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Cape Verde (Cape Verde Islands) on the map

Cape Verde - (the second name - the Cape Verde Islands is the translation of Cape Verde from Portuguese into Russian) an archipelago state located in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands of Cape Verde are located south of the Tropic of Cancer at 15 degrees from the equator.

In the Atlantic Ocean, the islands are at a very large distance from each other. The distance from Cape Verde to the Canary Islands is 1600 km, to Saint Helena 3975 km. To the nearest Caribbean 4000 km. And only to the nearest African coast is only 560 km. The Cape Verde archipelago lies opposite the coast of Senegal.

The islands are conditionally divided into "leeward" ones: Brava, Mayu. Santiago, Fogo and small islands (Branco, Grande, Du Rei, Luis Carneiro, Razo, Santa Maria, Zapado, Sima); and "windward": Boavista, Sal, Santo Antoine, San Vicente, Santa Luzia, San Nicolau.

Visa to Cape Verde

The Cape Verde Islands are completely occupied by the republic of the same name. To enter its territory, Russians require a visa, which can be obtained upon arrival at the airport of Sal Island or Sanyago Island (). Prudent travelers can take care of a visa in advance, it can be done at the Cape Verdean consulate in Moscow. Sometimes there are misunderstandings with airlines whose employees begin to require a visa upon landing. Sometimes this happens with German companies, Portuguese airlines are usually aware of the visa regime.

How to get to Cape Verde

The main tourist islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are:

Sal Island Amilcar Cabral International Airport (IATA code SID) main city of Santa Maria
Santiago Island, where the capital Praia is located and, accordingly, Praia Airport International Airport. (IATA RAI code)
Boa Vista Island
San Vincente Island - São Pedro Airport, (VXE) and the city of Mindelo
Santa Antau Island - there is no airport on the island, you have to fly to Mindelo, and then get about 50 minutes by ferry

There are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde. The main options for flights through Lisbon, the Portuguese company TAP, through Madrid, the Spanish a/k Iberia. You can fly via Paris, Casablanca (Morocco) and via Las Palmas airport on canary islands. Also via Dakar (Senegal) - but in 2014, due to Ebola, such a flight is not recommended.

Cape Verde Map

The archipelago got its name in honor of the Cape Verde peninsula, opposite which it is located. Cape Verde was discovered by the Portuguese. This peninsula differed significantly from the desert coast of northwest Africa in its lush vegetation and was indeed green. Today, the entire tip of Cape Verde is occupied by the largest port and the capital of Senegal - Dakar.

Cape Verde is an archipelago of volcanic origin. With the exception of the island of Brava, all the local islands are basalt rocks covered with modest vegetation. That is why the Cape Verde archipelago is more like a piece of the lunar surface than a tropical paradise.

Tourists in Cape Verde are attracted by its remoteness from civilization and the availability of high-quality European-level service. This country is also extremely popular with diving and surfing enthusiasts.

The underwater world of the islands is extremely rich in both living creatures and the remains of sunken ships. A geographical position Cape Verde is ideal for hunting big waves. The best surfing and diving spots in the Cape Verde Islands are Sal, Boavista and St. Vincent.

The archipelago is also famous for its excellent conditions for sport fishing; in 2000, 6 world records were set here for the size and weight of the fish caught.

And yet, visiting Cape Verde you can look at the whales or at the local carnival - the most colorful in Africa.

Capital of Cape Verde Praia

The main and, perhaps, the only historical attraction of Cape Verde is Cidadi Velha. Cidadi Velha is the ruins of the first Portuguese settlement in the tropics, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cidadi Velha is located on the island of Santiago near the capital of the republic - the city of Praia.

History of Cape Verde

The Cape Verde Islands were known to Pliny the Elder. The famous ancient Roman scientist called them Gorgadas and believed that Medusa Gorgon, who was killed by Perseus, lived here.
Until 1456, the Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited, and the Knights Templar became its first settlers. They were invited here by the Portuguese Infante Enrique the Navigator, who was a member of the Order. It was his captains who rediscovered the islands.
Since 1462, active colonization of Cape Verde began, the archipelago became an outpost of the Portuguese in the tropics. The French, Spaniards, Genoese and Jews expelled from Portugal were drawn here. However, a hundred years later, most of the population of Cape Verde were blacks and mulattoes - the descendants of slaves, in huge numbers brought to the archipelago for subsequent resale.
After the slave trade was banned, the Cape Verdean economy collapsed. The colony was saved only by its advantageous position on the way from Europe to America. refueling transatlantic liners and replenishing their stocks, the people of Cape Verde provided themselves with a livelihood.
In 1930, the inhabitants of Cape Verde received privileges from the metropolis, and in 1953 the archipelago, together with neighboring Guinea-Bissau, acquired the status overseas territory. At the same time, Amilcar Cabral, a native of Cape Verde, began the national liberation struggle in Guinea-Bissau. He intended to create a single independent state from this territory and the Cape Verde Islands. The population of Cape Verde practically did not participate in the liberation struggle, but nevertheless gained independence in 1975, without becoming part of Guinea-Bissau.

