 14 pigs, 7 donkeys. There are enterprises for fish processing (dried, salted and canned are exported), alcohol production (from sugar cane) , soap, vegetable oil and cement. Salt and pozzolans are mined for export. Handicrafts (pottery, basket weaving, etc.) are developed. The length of roads is 1.5 thousand. km. There are 1.7 thousand cars (1968). The main port is Mindelo (on the island of São Vicente), where bunkering is carried out for ships traveling from Europe to South Africa and South America. Large airfield on the island of Sal. About 55% of foreign trade turnover comes from Portugal. The monetary unit is the Cape Verde escudo. Education. More than 1/3 of the population over the age of 10 is illiterate. The education system is similar to the Portuguese one. Training is conducted in Portuguese. Primary school is 4 years old, secondary school (lyceum) is 7 years old (2+3+2 years of study). More than 30% of schools belong to Catholic missions. The vast majority of students are children of Europeans and mulattoes; There are very few African children. In the 1968/69 academic year, there were 19,680 students in primary schools, and over 2 thousand students in secondary schools. Vocational training is poorly developed and is carried out on the basis of primary school for 2-4 years. In the 1968/69 academic year, there were 494 people in 1 vocational educational institution. There are no higher educational institutions. Literature develops in Portuguese and Creole. A rich oral literature has developed in the local Creole language, formed as a result of the mixing of the Portuguese language and the languages of Africans - immigrants from the Guinean coast of Africa. The most popular are mornes - one of the forms of folk poetry and songwriting, small, almost always sad songs about love, separation, and a passionate desire to escape from the islands. This topic in the literature of Z. M. o. has become traditional. The authors of the morn are E. Tavares (died 1936), P. Cardoso. The themes underlying oral poetry also became central to the work of the first professional writers. Jorge Barbosa (b. 1902) - one of the organizers of the cultural, educational and literary magazine “Claridade” (“Claridade”, 1936-38, 1947) and “Certeza” (“Certeza”, 1944-45, 1947-49). The novels by O. Alcántara (pseudonym of Baltazar Lopes) “Chicinho” (1947) and M. Lopes “Scourged by the East Wind” (1960) appeared, in which social motives were also touched upon, and the theme of social inequality was voiced for the first time. A. Fonseca (b. 1922) denounces the Portuguese “colonial paradise” in his poems. The poets G. Mariano (b. 1928), O. Martins (b. 1928), Jorge Pedro Barbosa (son of Jorge Barbosa; b. 1933) and others write in Portuguese and Creole; they showed the commonality of life and culture of the inhabitants of Z. M. o. and continental African populations. The poet Kabwerdiano Dambara writes only in Creole, glorifying the people's struggle for independence. L. V. Nekrasova. Lit.: Silva de J., Portuguese Colonies in Africa, trans. from Portuguese, M., 1962; Khazanov A. M., Policy of Portugal in Africa and Asia, M., 1967; Contemporary history of Africa, 2nd ed., M., 1968; Lannoy Ch. de et Linden N. van der, Histoire de I "expansion coloniale de peuples européens, t. 1. Portugal et Espagne, Brux., 1907; Poems of African poets, M., 1958; Through the eyes of the heart, M, 1961 [Poems], "Foreign Literature", 1959, No. 5; Osório de Oliveira J., Poesia de Cabo Verde, Lisboa, 1954; Figueiredo J., Modernos poetas cabo-verdianos. Antologia imprensa nacional, Cabo Verde, Praia, 1961; Silveira O., Consciencialização na literatura Cabo Verdeana, Lisboa, 1963.
- - ...
Geographical encyclopedia
- - see Republic of Cape Verde....
- - Cape Verde Islands, state on the Cape Verde Islands, in the Atlantic. approx., near the Western coast. Africa. Pl. 4.1. km2. Us. 310 t.h. The capital is Praia, on the island. Santiago...
Demographic Encyclopedic Dictionary
- - west-northwest or east-southeast storm winds, caused by the combined action of the cape effect of wind amplification and orography during the movement of cyclones along the northern borders of the continent...
Dictionary of winds
- - CAPE VERD ISLANDS in the Atlantic approx. - near the Western coast. Africa; see Art. Cape Verde...
- - islands, Atlantic Ocean near the west. coast of Africa; State of Cape Verde. Portugues are open. seafarers in 1455-1462. and named for their location at the latitude of Cape Verde in Africa...
Geographical encyclopedia
- - branch of the Transverse Current of the South Pacific Ocean, deviating at 50° south latitude. off South America to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and encircling America from the south...
Marine dictionary
- - in the Atlantic Ocean, to the west. coast of Africa, 560 km west from the west cape, between 14° 45" - 17° 30" north. lat. and 22° 30" - 25° 10" w. duty. . Discovered in 1456 by the Portuguese Cadamosto. Belongs to Portugal...
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Euphron
- - , a national revolutionary party founded in September 1956 in Guinea. The majority of party members are peasants, a small number are urban workers and revolutionary intelligentsia...
- - a country on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the west coast of Africa. Possession of Portugal...
Great Soviet Encyclopedia
- - lowering of the bottom at the border of the Atlantic and Indian oceans; see Agulhas...
