Many islands, a single state. The republic of Cape Verde is comprised of the ten islands that form the archipelago, about 500 km to the west of Senegal and about 1,000 km south of the Canary Islands. The Creole population is prevalently Christian and there is a good level of education. The languages spoken are Portuguese (the official language) and Creole, idioms similar to Spanish and Italian. The efficient national healthcare system and lack of tropical diseases mean that no vaccinations or anti-malaria treatments are required to visit or live in Cape Verde.
Ilha do Sal. The island is named after the salt which, in the past, was extracted from the salt lagoon known as "Pedra de Lume" where today, in this large and fascinating crater in an old extinct volcano, it is still possible to take healthy baths, "floating" on the salt waters of the lagoon. Sal, with a population of just 14,000 is an island covering some 220 km2, with lunar landscapes and golden sands surrounded by an unspoilt sea. The most important towns are Espargos and Santa Maria. A well-organised port, situated in the gulf of Palmeira, a small fishing village, is used by merchant ships and pleasure craft alike. Sal's international airport has flights to and from Europe's main cities (Lisbon, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Rome, London, Manchester, etc.) as well as the main airports in Northern Italy (Milan, Bergamo, Verona, Venice, and Bologna).
Climate and nature. The archipelago enjoys a beautifully clear, emerald green sea with temperatures ranging from 22° and 26°C all year round. Every island has its own characteristics, which vary from lunar landscapes with unspoilt dunes and beaches, to luxurious green vegetation, or both, for splendidly suggestive colours, all set in a clear friendly sea..
> Click here to see webcam pictures of Santa Maria (Sal Island),
and Mindelo (São Vicente)
Music is the Island's soul. In musical terms too, Cape Verde is a continuous mix of Africa and Europe. In fact, you can recognise the sustained rhythms of African drums in its Funanà and while you will find the deep, gentle melodies of Europe in Morna, whose greatest representative at world level is Césaria Evora. These are by far the most common types of music in the archipelago and you will not fail to hear them during your stay.
Sport. The sea is one of the world's most prolific in terms of fish and so you should not miss out on the opportunity to go out tuna fishing with the local fishermen. The area is also ideal for anglers and rock fishing enthusiasts, while for lovers of deep-sea fishing, this area is famous for its Blue Marlin catches. It is also considered to be an excellent destination for divers and thanks to the trade winds, it is also perfect for surfing. As well as sailing boats, multitudes of Kite boarders whirl through the air, creating a party atmosphere with their many colours. The sportier among you will have many occasions to hire quad and motorbikes and it is also possible to hire cars for visits to the various areas of the island in complete comfort.
Typical Cuisine. Of course, Cape Verdean cuisine is based on fish, but you should not miss the occasion to sample the typical "Cachupa" (a stew of maize and beans with meat or fish) and goat's cheese that, with local goat's meat, can satisfy any taste buds. There are also many restaurants offering excellent European cuisine. Wines, with the exception of that grown on the island of Fogo, are mainly imported from Europe, as are mineral water and beer, even if the locally produced varieties are of excellent quality.