Even 500 years ago, Cape Verde was perceived as a synonym for the slave trade, famine, exile, and extinction.

But what is Cape Verde anyway? A country? Rather, it's an idea. An archipelago of highly varied islands - sand hills, trade-winded areas, bizarre volcanic formations.

The largest city countries, he is the capital - the city of Praia. The form of government is a presidential republic.

The archipelago is distinguished by a mild climate, practically unchanged average annual temperature, which stays at around 25 degrees Celsius all year round, and low rainfall. Moreover, each of the islands is unique in nature and landscape.

Cape Verde is located at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and America, 620 km. off the west coast of Africa. And the city of Ribeira Grande for 150 years has played a terrible and brilliant role in world trade.

The first to discover this group of islands at the latitude of modern Senegal during the expedition sent for new discoveries to the West African shores were ships under the Portuguese flags. Who landed on the archipelago in 1446 under the command of Diogo Gomes and Diogo Afonso. On south island Santiago, at the spurs of a vast valley, they found perfect place for a pier, water and the complete absence of human souls that could interfere with future settlement. This was enough for the first European capital south of the sands Sahara. A brilliant decision from a geopolitical point of view, which also at the end of the 15th century contributed to the picture of world change.

Today, only a single pillar in front of the calm port reminds of the slaves who were brought here from the West African coast and reloaded onto other ships for further travel to a distant continent. But some of them remained on the islands.

And they remained as workers on the plantations of Ribeira Grande, as "girlfriends" for the Portuguese soldiers and officials stationed here. And thanks to this state of affairs, in the midst of the struggle European countries for trafficking in people, gold, coffee and sugar cane arose completely new culture: Creole, the product of a fusion of black Africans and white Portuguese. The first Creole community.

Ribeira Grande in the 18th century, after a series of unceremonious pirate attacks, lost its key importance, turning into Cidadi Velha, " Old city". Only one fort remained, which was unable to protect people, the ruins of the once majestic cathedral, as well as poverty and hunger. But the Creole culture survived, in language, in music, in people. Their struggle for survival scattered them to other islands, across Europe and around the world.So Cape Verde was the beginning of a long journey, the birthplace of a unique Creole music.

Today, Cape Verde is a unitary state. Main cities: Praia, Mindelo, Sao Filipe. Head of State and Commander-in-Chief armed forces is the president, who is elected for a five-year term in a general election by direct suffrage. The highest body of legislative power is the National Assembly. Here people feel like full-fledged members of society, regardless of their financial situation. Maybe that's why their carnivals are so colorful.

Today, Cape Verde is the beach, surfing and sodade - music for the soul, these are perhaps the main associations that arise in relation to the islands of Cape Verde. Sun 350 days a year, temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees. And it sounds like heaven.

It is probably not for nothing that the capital of Cape Verde is called Praia, which means beach in Portuguese.

Video: Cape Verde

CAPE VERDE
Republic of Cape Verde, a state on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. The archipelago consists of 10 relatively large and 15 small islands and rocks. Depending on the position in relation to the prevailing winds, two groups are distinguished - Windward and Leeward islands. In the first group, the largest islands are Santo Antan, Sao Vicente, San Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, and in the second - Mayu, Santiago and Fogo. total area archipelago - 4033 sq. km. Population 476 thousand people (1998). On largest island Santiago (992 sq. km) is the capital city of Praia.

Cape Verde. The capital is Praia. Population - 476 thousand people (1998). The population density is 118 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population- 50%, rural - 50%. Area - 4033 sq. km. The highest point is Fogo volcano (2829 m). The main languages are Portuguese (official), Creole. The main religion is Catholicism. Administrative-territorial division - 14 districts. Currency unit: escudo = 100 centavos. National holiday: Independence Day - July 5th. National anthem: "Sun, sweat, greenery and sea"

