Cape Verde Islands: photos, videos, attractions, where the country of Cape Verde is located on the world map. School encyclopedia Cape Verde in Africa

If you are tired of civilization and want an exciting unity with nature, then you should definitely visit the sunny African region called Cape Verde. The highlight of this country can be considered the fabulously beautiful coastal waters.

Cape Verde on the world map

The country called Cape Verde, also called the Republic of Cape Verde, is located in the West African region and occupies the territory of several islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
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The closest to the state is at a distance of 620 kilometers. The archipelago to which the Cape Verde Islands belong consists of ten large islands and eight small islets. The island possessions of Cape Verde are located west of Senegal.
There are Windward and Leeward groups of islands. The brightest representatives of the first group are called Mayu, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. The second includes island lands called Sal, San Vicente, Boavista, San Nicolau and others. Cape Verde occupies a relatively small area of ​​land, numbering only 4 thousand square kilometers, where more than 500 thousand people live.

Cape Verde

The largest city in the republic is its capital, Praia. Local residents are fluent in Portuguese, since even before 1975 the country was under the protection of Portugal. However, in addition to Portuguese, the status of the official language also belongs to the traditional Cape Verdean. The republic is headed by the president (currently Jorge Carlos Fonseca).
The relief of Cape Verde is quite hilly. About an eighth of the country lies in the dry rubble uplands. In appearance, such a surface can hardly be compared with anything else. Locals nicknamed the area the “moonscape.” A characteristic feature of the topography of Cape Verde can be considered powerful volcanic activity. The entire territory of the republic is covered with high volcanoes. Most of them have been sleeping peacefully for a long time, but some still make themselves felt, occasionally throwing down flames and flaming lava. The coast is striped with huge rocks, which descend in sharp slopes to the sea.
There are practically no quiet and cozy harbors here, but it is worth noting the area called Mindelo, which is a former crater of a dormant volcano. The length of the coastline is about 965 kilometers. The altitude maximum of Cape Verde is 2829 meters and is called Fogo. Currently, this peak is an active volcano. Its last eruption occurred in November 2014. The lowest point of the republic is considered to be the level of the Atlantic Ocean.
The location of the Cape Verde archipelago contributes to powerful seismic activity, which manifests itself not only in volcanic eruptions, but also in frequent earthquakes. The residents of Brava Island suffer the most from this problem. The remaining parts can boast of greater geological stability. The local population actively mines minerals, but mineral springs with healing properties are much more popular.
The flora of Cape Verde cannot boast of pronounced diversity. It is represented mainly by herbaceous species and low shrubs that can grow on desert lands. Only in the mountainous areas can you see several species of trees, and the valleys are dotted with almonds and palm trees. tourism can be considered the island of Brava. It was nicknamed the “island of flowers” ​​for its marvelous, lush vegetation. The population uses wells and special wells as sources of fresh water, but desalination plants are no less in demand.
The fauna boasts an abundance of birds. Flamingos, parrots, seagulls, quails and many other colorful species of birds live here. Of the mammals, there are especially many representatives of the cat family, as well as domestic animals that the settlers brought with them. The coastal areas are rich in fish and a variety of marine life, including whales, which very often swim to the edge of the Cape Verde Islands.
Not so long ago, there were permanent rivers on the Cape Verde Islands, but active deforestation led to their complete disappearance. Small freshwater streams are temporary and appear only after the end of the rainy season. That is why the modern government of the republic is actively involved in environmental protection. Work is underway aimed at reforesting.

National flag of Cape Verde

The main national symbol of the Republic of Cape Verde is represented by a bright blue cloth, which depicts three equal stripes in the horizontal direction. The central place belongs to a blood-red ribbon, framed by two snow-white lines. Closer to the flagpole there is a symbolic circle of ten golden stars with five corners. This circle occupies approximately a quarter of the entire width of the flag.