Great Soviet Encyclopedia
- - Agulhas Current, a warm current in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is formed when the waters of the Mozambique and Madagascar currents merge...
Great Soviet Encyclopedia
- - see Cape Verde...
Large encyclopedic dictionary
- - surface warm current in the Indian region, off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is formed when the waters of the Mozambique and Madagascar currents merge. OK. 38o south w. goes deep...
Large encyclopedic dictionary
- - Zharg. they say Joking. About the Bounty chocolate bar. Maksimov, 188...
Large dictionary of Russian sayings
- - noun, number of synonyms: 1 archipelago...
Synonym dictionary
"Cape Verde Island" in books
CHAPTER 5 Departure from Gibraltar with the help of an English tug. “Spray” changes course and heads, not through the Suez Canal, but towards Cape Horn. I'm being chased by a Moroccan pirate. Comparison with Columbus. Canary Islands. Cape Verde. Sea life. Nailed in Pernambuco (Recife). Abacus, with brazi
From the book Alone Sailing Around the World [with illustrations] by Slocum JoshuaCHAPTER TWO Voyage from Madera to the Cape Verde Islands and thence to the Cape of Good Hope
author Forster GeorgCHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Second stop at the Cape of Good Hope - Sailing from there to St. Helena and Ascension Island
From the book Travel Around the World author Forster GeorgV. From the Cape of Good Hope to the Island of Java
From the book Frigate "Pallada" author Goncharov Ivan AlexandrovichV. From the Cape of Good Hope to the Island of Java Storm. - Holy week. – Thirty days on the Indian Ocean. - It's hot. - Tornado. - Angers raid. – Evening in Java. - Chinese and Malays. From the Cape of Good Hope it was planned to go in a great circle: descend to 38° south
Chapter I. Santiago in the Cape Verde Archipelago (Bahia in Brazil)
From the book Voyage Around the World on the Beagle by Darwin CharlesFrom Lisbon to Cape Verde Islands
From the book Travel to India by Gama Vasco yesFrom Lisbon to the Cape Verde Islands We left Reshtela on July 8, 1497. May the Lord our God allow us to complete this journey to his glory. Amen! The following Saturday the Canary Islands appeared. At night, we passed the island of Lanzarote on the leeward side.
Chapter 7 NIGHT BATTLE OFF THE CAPE VERD ISLANDS
From the book Pocket Battleship. "Admiral Scheer" in the Atlantic by Brenneke JohanChapter 7 NIGHT BATTLE OFF THE CAPE VREEN ISLANDS “Scheer” followed a new course directly to the east. The armored sides of the pocket battleship, hurrying towards its target, vibrated. The powerful bow of the ship cut through the deep blue sea, illuminated by the sun in a perfectly clear sky. The day passed
Heroes of the green island
From the author's bookHeroes of the Green Island 1Green Island. Old trees with eroded rhizomes. Rare blackthorn and sverbius bushes. Tarred bottoms of longboats. White and blue kiosks on the beach sand. Rocky road with telegraph poles. And the Don is a river glorified in songs. Early
Sailors from the Victoria, captured by the Portuguese in the Cape Verde Islands and released five months later
From the book Magellan's Voyage author Pigafetta AntonioSailors from the Victoria, captured by the Portuguese on the Cape Verde Islands and released five months later 1. Maestro Pedro. Recruited in Tenerife. Supernumerary member of the expedition (“Santiago”).2. Richard de Fodis from Normandy. A carpenter. "Santiago". Was a witness in
Chapter I SANTIAGO IN THE CAPE VERDE ARCHIPELAGO (BAHIA IN BRAZIL)
From the book A Naturalist's Voyage Around the World on the Beagle by Darwin CharlesChapter I SANTIAGO IN THE CAPE VERDE ARCHIPELAGO (BAHIA IN BRAZIL) Porto Praia Ribeira Grande Atmospheric dust with ciliates Habits of the sea snail and octopus Rocks of St. Paul - non-volcanic origin Peculiar inlays Insects - the first settlers on
Chapter five. THE SECRET OF CAPE GREEN
From the book Commanders of the Polar Seas author Cherkashin Nikolay AndreevichChapter five. THE SECRET OF CAPE GREEN Arkhangelsk. 1937 An investigator from the regional department of the NKVD interrogated a gloomy, lean sailor with a black and gray beard. The stripes on the sleeves of his tunic were worn out, but the cap, which the defendant was crumpling in his hands, was still decorated
Chapter 24. Santiago Island. Port of Spry. Cape Verde Islands, also known as Cape Verde
From the book Frigate "Pallada". A view from the 21st century author Citizen Valery ArkadevichChapter 24. Santiago Island. Port of Spry. Cape Verde Islands, aka Cape Verde “Out of the yard!” – The watchman’s voice was stuck in the tropical stuffiness. The sailors left the yards and shrouds without any daring: when will they have a chance to visit this godly island again! So even him
Conquest of the "green island"
From the book Geographical Discoveries author Khvorostukhina Svetlana AlexandrovnaConquering the “green island” Greenland has long attracted the attention of residents of neighboring islands and the mainland, as well as travelers. One of the brightest events of 1887 was the expedition to the ice island, led by Fridtjof Nansen, a former laboratory assistant at the Bergen Museum.