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Nature. The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but only the volcano Fogu (2829 m) on the island of the same name is active (29 eruptions have occurred since the middle of the 16th century, the last in 1951). The islands of Santiago, San Vicente and San Nicola also have a mountainous relief. The islands of the eastern group - Mayu, Boavista and Sal - are distinguished by low heights. As a rule, natural vegetation is better preserved in the valleys in the interior of the islands. The climate is tropical, hot and dry. Average July temperatures are 24-26°C, January 21-23°C. The average annual precipitation is 100-300 mm with a maximum in August - October (the warmest period of the year). Precipitation is rare on the flat islands, in the mountains in some years there are heavy showers and up to 500 mm of moisture "poured out" in one day. Such showers destroy the fertile topsoil. The withering influence is exerted by the harmattan east wind blowing from the Sahara from October to June and bringing a mass of fine dust. The construction of stone terraces and dams that retain water in the mountains allows the development of efficient irrigation systems. In addition, the network of artesian wells is expanding. The vegetation of the islands is sparse. On the northern slopes of the mountains there are solitary low evergreen trees of bombardeira, the succulent leaves of which are used in folk medicine. Pine, acacia, eucalyptus, cypress trees grow in the mountains on the islands of Santo Antan and Santiago, and near springs fresh water coconut and date palms. The flora includes 450 native plant species and 150 introduced ones. The latter include some tree species such as the coffee tree, sugar cane, different types vegetable, fruit and grain crops. Domestic animals of the islands are imported from Portugal. Coastal waters are rich in fish (tuna, mullet, mackerel, etc.). There are sharks, sea turtles and lobsters. In the 1970s, soil erosion problems worsened in Cape Verde as a result of intensive farming practices. In order to protect the top fertile soil layer and retain groundwater reforestation campaigns have been carried out. By the mid-1990s, forests covered approx. 16% of the country's territory.
Population. In 1990, 341.5 thousand people lived in Cape Verde, in 1998 - 476 thousand. Over 70% of the country's inhabitants are mulattoes, people of mixed African-European origin. The rest of the population is predominantly Africans, no more than 1% are Europeans. Natural resources Cape Verde is very poor, and in search of a better life, many residents of the country emigrated to the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal and countries West Africa. The most massive emigration took place in the 1970s (10-18 thousand people a year). It is estimated that approximately 700,000 natives of Cape Verde live abroad. The most populated is the island of Santiago (175 thousand inhabitants). Each of the 9 inhabited islands can be compared to a miniature racial melting pot with its own cultural characteristics and local dialects resulting from the mixing of Portuguese and various African languages. 98% of the population are Catholics. Thanks to government efforts to combat illiteracy, by the mid-1990s, 72% of the population could read and write. Creole is the most widely spoken language official language is Portuguese. The capital of Cape Verde - Praia (61.7 thousand inhabitants) is located on the island of Santiago. Amilcar-Cabral Airport on the island of Sal receives transatlantic airliners. In 1998, the construction of the international airport in Praia was completed. Small boats and planes of the local airline provide communication between the islands.
Political system. After gaining independence in 1975, a radical one-party regime was established in Cape Verde, which lasted until 1990. Under pressure from the opposition, the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAIKV) in 1990 was forced to create a multi-party democratic system. The Movement for Democracy (MPD) took shape in the country. The first free parliamentary elections held in January 1991 ended in victory for the MTD. In the presidential elections held a month later, the party's candidate, António Mascarenhas, defeated PAIKV candidate Aristide Pereira. The new constitution, adopted on September 25, 1992, marked the beginning of the "Second Republic" with a new national flag and the national anthem. The president and 72 deputies of the unicameral parliament, the National Assembly, are directly elected for a five-year term. The deputies of the assembly elect the prime minister, who submits the composition of the cabinet of ministers for approval by the president. Councils of local executive bodies are also elected in general elections for a five-year term. In the early 1990s, the MPD government made the transition to a market economy and provided conditions for foreign investment. In December 1995, the MTD again won the parliamentary elections, and in the uncontested elections in February 1996, A. Mascarenhas was re-elected to the presidency.
Economy. In 1994, the country's GDP was $343 million, or $900 per person. Given low prices, the latter figure can be considered equivalent to $1,040. In the early 1990s, the average annual economic growth rate was approx. 4 %. In the mid-1990s, approx. 40% of the working population. The share of these industries in GDP was only slightly more than 20% of GDP. The country is forced to import most of the necessary food, although the islands grow corn, legumes, sweet potatoes and sugar cane. The most important commercial products are fish and seafood, bananas, coffee and peanuts. Industry is underdeveloped. In 1994, it accounted for 6.5% of GDP and 5% of employees. The main industries are the production of canned fish, the extraction of table salt, tailoring, ship repair, and the processing of agricultural products. In 1993, the government decided to create free zones in which investors were exempted from paying customs duties and taxes on exported goods and services. The Cape Verde Islands are located on trade and transport routes in the Atlantic Ocean. Ports and airfields of the country are transit centers for servicing foreign ships and aircraft. For a long time, the Amilcar-Cabral airport on the island of Sal was a transit point for communication between South Africa and New York. In the 1990s, European and Latin American airlines began to use this airport for cargo transportation. Every year, the volume of maritime traffic through the ports of Praia and Mindelo, modernized in the 1990s, is increasing. Great climate, sandy beaches and amazing Mountain landscape The islands attract a flow of foreign tourists to Cape Verde (10,000 in 1995). In 1997, the amount of external debt reached almost 200 million dollars, and 26% of annual export earnings are spent to cover it. Significant funds come in the form of remittances from Cape Verdean natives working abroad. In 1990, this source provided 20% of GDP. Assistance from international economic organizations for the development of the country in 1994 amounted to 35% of GDP.
Story. Around 1460, the Cape Verde Islands were discovered Portuguese navigators. From 1581 these islands became the possession of Spain, from 1640 - a colony of Portugal. The Portuguese colonists were engaged in the African slave trade. The islands also served as a place of hard labor for convicted Portuguese. Until 1878, the archipelago and Portuguese Guinea were a single colony. In 1951, this colony was declared an "overseas province" of Portugal. In 1963, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and the Cape Verde Islands (PAIGC) launched a national liberation movement in Portuguese Guinea, which did not spread to the territory of the islands. In 1974, the new government of Portugal, which led the country after the overthrow of the dictatorship of Salazar, recognized PAIGC as the only government in Portuguese Guinea, which was renamed Guinea-Bissau, but this decision did not apply to the Cape Verde Islands. On July 5, 1975, Portugal granted independence to the islands, which have since become known as the Republic of Cape Verde. PAIGC, having received the majority of seats in the National Assembly, included in the new constitution an article on the future unification of Cape Verde with Guinea-Bissau. After the military coup in Guinea-Bissau in 1980, the government of Cape Verde removed all references to the future unification of the countries from the text of the 1981 constitution. In 1981, PAIGC in Cape Verde was renamed the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAIKV), which remained the only legal political organization until 1990, when, under pressure from the opposition, it was forced to agree to holding open multi-party elections. In the 1991 elections, the Movement for Democracy (MPD) won the majority of seats in the National Assembly, and Aristide Pereira, who had held the presidency since 1975, was forced to give it to António Mascarenhas. In September 1992, the government introduced a new constitution that established a multi-party system and economic development on the principles of the free market. Early 1990s Special attention The focus was on attracting subsidies from international organizations and foreign investment to the economy, which contributed to the expansion of the industrial sector and the service sector. In the December 1995 parliamentary elections, the MPD retained a majority of the seats in the National Assembly. A month later, the leader of the party, A. Mascarenyash, was re-elected to the post of president. In 1996 Cape Verde became one of the founders of the Community of Portuguese Speaking States.
LITERATURE
Grigorovich A.A., Gribanov V.V. Cape Verde. M., 1988