Sights and holidays in Cape Verde

Contrary to the expectations of lovers of hot African countries, the island territories of Cape Verde cannot boast of impeccable nature and endless azure beaches. However, this does not mean at all that there is nothing interesting in this region from a tourist point of view.
Caba Verde is a country of contrasts, combining the emerald blue of the ocean and rocky shores scorched by the blazing sun. You will not be able to find another equally charming region anywhere else on the planet. Interestingly, the main treasures of the republic are hidden from view, as they are hidden under tons of ocean water. Experienced divers and connoisseurs of active sea sports simply love to relax here. In the ocean you can enjoy watching reefs of marvelous corals and numerous ocean inhabitants. In addition, the ocean depths hide real labyrinths, consisting of underwater caves and long tunnels interconnected to form huge labyrinths.
When the period of migration begins, the islands are filled with life in the literal sense of the word. Here you can see not only colorful schools of fish that sport fishermen hunt for, but also entire pods of giant whales.
Tourists always linger in the capital of Cape Verde, called Praia. In this city you can hardly find cultural and architectural attractions, but it is distinguished from the general background by the amazing sandy beaches called Cuebra Canela and Praia Mar, which are perhaps the only areas on the coast suitable for a beach holiday.
A town called Ciudad Vella is located just a few kilometers from the capital and is famous for its beautiful fort, which literally towers over the raging waters of the ocean. The place called Real da Santo Felipe is definitely worthy of your attention. Another luxurious beach area can be called Tarrafal.
If you want to go on a boat trip, then you definitely need to visit the island called Sal. It is on this land that there is an international airport and a developed infrastructure, which has always been popular with tourists.
The island of Santo Vincente is famous for youth recreation, as it has a lot of bars, nightclubs and restaurants. You definitely won't be bored here. Colonial architecture and unique nature create a truly indescribable atmosphere here.
Hiking is best done on an island called Santo Antan. It is covered with a colorful carpet of abundant green vegetation. Tourists love to explore the local bizarre landscapes with the help of mountain bikes or huge SUVs.
There are a lot of hotel complexes in Cape Verde and they all fully comply with high quality standards. Local vacationers know well what “all inclusive” is. The hotels are equipped with swimming pools, restaurant complexes and luxury apartments. After visiting the Cape Verde Islands, you should definitely stop by the colorful souvenir shops to buy a couple of creative crafts made from turtle shells, clay and ceramic figurines.
Cape Verde is sure to win your heart. Here you should definitely go on an underwater excursion and watch the majestic whales.

The Republic of Cape Verde is located on the islands of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean. An archipelago of 10 large and 8 smaller islands is located 620 kilometers off the west coast of Africa. The distance between the islands is 100-150 kilometers. Conventionally, they are divided into 2 groups: “leeward” (Sotaventu) and “windward” (Barlaventu). The first includes the islands Sao Vicente, Santo Antau, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boavista and a desert island Santa Lucia. The "windward" group of islands includes Brava, Fogo, Santiago And Mayu.

Translated from Portuguese, the name of the country means "Cape Verde". Previously, the country was called that in Russian - Cape Verde, unofficially this name still exists.

Cape Verde is a unique country in the sense that it has preserved pristine nature, which miraculously has not been touched by the rapidly developing tourist infrastructure here. The main thing that travelers come here for is diving (Cape Verde is one of the world's top five most interesting places for diving), windsurfing and sport fishing. And of course, guests of the Cape Verde Islands will not leave indifferent the local carnivals and music festivals (by the way, it was this country that gave the world the inimitable Cesaria Evora). And the sincere hospitality of the Cape Verdians and the peaceful atmosphere of a paradise lost in the ocean will leave an indelible mark on the soul.

Capital	Praia
Population	523,568 people
Population density	129.8 people/km²
	Portuguese, Cape Verdean
Religion	Catholicism (up to 80% of the population), traditional beliefs
Form of government	presidential republic
	Cape Verdean escudo
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The Cape Verde archipelago is dominated by a subtropical dry climate. True, compared to the countries of continental Africa, which are located in the same climatic zone, Cape Verde is generally cooler and the temperature differences between day and night are less pronounced.

It is coolest in January - February. The average January temperature is +22 °C, but in the mountains it can be significantly lower.

