CABO VERDE IS A COUNTRY THAT CONSISTS OF AN ARCHIPELAGO OF 10 ORIGINALLY VOLCANIC ISLANDS LOCATED IN THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC OCEAN.
Located 570 km off the coast of West Africa, near Senegal, the islands cover a combined area of slightly over 4,000 square kilometers. The country’s official name is republic of Cabo Verde. The islands are approximately about 4,000 km away from Brussels, Paris and Frankfurt.
The Republic of Cabo Verde has a population of approximately 525,000 people. The local time zone is UTC -1: just one hour behind of Portugal and a mere 2 hours behind of Western Europe.
Though Portugese is the official language, Creole is the mother tongue of virtually all Cabo Verdeans, reflecting thereby the amazing ethnic diversity of the population.
HISTORICALLY UNINHABITED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF EUROPEAN COLONISTS AROUND 1456, CABO VERDE WAS INCORPORATED AS AN OVERSEAS DEPARTMENT OF PORTUGAL IN 1951, AND GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1975.
Since the early 1990’s Cabo Verde has been a stable democracy, and today remains one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa.
The population is ethnically diverse and mostly of mixed African-European heritage, with a European background from Portugal, Spain and Italy, and, more recently the Benelux, France and Brazil.
In the past decade, an influx of African immigrants has driven Cabo Verde’s economic growth.
In terms of religion, Cabo Verde is predominantly Christian, with a majority of Roman Catholics due to the former Portugese regime. A smaller percentage is Protestant.
The rich cultural diversity that stems from these influences makes Cabo Verde an attractive locale that exemplifies peaceful co-existence.
AS ONE OF THE MOST STABLE DEMOCRATIC NATIONS IN THE WORLD, CABO VERDE RANKS 32ST WORLDWIDE ACCORDING TO THE UN DEMOCRACY INDEX OF 2020.
Cabo Verde was granted developing nation status in 2008, which has opened up avenues for significant international investment and infrastructure improvement, notably in the booming tourism industry. The opening of new airports in Boa Vista (2007) and São Vicente (2009) – next to existing airports and ports – are both testament to this evolution, and have spurred it on.
Today, Cabo Verde is one of the fastest growing tourism markets, which in return has reflected on the population’s rising living standards – the highest in the West-African region.
Cabo Verde’s local currency is the Escudo (CVE), which has a fixed exchange rate to the Euro (1 € = 110,265 CVE).
THE SUN SHINES 350 DAYS A YEAR, AND AVERAGE DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURES RANGE FROM 22°C IN FEBRUARY TO 32°C IN AUGUST, AVERAGING AN ENVIABLE 27°C.
Rainfall in Cabo Verde is scarce and occurs irregularly between September and October.
With a milder climate than that of the African mainland, Cabo Verde enjoys moderate temperatures thanks to cold Atlantic currents that bring pleasant weather and humidity. In comparison: the air temperature is more cool here than in Senegal and the sea is warmer.
Humidity ranges between 40% and 60%.
SAO VICENTE, THE ISLAND OF CULTURE, CARNAVAL, KITE SURFING AND DIVING.
Contemporary Cabo Verde has become a much-loved destination for tourists and travelers from around the world. The islands offer an amazing combination of sunshine and beaches, with a vibrant social scene and cultural events mixed in.
When it comes to a rich culture in the guise of music, dance and gastronomy, Cabo Verde is hard to beat. Cabo Verde’s carnival celebrations in São Vicente’s capital of Mindelo embody the islands’ free spirit fully.
Whether you’re looking for a fun activity, outdoor adventures or peaceful solitude in nature, there’s no limit to the variety of activities Cabo Verde has to offer.
If you are interested in on land sports, you should definitely pay a visit to the adventures 9 hole sand golf course – unique in the world – or give the local tennis club in Mindelo a try.
If you rather enjoy yourself in the islands beautiful nature you can choose between hiking, mountain biking, jogging or even quad bike and horse riding to explore special places and dazzling sceneries along some hidden paths.
Monte Verde on São Vicente or the island Santo Antão – only half an hour away by boat – are definitely the right places for this.
If you like to be on the water you can charter a sailing boat or hire a small local vessel to explore the sunny bays and stunning wildlife protected islands where you can go whale spotting, fishing or take a dive in the turquoise water to chill down.
The islands also offer perfect conditions for wave-, wind-, and kite- surfing. An authentic spot for these sports is definitely the kite surf club on the beach of Salamansa.