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

See what "CAPE VERDE" is in other dictionaries:

Republic of Cape Verde, state in the Atlantic Ocean, on the islands of Cape Verde, near the west. coast of Africa. The state was proclaimed in 1975 and received the name of the Republic of the Cape Verde Island or, in short, the Cape Verde Island according to its location ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia

The Republic of Cape Verde (Republica de Cabo Verde), a state on the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of the West. Africa. 4 thousand km². population 350 thousand people (1993); mulattos 62%, Africans (fulbe, balante, manja) 35%. Urban population 30%… … Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Exist., Number of synonyms: 1 country (281) ASIS Synonym Dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

Not to be confused with Cape Verde. Republic of Cape Verde República de Cabo Verde, Kabu Verdi ... Wikipedia

Coordinates: 15°55′ s. sh. 24°05′ W / 15.916667° N sh. 24.083333° W etc. ... Wikipedia

Cape Verde- National coat of arms and flag of Cape Verde. Cape Verde, Republic of Cape Verde (Republica de Cabo Verde). General information. K. V. a state in the Atlantic Ocean, on the Cape Verde Islands. The area is 4 thousand km2. Population 328 thousand people (1985) ... Encyclopedic reference book "Africa"

Cape Verde is a small (only 4 times larger than Moscow) island nation in the Atlantic Ocean, 600 km from Africa at the latitude of Senegal, known for Secretary General Amilcar Cabral, singer Cesaria Evora and the fact that the adventures of the timber carrier Arctic Sea ended near it. Previously, Cape Verde in Russian was called the Cape Verde Islands.

Santiago Island: the city of Praia

Praia is the capital of Cape Verde and is located on the island of Santiago. Few tourists get to Praia: the main stream travels by charter to the "ollinkus" on the island of Sal (Sal), independent travelers aiming mainly at the islands of Fogo (Fogo) with a two-kilometer volcano, the historical San Vicente (São Vicente), the green Santo Antão (Santo Antão) and the surfer islands of Boavista (Boavista) and again Sal.

But Praya is cool. It stands on compact mesas, has a colonial center without any frills and sleeping areas built up with indistinct 2-3-story private houses made of unplastered foam blocks. The area of the plateau with the city center is called Plateau.

Praia and Cape Verde are immediately striking in that the digital divide is defeated there. The Internet does not work humanly anywhere except for the international airports of Praia and the island of Sal, and before that everyone is equal: a white man who paid 6 euros for an hour of Internet in a hotel, and a free user on the "digital square" in the center of Praia. However, the farther from Praia, the worse the Internet.

I don’t understand how these wonderful people have whole laptops: I would have smashed mine on the second day of such an Internet.

I think that it is very comfortable to be the president of a banana republic in such a palace, especially since the orange revolution does not threaten with such an Internet.

I would say that the city is melting from the heat, but this is clearly not the case. In Cape Verde all year round +19-29°С. Well, +30°C in the sun. Although soldiers in uniform are feigning misfortune.

In the city, many young people (and not so much) wear rastaman colors, but no one offers anything like that. And thank God, otherwise in Lisbon he was tired of fighting back.

On the occasion of Saturday, the capital of the republic is not crowded.

Gamboa Beach is a sandy beach in the heart of the city, between the Plateau and the Prainha area.