The cold Canary Current also makes its own adjustments to the temperature regime. Its waters never warm higher +20 °C and therefore cool the air both over the ocean and over the islands. Only in July does the current shift north, giving way to the warm Guinea Current, due to which the temperature of coastal waters rises to +24…+28 degrees.

It should be noted that weather conditions are also greatly influenced by northeast winds, which deliver dry, cool air to the islands. From October to June, dry and hot “harmattan” winds blow from the Sahara from October to June for several hours a day, bringing with them heat and fine Saharan dust. It hangs in the air for a long time, forming "dusty fog".

But in August, the archipelago is blown by southern and southwestern winds, which bring rain. The air becomes clean and cool, although in the mountains it is drier than on the coast. During the day the air temperature can rise to +36 °C, and at night does not fall lower +18…+20 °C.

The best time to travel to Cape Verde is considered to be from August to October, when warm, pleasant weather guarantees a comfortable stay.

The Cape Verde archipelago is of volcanic origin, but today there is only one active volcano left - Fogo, which is the highest point of the country (2829 m). Mountainous terrain is also characteristic of the islands of São Vicente, Santiago and São Nicolo.

Approximately 16% of Cape Verde's territory is the so-called "lunar landscape"(dry gravelly uplands), where the vegetation is not diverse. However, the flora of the islands of Santiago, Brava and Santo Antao pleases with a riot of tropical colors. Cypress, eucalyptus, pine and acacia trees grow in the mountains; evergreen bombardeira trees can be seen on the northern slopes of the mountains.

In the valleys of the islands grow baobabs, almonds, date and coconut palms, dragon trees and mangoes. In total, Cape Verde has about 450 species of native plants and about 150 imported from other countries.

The peculiarity of the fauna of Cape Verde is that before the arrival of European colonialists there were no mammals here. Monkeys, rabbits, rats, and many domestic animals were brought to the islands and took root well in local conditions. There are a lot of birds, reptiles, and insects in Cape Verde. The coastal waters are home to sea turtles, spiny lobsters, sharks and numerous species of fish.

Attractions

The main attractions of Cape Verde are of natural origin: each island of the archipelago has its own charm. For example, Santo Antão is known for its picturesque mountain range and the Cova craters. Brava proudly bears the title of the Island of Flowers, and Fogo attracts travelers with an active volcano.

The largest island in Cape Verde is Santiago. The capital of the country is located here, in addition, the island is famous for its picturesque mountains, cliffs and canyons. Of the historical monuments here, the Portuguese fortress is interesting. St. Philip's in the city Cidade Velha(Old city). The monument is unique in that it is the first European building on the archipelago. The walls of the fortress are decorated with ship cannons raised from the ocean floor. The old city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "Europe's first colonial outpost in the tropics."

Fans of archaeological mysteries should visit the picturesque island Sao Nicolau. Here is the famous rock Rotcha Scribida, on which ancient writings are visible. No one has yet been able to decipher them. The most popular version is that they were left by people who visited the island before the Portuguese.

Nutrition

Traditional Cape Verdean cuisine is distinguished by an abundance of delicious seafood and fish dishes. The most popular types of fish are sawfish, tuna and sea bass. Also in the local restaurants you will definitely be offered octopus, lobster, barnacles and other seafood delicacies.

On the other hand, the cuisine of the Cape Verde Islands does not ignore meat and game dishes. Vegetables and herbs also play an important role on the Cape Verdean table. And for dessert they usually serve sweets made from tropical fruits.

It is unlikely that you will be able to spend a holiday in Cape Verde without trying the national dish cachupa. This masterpiece of stewing is included in the regular menu of Cape Verdeans, and in recent years, guests of the country have also appreciated it. In large cities, cachupa is, as a rule, a weekend dish, but the further you get from the capital, the more often it appears on the table. Cachupa is prepared, depending on the state of finances, according to "rich" or "poor" recipes The more ingredients, the “richer” the dish is: fish, beef, chicken, pork, bacon, corn, beans, onions, pumpkin, sweet potato, olive oil, and so on. Each island has its own cachupa recipe.

