At the cross-road of the three continents that border the Atlantic, there is an obligatory stop in the middle of the ocean, the Archipelago of Cabo Verde.
With vast beaches that allow for all types of water sports, impressive mountains, high quality fish, various types of delicious seafood and the melodious beauty of its music (Think of Cesara Evora), the mixture of Africa with Portugal, all distinguish Cape Verde as an exciting tourist destination far away from the madding crowds.
Republic of Cape Verde
The Cape Verde Islands (“Cabo Verde” in Portuguese) are located at 450 km off the coast of the African countries of Senegal and Mauritania. They are a republic and exist of islands and islets, of which you can call 10 larger islands.
The time difference with Continental Europe is 2 hours in winter and 3 hours in the summer. The average flying time from the big airports of Europe is 6 hours or less.
Where politics are, the country is known for its stability and absence of any type of conflict. Because it is strongly influenced by Western culture, the people are mainly Christian and the majority of these are Catholic.
Geography
With a total land area of 4,033 km Cape Verde is one of the five Atlantic Archipelagos of the Macaronésia. The others are Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Savage Isles. Size wise all islands together are slightly larger than the US state of Rhode Island.
Of volcanic origin and positioned between parallels 15 and 17 of the North latitude, Cape Verde is made up of two distinctly different types of islands. Its six inhabited islands, located more to the West, are characterised by their mountainous landscapes (highest point is 2,829 meter), whereas the remaining three are distinguished by their long sandy beaches.
The islands are divided into two groups named according to the trade winds that reach them from the African Continent: windward and leeward.The first group consists of the islands of Santo Antão, S.Vicente, Santa Luzia (not inhabited), S.Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, and the second, more to the South, comprises the islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.
The sun spreads its warmth the whole year round, soothed by the fresh seabreeze. The climate is tropical and dry. The average temperature is approximately 25°C and changes do not exceed 10°C.
History
Although there is no actual proof, there are indications that the Romans and the Carthaginians were aware of the existence of the Archipelago. It is also speculated that in the XII century, Arab seafarers may have reached the then unhabited islands.
In 1460, at the beginning of their discoveries, navigators in the service of the Portuguese Crown, landed in Cape Verde.
Two years later, the islands of the Archipelago were colonized, and subsequently became a trading center for African slaves. Most Cape Verdeans descend from both groups : soon Cape Verde developed a largely mestizo population with its own unique culture and language – the “Creole” - that had been influenced by many other countries.
Consequently, side by side, there can be found the large wooden pestle and the European stone grinder, the drumming sound of characteristic of the African dances and the sound of the Portuguese triangle as well as the West African game 'banco de ouri' which is played by everyone.
Since the origin of their history, the Cape Verdeans have been a largely mestizo: 80 per cent of the population is mestizo, 17 per cent black and 3 per cent white. Little by little Cape Verde formed its cultural identity and then began to search for its own political identity. They finally obtained this with the National Independence, on the 5th of July 1975 after a long fight for the national liberation.
On the 13th January, 1991, they finally settled upon the multi-party system with all the institutions of modern democracy. Today, Cape Verde is a rapidly developing country that enjoys peace and social stability.
Health
As far as health services, education and quality of life are concerned, Cape Verde is ranked the 4th in Africa. The sanitary standards are exemplary, with no contagious or endemic diseases, and with good coverage on all the islands. No vaccination is required.
Education
The literacy rate in Cape Verde is about 70 percent, and the demand for primary and secondary education is 85 percent and 48 percent, respectively. Most professionals are college graduates with degrees from European and American universities. Total investment in education accounted for 12 percent of the country's estimated budget for the period 1992-1995.
Currency
The currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE).
The easiest foreign currency to bring is the EUR (€). One EUR equals approx. 110.265 CVE.
Please be aware that no ATM machines have been installed yet. However , withdrawing cash is possible in all banks. Banks accept VISA.
Electricity
The electricity is 220V. |