Basic moments

Diving, yachting, windsurfing, kite surfing and sport fishing are popular on the tropical islands. Travelers who come to Cape Verde for outdoor activities prefer to stay in hotels at diving centers and surfing stations, or rent cottages on the seashore.

About 540 thousand people live on the archipelago. More than 70% of local residents are mulattoes, a quarter of the citizens of Cape Verde are Africans, and the rest of the inhabitants are immigrants from different countries Europe. Portuguese, Creole and African languages are spoken here. Thanks to immigrants from the western regions of Africa, French is widely spoken among the islanders. It is believed that about 80% of the population are Catholics, while the rest adhere to local beliefs.

A famous singer, Cesaria Evora, was born in Cape Verde. The barefoot diva became famous all over the world for performing original Creole songs to the accompaniment of the ukulele, piano, accordion, clarinet and violin. In 2012, the airport on the island of San Vicente was named after the talented singer who won the hearts of music lovers in different corners planets.

The whole life of the tropical archipelago is connected with the ocean, and tourism forms the basis of the economy of Cape Verde. The development of tourism infrastructure is sponsored by local and foreign investors. Especially a lot of money in the development of tourism in this country is invested by entrepreneurs from Austria, Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. Thanks to them, large resort centers offering their guests a full range of necessary services.

History of Cape Verde

The first mention of Cape Verde can be found among Arab travelers and geographers who lived in the XII-XIV centuries. Europeans discovered part of the archipelago in 1456. This happened during the voyage of the Venetian traveler Aloysius Cada-Mosto, who was in the service of the Portuguese. In later years Portuguese sailors visited other islands. In those days, the entire archipelago was covered with vegetation, and there were no people here.

The first European settlements appeared in Cape Verde in 1462. Colonists from Portugal began to explore the Cape Verde Islands from Santiago. The government of the country encouraged the settlers with large plots of land and gave them significant privileges in trade on African coast. In addition to the Portuguese, the islands were inhabited by immigrants from Spain, Genoa and France. And by the end of the 15th century, thousands of Jews arrived here, who left Europe, wanting to avoid the persecution of the Portuguese Inquisition.

The archipelago was located at the crossroads of merchant ships plying between Europe, the New World and Africa, so it quickly turned into one of the centers of the slave trade. Europeans living in Cape Verde undertook several expeditions for "human goods" on the coast of Guinea and in the hinterland of Africa, and slaves were taken out to tobacco and sugar cane plantations located in Brazil. Due to the large influx of Africans, by 1572 the vast majority of the inhabitants of the archipelago were the descendants of black slaves, as well as mulattos, who were born from the ties of African women with Europeans.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, Cape Verde suffered from the consequences of a severe drought. The crop failure was facilitated by the constant cutting down of moist forests and the clearing of fertile soil for pastures. As a result, about 100,000 local residents died during three major droughts. The end of the slave trade came in 1876, the King of Portugal issued a special decree prohibiting slave ownership.

By the end of the 19th century, Cape Verde had become an ideal place to refuel transatlantic ships. The liners moored in Cape Verde received the coal they needed on the islands, drinking water, provisions and livestock.

In 1951, the Cape Verde Islands, along with other possessions, became an overseas province of Portugal. Soon there was a movement for the independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, and in 1974 an agreement was signed in the capital of Portugal recognizing the islands as an independent republic.

Geographic features and climate

The islands lie in the center Atlantic Ocean. About 16% of Cape Verde is rocky, barren highlands that resemble lifeless "lunar" landscapes. Several volcanoes are concentrated here. The largest of them - Fogu - rises to a height of 2829 m.

The islands have rocky, precipitous coasts, and there are few places convenient for mooring ships. The largest of the harbors - Porto Grande - is located on the island of Sao Vicente. A natural bay formed in the crater of a submerged volcano. Today, it is surrounded by the second largest city in the country - Mindelo.

Cape Verde has a dry tropical climate. Average annual temperature air on the Cape Verde Islands is +25 °C. The coldest months are January and February, while the hottest months are July and August. Depending on the season, the temperature of ocean water ranges from +21 °С to +26 °С.

It rains a little - only 100-300 mm per year. True, during the rainy season, which lasts from August to October, heavy rains can pass in the mountains, which can cause great damage to the upper fertile soil layer.

On the islands of Cape Verde, winds blow all year round, and thanks to them, the tropical heat is much easier to bear. From mid-autumn to early summer, the east trade wind from the Sahara, which is called "harmattan", prevails. It is very dry and often brings fine dust to the islands.

Islands of Cape Verde

The archipelago consists of 10 large and 5 small islands, divided into "leeward" and "windward" groups. The "windward" group includes Santo Antao, San Vicente, San Nicolau, the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia, Sal (Sal) and Boavista (Boa Vista) . In the "lee" - Santiago (Santiago), Brava (Brava), Fogo (Fogo) and Maio (Maio).

Sal

The most flat of all the islands of the archipelago is famous for its excellent conditions for diving and surfing. The island is of volcanic origin and emerged from the ocean about 50 million years ago. It has a developed tourist infrastructure, so more than half of all travelers who come to Cape Verde prefer to stay here.