The cost of dinner at a mid-level restaurant varies between $20-40. In general, there are many establishments of different price ranges on the islands. Almost every city has a buffet-type restaurant, where, having paid about $10 for entry, you can try as many local and European delicacies as you like.

Accommodation

There are no problems with accommodation for travelers to Cape Verde. There are so many hotels and apartments here that you can easily find excellent options at attractive prices.

The country's hotel stock is, first of all, resort complexes with excellent infrastructure: restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, golf courses, children's playgrounds. Many hotels operate according to the system all inclusive. Large hotels offer guests diving school services and dive equipment rental.

But be prepared for the fact that not all 4* and 5* hotels offer a level of service that objectively corresponds to the declared category. For example, high-speed Internet access often comes at an additional cost.

The most modern and comfortable hotels are located on the islands of Sal, Santiago, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Mayu. The island of Sal leads in the number of hotels.

There are also small family hotels at quite affordable prices, as well as hotels aimed at surfers and sport fishing enthusiasts. You can rent a modest apartment or an entire villa on the Atlantic coast: it all depends on the desire and wallet of the tourist. Mid-level apartments will cost $20-25 per person per day.

Entertainment and relaxation

Thrill-seekers will love the activities in Cape Verde. "Volcanic Snowboard"(snowboarding from the top of a volcano straight to the black sands) was invented on the island of Fogo, and it has already broken records of popularity among tourists.

You can't come to this country and not go diving. There are many places in Cape Verde where diving guarantees unforgettable emotions: reefs, rocks, grottoes with octopuses, crabs and other marine life, as well as sunken ships always delight adventure lovers. The best dive sites are concentrated around the islands of Sal, Santiago and Boavishita. The optimal time for diving is considered to be from April to November; at other times, some areas are inaccessible for diving. Even if you have never been diving, there are a lot of diving centers on the islands, where beginners are also prepared for diving.

The second most popular type of active recreation is windsurfing. The constant Atlantic breeze in the Cape Verde Islands guarantees windsurfing all year round. The island is most popular among surfers, as there are several surf clubs catering to both beginners and professionals.

The mountains of Santo Antau Island offer ideal conditions for trekking and hang gliding. Hiking and cycling trips can be organized in the valleys.

But if active holidays are not your thing, you can have a great time on the beach in Cape Verde. The beaches here are amazing: huge, clean and uncrowded. Sun loungers are available for free.

It’s worth visiting the colorful festivals here. One of the most colorful - February Carnival, which takes place in Praia and Mindelo.

Purchases

Cape Verde cannot be called a shopaholic's dream, but travelers will certainly enjoy souvenirs made by local craftsmen: clay figurines, African masks, products made from tortoiseshell, coconut or ox horn. Paintings with Cape Verdean motifs are very popular, as are figurines of people and animals made of bone or wood - they are sold everywhere. If you bargain well, you can reduce the price by one and a half to two times.

Local open markets are attractive because, in addition to souvenirs and handicrafts, you can buy fresh fish and seafood there. And, of course, tourists are attracted there by the local flavor, unique only to these islands.

Generally, shops in Cape Verde are open from 08:00 to 18:00, and supermarkets are open until 21:00. On Sunday, almost everywhere is a day off; some stores can be open until 13:00.

Transport

The main transport in Cape Verde for moving from island to island is airplanes. Local airline Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde o operates flights 1-2 times a day to each island. Airfare prices range from $40 to $80 one way. If you plan to fly around the islands a lot, it is reasonable to purchase an Air Pass for $380 for 10 flights, valid for 22 days.

In addition to planes, boats and ferries operate between neighboring islands.

But on land, the cheapest way to travel is by minibus (aluguer): the fare is approximately $1.3. However, be prepared for the fact that the minibuses do not have a clear schedule.

Catching a taxi on the islands is also not a problem. True, the fare will be much higher: $10-12 for a half-hour trip. You can rent a taxi for the whole day, and the price in this case will be negotiable.

