Cape Verde is a group of 10 bigger islands and a row of smaller ones in the very middle of equatorial Atlantic that in 1975 became a republic. The nearest mainland, the coast of African Senegal is 500 kilometres far away. Due to the location in the southern trade seas the islands are an ideal place for relaxation at warm sea. The islands are the result of volcanic activity, so many extinct volcanoes and craters that steeply fall into the sea can be found there.

The total area of 4 033 square kilometres can be for its diversity compared to Canary Islands. There are no sources of fresh water. The archipelago is dominated by famous volcano on the island Fogo, high 2 800 meters. The administrative centre of Cape Verde is the city Praia located on the biggest island Santiago. The climate is dry tropical but the temperatures are because of the trade winds very pleasant.

History and People

The islands were discovered and afterwards settled down by the Portuguese in 1460. As a centre of the slave trade, they were often attacked by pirates which led to the construction of the the Duque de Bragança Fort in Sal Rei. In 1951 the islands were proclaimed a Portuguese oversea province but they were given full independency in 1975. The culture is a mixture of African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences. The most of the inhabitants are mulattoes. The official language is Portuguese but the majority of the population speaks Crioulo.

What to do in Cape Verde

For those who like sports it is possible to explore the beaches of Boa Vista on mountain bikes. Also diving is very popular because except of corals can be under the sea level seen also sunk old shipwrecks that are lying on the bottom of the sea.. For those who like animals and a bit of adventure is ideal to make a night trip and go to watch how the turtles lay their eggs. Mosteiros is known for the coffee “café do Fogo” which is grown here and then roasted in Santiago. And how about dancing? The carnival on Sao Vicente is considered being the second biggest and most spectacular carnival in the world, just right after the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Many interesting architectural treasures can be found on the archipelago but the main interest for the tourists will always be presented by the beautiful beaches of various types, some reachable only with jeeps.