Sala is popular for catamaran and sailboat trips along the coast. During such sea voyages tourists can swim, snorkel and fish with a bait. So that travelers can better see the underwater world and sunken ships, they are taken along the coast in boats with a transparent bottom.

While relaxing in Sala, it is interesting to visit the town of Santa Maria and take a bath in the salt pools. Many tourists go on an excursion to the Oásis de Algodoeiro - to the ruins military fortress, built by the Portuguese during the colonization of the island.

Fogo

Fogo Volcano Island is the highest and one of the most colorful places in Cape Verde. On this island, green vineyards sit side by side with lifeless black lava fields, and the coast is framed by beaches that are covered in dark colors. volcanic sand. 37 thousand people live on Fogo. locals serve tourists, grow coffee and produce excellent wine.

The area around the active Fogo volcano has been declared a nature reserve. In the volcanic caldera there is a small village of Shan das Caldeiras, where 1.2 thousand people live. In this village there is a parish church of the 19th century and a small museum "House of Memory".

São Filipe, the third largest city in Cape Verde, has a lot of colorful houses that contrast sharply with the surrounding mountain slopes. Interestingly, almost all the buildings and churches of this city are built from volcanic tuff.

Brava

Brava is the smallest among the other islands of Cape Verde, due to the variety of rare flowering plants, it is often called the "Island of Flowers". It is located in the western part of the archipelago, 20 km from Fogo. Even geologically, the island of Brava is a continuation of Fogu. The depth of the sea in the channel that separates the two islands is several hundred meters, while the bottom of the sea around the rest of the island is about 4000 meters deep. To the north of Brava lie two small deserted islands. Tourism is not developed here, due to the steep coastline, which does not allow you to enjoy a good rest on the beaches of the island.

Santiago

Most big Island The archipelago has an area of 991 km². It lives on most of The population of Cape Verde is over 284 thousand people. Santiago hosted the government of the republic, foreign embassies and international organizations. For rich vegetation and an abundance of tropical fruits, the island is often called the "bread basket" of Cape Verde.

Travelers come to Santiago for the sake of the beautiful natural park, where baobabs and dragon trees grow, which are over 400 years old. The protected area is located near the city of Assamada.

Of great interest is the capital of the island of Praia - the city, which was founded in the XV century. Old squares, monuments and presidential palace built in the 19th century. Many guests of the city make an excursion to the local ethnographic museum.

10 km west of the island capital is located historical monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the fortress of San Filipe, which was built at the end of the 16th century to protect the coast from pirates.

San Vicente

The picturesque island stretches for 24 km and reaches a width of 16 km. San Vicente has a relatively flat terrain. The highest point of the island rises to 774 m above sea level. On San Vicente, the National Craft Center has been opened, where they support the traditions of local weaving and making handicrafts from shells and stones.

The capital of the island of Mindelo is the second largest city in the republic. Its neighborhoods grew up on the shores of a natural harbor formed on the edge of the crater of a submerged volcano. Mindelo has the largest number of nightclubs in Cape Verde. In addition, the brightest and liveliest carnivals are held here. During the August full moon, the city welcomes the colorful Bahia das Gatas festival, and in September, the Mindelact theatrical festival.

Boavista

Translated from Portuguese name"Boavista" means " beautiful view". It is the third largest island in Cape Verde and has about 9,000 inhabitants. Getting to Boavista is easy. From Sal, fast boats reach the island in an hour, and by plane they get here even faster - in just 15 minutes.

The island of Boavista is known for its excellent beaches and picturesque dunes, which alternate with green oases. date palms. For these features, it is often called the island of the dunes. In recent years, off-road, motorcycle and ATV safaris have become a popular pastime in the Viana desert and the huge Santa Monica beach, covered with fine white sand. The size of this beach strip is impressive - it stretches for 40 km.

San Nicolau

In the northern part of the archipelago is an island that has long had the status of the cultural capital of Cape Verde. In 1936, an original literary movement was born here, and until 1960 the popular magazine Claridade was published.

The island is covered with mountains. It has a sufficient amount of fresh water, so agriculture and livestock breeding have developed here. A local attraction is the Rotcha Sribidada rock, where ancient, yet undeciphered writings have been preserved. According to legend, the petroglyphs on the rock were left by people who visited the island before it was colonized by the Portuguese. San Nicolau began to be settled in the 17th century, and many buildings and churches of the 18th-19th centuries have been preserved in its villages.

Santo Antan

The second largest island of Cape Verde covers an area of 779 km². In the city of Ribeira Grande, the capital of Santo Antana, you can see many buildings from the colonial period. Here is the oldest lighthouse in the archipelago, which was built in 1886.

Travelers come to Santo Antan to trek along the mountain ranges and fly on hang gliders. And the valleys overgrown with tropical vegetation are popular with lovers of cycling.

Mayu

Maio is a quiet secluded island located in the extreme eastern part of the Cape Verde group of islands, at a distance of 25 km from Santiago Island. This is the oldest island of the archipelago, which stretches for 24 km in length and 16 km in width. In addition, Mayu is an ancient dormant volcano that has not woken up for several thousand years. The island is famous for its white sandy beaches and azure blue sea, but most of the beaches are far from the main roads and can only be reached by off-road vehicles or on foot.