Many travelers rent cars. For example, Suzuki Jimny will cost about $70 per day. If you need a larger car (pickup or SUV), get ready to shell out $90-$120.

In general, the roads in Cape Verde are in good condition, but you should not drive if you are not used to mountain roads (which are common on most islands).

Connection

The Internet can be used in all major hotels and business centers in large cities. There are also internet cafes. Paid Cabocom Wi-Fi is also available everywhere (about $20 for 250 MB or $30 for 500 MB).

Cellular communication is provided by a local operator Cabo Verde Telecom, the range adopted in the country GSM 900. Russian tourists can use Thuraya satellite communications (subscribers of MTS and "Megophone"). Of course, you can buy a SIM card on the spot, although its cost is not very attractive - about $30. Calling from pay phones is not very convenient, if only because there are very few of them: they are only available in post offices and airports.

Safety

Cape Verde is a completely safe country for tourists. The government of the archipelago pays special attention to ensuring order, as the country seeks to attract more and more tourists. The main offenses are observed in the capital of Cape Verde, Praia, and on the island of Sao Vicente. The most popular tourist areas (Boavista Island, Sal Island) are calm and safe. In general, travelers should take the usual precautions: do not leave expensive items unattended, do not walk at night in questionable areas, and watch your pockets and bags in crowded places.

The sanitary situation in Cape Verde should also not cause concern. There are no typical African diseases here, and vaccination is not required for entry. However, you need to know that, as in many tropical countries, in the Republic of Cape Verde there is a certain risk of contracting viral and infectious diseases: unusual climatic conditions and nutrition can weaken the body and make it more vulnerable. Be alert and practice good personal hygiene.

Tap water is not suitable for drinking without prior sanitation - it should be boiled. But the best option would be drinking water in plastic bottles.

Business climate

The Cape Verde archipelago offers excellent business opportunities. This is especially true in areas such as transport, import of goods and fishing. A positive aspect is the opportunity to obtain citizenship of the country by investing about $30,000 in the development of your company. Citizenship of Cape Verde gives the right to visa-free entry into West African countries and makes it very easy to obtain a Portuguese visa, which opens the door to EU countries.

Registering a company in Cape Verde is easy. The process takes a little over three weeks. First you need to choose a name and reserve it in the Commercial Register ( Conservatoria do Registro de Firmas e Similares). The investor must provide the registrar with several options for the name of his company along with a detailed description of its objectives. The registration fee is approximately $8. After this, the founder deposits the authorized capital into the bank account, and the company is registered in the commercial register. You will need to pay a registration fee (about $120) and a Chamber of Commerce fee ($12). After registration, the owner receives a municipal license, as well as a license for the type of activity of the enterprise. True, if the company’s activities are not related to the import or export of goods, you will not need the latter. Obtaining licenses is the longest process in starting a business (about eight working days). In addition, you will have to pay the fee again - this time around $370. You can not waste time while a license is issued and register your employees with the Department of Social Protection of the Population, take out insurance against industrial accidents, and register with the Labor Inspectorate. At this point, in essence, the stage of opening a company is completed, and you can calmly go about your business.

Real estate

Real estate in Cape Verde is becoming increasingly attractive among foreign investors. There are several reasons for this: the country’s rapidly developing economy, the boom in the construction of modern comfortable housing, the development of the tourism sector, and, of course, the government’s policy aimed at promoting investment from abroad. Other important advantages are the absence of mineral resources on the archipelago (the land will not be taken away later to develop gold deposits or drill an oil well), low crime rates and laws that do not discriminate between Cape Verdean citizens and foreigners. As they say, maximum advantages with minimum disadvantages.

The downside of buying real estate in Cape Verde, to be very picky, is the presence of taxes and fees when completing the transaction. But they are quite democratic: 3% of the cost of a house or apartment is the real estate tax and approximately the same amount will have to be paid as

notary fee.

As for housing prices, they may seem fantastically low, especially when compared with Moscow ones. It is now quite possible to purchase a one-bedroom apartment 150 meters from the sea for $90,000-100,000, and this will be modern housing as part of a condominium with excellent infrastructure. Prices for small villas with sea views start from $70,000-80,000. However, analysts predict that this situation in the Cape Verde Islands real estate market will not last long, and investors who want to get the maximum benefit from their investment should hurry up.

If you plan to dive in Cape Verde, remember that you will need insurance to cover the risks of diving, insurance to cover the risks of repatriation in the event of death, and a medical certificate that gives permission to dive.

In expensive restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of 10% of the bill. In small establishments, tips are usually left at the discretion of the client, but are sometimes included in the bill as a separate item.

As for customs regulations, any currency can be imported and exported without restrictions, and there is no need to fill out a declaration. The import of weapons is prohibited unless there is a special permit. You can import no more than 5 kg of fresh vegetables and fruits duty free.

Visa information

Tourists from Russia need a visa to enter Cape Verde. It can be issued either at the honorary consulate of Cape Verde in Moscow or at the airport of the island Sal upon arrival.

Depending on the purpose of the visit and length of stay, there are several types of visas to enter Cape Verde: short-term (type C), transit (type A and B) and national (type D). Most often, travelers require visas of the first type, which, in turn, are tourist, guest and business. You can apply for both a single and multiple entry visa.

If you decide to apply for a visa at the Cape Verdean consulate in Moscow, you will need the following documents:

• a completed and signed application form;
• a foreign passport with a validity of at least three months;
• 1 color photograph 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• hotel reservation (original or copy);
• air tickets (copy or printout of electronic tickets);
• copies of completed pages of all-Russian and foreign passports.

If you are traveling on a business trip or visiting, you will also need an invitation from a company or individual.

As a rule, visas are issued within 3 working days. You can get a visa in 1 working day, but you will have to pay double the consular fee. By the way, it is equal to $59.16 for a single-entry individual visa and is paid in Russian rubles at the rate current on the day of payment. Obviously, it is much more convenient to obtain a visa at the airport Sal- in any case, when it comes to a single-entry tourist visa: both the list of documents and the visa fee are smaller. The immigration officer will only need to present your passport and return tickets and pay 25 € for the visa. The only advantage of obtaining a visa at the consulate in advance is that the traveler does not have to prove to border guards at intermediate airports his right to enter the country (there are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde).

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:

1. Beach Santa Maria in the city of the same name on the island of Sal;
2. Beach Santa Monica on the island of Boavista;
3. Beaches Praya Prainha And Cuebra Canella in the capital of Cape Verde, Praia;
4. 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:

1. Island Boavista;
2. Sal;
3. Island Santiago.

(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 Joshua

CHAPTER TWO Voyage from Madera to the Cape Verde Islands and thence to the Cape of Good Hope

author Forster Georg

CHAPTER 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 Georg

V. From the Cape of Good Hope to the Island of Java

From the book Frigate "Pallada" author Goncharov Ivan Alexandrovich

V. 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 Charles

From Lisbon to Cape Verde Islands

From the book Travel to India by Gama Vasco yes

From 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 Johan

Chapter 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 book

Heroes 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 Antonio

Sailors 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 Charles

Chapter 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 Andreevich

Chapter 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 Arkadevich

Chapter 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 Alexandrovna

Conquering 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.

African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (AF) by the author TSB

Cape Verde Island

From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (ZE) by the author TSB

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

Santiago Island: Praia City

Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, it is located on the island of Santiago. Few tourists come to Praia: the main flow goes on charters to the “all-inclusive” resorts on the island of Sal, independent travelers mainly aim at the Fogo Islands with a two-kilometer volcano, the historical São Vicente, and the green Santo Antan ( Santo Antão) and the surfer islands of Boavista and, again, Sal.

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

Praia and Cape Verde are immediately striking in that they have overcome the digital divide. The Internet does not work properly anywhere except at the international airports of Praia and the island of Sal, and before that everyone is equal: a white person 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 got entire laptops: I would have broken mine on the second day of such Internet.

I believe that it is very comfortable to be the president of a banana republic in such a palace, especially since with such an Internet there is no threat of an Orange Revolution.

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

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

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

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