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia is the only uninhabited island in Cape Verde. It is 5 km wide and 13 km long. There is little vegetation on the island of Santa Lucia, but tourists come here for the sake of clean beaches and dunes. highest point on an island 395 m above sea level, this is Monte Grande.

The lack of water made it impossible to settle the island with permanent residents, despite this, since the 19th century, fishermen and shepherds have lived here - only about 20 people. It is known that back in 1960 a family of shepherds lived here. However, since 1990, the state declared the island absolutely uninhabited and assigned it the status of a reserve.

Diving

The most popular outdoor activity in Cape Verde is diving. best time for diving, the period from mid-spring to late autumn is considered, when almost all interesting underwater objects are available.

The underwater world of Cape Verde is famous for its diversity. Tunas, moray eels, barracudas, manta rays, eels, lobsters and groupers live in clear and warm ocean water. Here you can find ballfish, goldfish, schools of king mackerel, bonito and groupers.

Dives are made to a depth of 6 to 30 m, while the visibility under water is from 30 to 40 m. Few places on the planet have such excellent conditions for underwater travel! It should be noted that there is not that abundance and beauty for which divers go to Egypt. But compared to the Red Sea, around Cape Verde you can more often see large inhabitants of the underwater world - large green turtles, three-meter rays, flocks of frolicking dolphins and even whales.

In addition to colorful fish, crabs, lobsters and octopuses, off the coast of Cape Verde there are picturesque reefs, underwater caves, rocks, grottoes and sunken ships. Many shipwrecks lie on the ocean floor near the islands of Santiago and Mayu. This sea vessels built in the XV-XVIII centuries. Near Sal and Boavista, old ships are at an accessible depth of 12-28 m.

Sala, Santo Antana, Sao Vicente and Santiago have large diving centers that offer a full range of services - from beginner training to equipment rental. Many divers choose to stay on this island because there are more than three dozen interesting dive sites around it. Sala's most popular sites are the Blue Room, the Palmiera site, the Ponta do Farol reef, the Buracona cave, as well as three sites where wrecks lie at depths of 9 to 12 m.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing

Fans of riding the waves under a strong wind have mastered the tropical archipelago for a long time. Suffice it to say that in Cape Verde, the world champion in windsurfing in the freestyle discipline, the famous Josh Agulo, was born.

Cape Verde is always warm, but never too hot. The water in the ocean has a comfortable temperature all year round. The wind season lasts from September to May. But the best period is from December to April, when the average wind speed reaches 10 m/s. In summer, the wind speed drops to 7 m/s, and sometimes there are weeks of complete calm.

Surfing conditions are favorable throughout the archipelago, as a steady breeze from the Atlantic Ocean does not bypass any of the islands. There are 6 surf centers on Sala. Other islands also have surf clubs. They have modern equipment, train beginners, organize competitions and have their own rescue services.

Most riders come to Sal. The most popular spot of this island is Ponta Prete. When the swell comes from the western side, the most high waves. This spot has a lot of rocks, so it is chosen by experienced windsurfers who are able to control the situation better than beginners.

The water area of the town of Santa Maria is very popular for skiing. The coastal embankment of the island capital has the shape of a horseshoe, and in its center the water is always calm. Beginner surfers feel comfortable here. The edges of the bay, on the contrary, protrude into the open sea, forming a zone of hard wave skating. Half a kilometer from the coast, powerful waves from the ocean prevail, the height of which often reaches 5 m. In the east of the town there is a surf station where Josh Agulo himself works.

Near Santa Maria there is an uncomplicated Albatros spot. A side wind blows on it, thanks to which waves that are easy to ride are formed. However, keep in mind that those who go too far from the coast run the risk of getting into high waves, wind dips and strong currents.

Salinas spot, which is located just a few minutes drive from the town of Santa Maria, is considered an ideal place for kitesurfers on Sala. This place is ideal for beginners due to the wide beach, lack of strong coastal currents and coral reef. The winds here are stable and tend to blow from the left side.

Spot Kanoa is also popular among newcomers to Sal. It is located in the southern part of the island, inside the bay of Murdeira. The bay is protected from strong winds, and the waves in it are small and safe. She is announced marine reserve, as humpback whales come here during the mating season.

Kitchen features

Cape Verde loves fish and seafood. Local chefs cook great sawfish, tuna and sea bass. In small taverns and restaurants, you can always order dishes from delicious lobsters, barnacles and octopuses.

The most popular among the inhabitants of Cape Verde is considered "kachupa". It is made from pork or other meat, beans, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, corn and pumpkin. It is noteworthy that each island has its own recipe for this hearty meal. If it uses several types of meat, the islanders call "kachupu" rich.

In Cape Verde, rice with a seafood cocktail and meat soup with shrimp are excellent. Almost all travelers like "jagasida" - a dish of stewed pork and beans with cornmeal dressing. It is also worth trying a local delicacy - bochada sausage, which is made from the blood and stomach of young lambs and served with rice. In different places in Cape Verde, they sell island fast food - fried "devil pies", which are stuffed with tuna meat, ripe tomatoes and onions.

Almost all local desserts are made from tropical fruits. Banana muffins, honey cassava biscuits, and delicate quark puddings with a bright papaya or mango flavor are available in many cafes.

Cape Verde has its own winemaking traditions. Since the end of the 19th century, delicious Calderas wine has been produced on the island of Fogo. The vines were brought here by the French Count of Montro. Local vineyards are small and are watered by hand. The island wine is exported and supplied to the European Union. The best quality is considered to be young wine, the age of which has not yet reached one year. Interestingly, due to the mineral-rich volcanic soil and warm tropical climate, it is 2 degrees stronger than ordinary European wine.

While vacationing in Cape Verde, you should try the local cane grog, which the islanders emphasize with various fruit flavors. It is customary to drink a low-alcohol drink hot and use it for making cocktails. The grog produced on the island of Santo Antan received the greatest recognition. Like Fogo wine, it is also exported.

Transport

The most common type public transport in Cape Verde are "aluguer" - minibuses that run without a clear schedule. They depart from the final destinations when there are no empty seats in the cabin.

Tourists often use taxis. If you plan to order a car for a full day, you need to agree on the price of the trip with the driver in advance.

From island to island, various transport runs. The outlying islands of Cape Verde are connected by planes, while the nearby islands are connected by ferries and speedboats.

Visa

To travel to Cape Verde, residents of Russia need to obtain a visa. This can be done in Moscow at the consulate of that country. For registration, you need to present a passport, an application form, a color photo 35 by 45 mm, a hotel reservation (or an invitation from friends or relatives), as well as paid round-trip tickets or a ticket reservation.

Documents can be submitted to the consulate in person or by proxy, and not necessarily notarized. Tourist visas in Cape Verde, they are issued for six months. They are single, multiple, group (for group members of 5 people) and family (for a parent with a child). Documents are made within 3 days. Reside by tourist visa in the country is allowed at a time for 30 days.

There is another option for obtaining a visa. It can be issued upon arrival at the airport on the island of Sal. Such a visa is cheaper, but for its issuance, in addition to the usual package of documents, you need to provide a special permit obtained from the consulate of the republic. For those who want to use this option, you need to keep in mind that some airlines serve only those passengers who have a pre-arranged visa permit.

Currency, tips and customs features

The country is paying local currency– Cape Verdean escudo (CVE). It is recommended to exchange money in banks, because in exchange offices at airports, the exchange rate is not very favorable. Bank branches are open in weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00. Some banks may also work on Saturdays until 12.00.

The country does not do a reverse exchange, so tourists are not advised to change all the money at once. Not everywhere in Cape Verde you can pay with a credit card. Cash is preferred here.

If tips are not included in the bill, it is customary in restaurants to leave 10% of the order. In other places, the issue of tips and their amount is decided by the tourists themselves.

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the country, and there is no need to declare any amount. Duty-free allowed to import up to 2 liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes. Imported plants are subject to special control. From Cape Verde, you can take out up to 5 kg of vegetables and fruits, as well as products and things necessary for personal use.

Souvenirs

The most common souvenirs that travelers bring back from Cape Verde are expressive figurines of animals and people, as well as African masks carved from ebony. They are traded by the inhabitants of Senegal, and you can buy such crafts everywhere. The main thing - do not forget to bargain! In addition, souvenirs made from coconut shells, bull horns and tortoise shells, straw mats, hats made from raffia palm leaves, ceramic figurines and dishes, as well as carpet paths and lamps are popular with tourists.

The islands sell beautiful jewelry made from coral and pearls. These are beads, earrings, bracelets and silver jewelry inlaid with pieces of coral and individual pearls.

Almost all shops are open from 8.00 to 18.00, except Sunday. Large supermarkets are usually open until 21.00.

Where to stay

Cape Verde presents a rare combination wildlife and excellent hotel service. There are almost no branded hotels here, but there are many hotels built on a grand scale. Large resort complexes offer their guests cozy rooms, restaurants, bars, cafes, golf courses and children's playgrounds. Most hotels have pools with both fresh and salt water. The all-inclusive system is ubiquitous.

On some islands of Cape Verde, you can rent cottages located far from populated cities and towns, right on the ocean. This option is chosen by lovers of secluded relaxation. Own hotels also have diving and surfing centers.

Tourist infrastructure has been created throughout the archipelago, but most travelers prefer to rent accommodation in Santiago, Sala, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente and Maio. It should be borne in mind that not all hotel complexes in Cape Verde with 4 and 5 stars correspond to the declared category. Internet access is provided almost everywhere for a separate, fairly high fee.

How to get there

There are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde. Santiago and Sal airports can only be reached with transfers. From Moscow planes fly to the islands via Lisbon, Madrid, Paris and Frankfurt. The flight, excluding transfer time, takes approximately 9 hours.