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 is the islands San Vicente, Santo Antao, San Nicolau, Sal, Boavista and desert island Santa Lucia. The "windward" group of islands includes Brava, Fogo, Santiago and Mayu.
In Portuguese, the name of the country means "green cape". Previously, in Russian, the country was called - Cape Verde, unofficially this name still exists today.
Cape Verde is a unique country in the sense that it has preserved pristine nature, which miraculously was not touched by the rapidly developing tourist infrastructure here. The main thing travelers come here for is diving (Cabo Verde is one of the world's top five places for diving), windsurfing and sport fishing. And of course, guests of the Cape Verde Islands will not be indifferent to 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 paradise lost in the ocean will leave an indelible mark on the soul.
Capital |
praia |
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Population |
523,568 people |
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Population density |
129.8 people/km² |
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Portuguese, Cape Verdian |
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Religion |
Catholicism (up to 80% of the population), traditional beliefs |
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Form of government |
presidential republic |
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Cape Verdean escudo |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Internet domain zone |
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Electricity |
Climate and weather
The Cape Verde archipelago is dominated by a subtropical dry climate. True, compared with the countries of continental Africa, which are located in the same climatic zone, Cape Verde is generally cooler and less pronounced temperature differences during the day and night.
The coolest time is January-February. The average January temperature is +22°C, but in the mountains it can be much lower.
The cold Canary current also makes its own adjustments to the temperature regime. Its waters never get hotter +20°C and therefore cool the air both over the ocean and over the islands. Only in July the current shifts to the 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 big influence North-easterly winds also bring dry, cool air to the islands. Dry and hot “harmattan” winds blow from the Sahara from October to June for several hours a day, bringing with them heat and the finest Saharan dust. It hangs in the air for a long time, forming "Dusty Fog".
But in August, the archipelago is blown by south and southwest winds that bring rain. The air becomes clean and cool, although it is drier in the mountains than on the coast. During the day the temperature can rise to +36°C and at night does not fall below +18…+20 °C.
best time for a trip to Cape Verde, the period from August to October is considered, when warm, pleasant weather guarantees a comfortable stay.
The Cape Verde archipelago is of volcanic origin, but today there is only one active volcano - Fogo, which is the highest point of the country (2829 m). The mountainous relief is also characteristic of the islands of Sao Vicente, Santiago and Sao Nicolo.
Approximately 16% of the territory of Cape Verde is the so-called "lunar landscape"(dry gravelly highlands), where the vegetation is not very diverse. However, the flora of the islands of Santiago, Brava and Santo Antao pleases with a riot of tropical colors. Cypresses, eucalyptus, pines and acacias grow in the mountains, on the northern slopes of the mountains you can see the evergreen trees of the bombardeira.
Baobabs, almonds, date and coconut palms, dragon tree and mango grow in the valleys of the islands. In total, there are about 450 species of native plants in Cape Verde and about 150 imported from other countries.
The peculiarity of the animal world of Cape Verde is that before the arrival of European colonialists there were no mammals here. Monkeys, rabbits, rats, 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. Sea turtles, spiny lobsters, sharks and numerous species of fish live in coastal waters.
sights
The main attractions of Cape Verde are of natural origin: each island of the archipelago has its own charm. For example, Santo Antao is known for its picturesque mountain range and the Kova craters. Brava proudly bears the title of the Island of Flowers, and Fogu 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 picturesque mountains, cliffs and canyons. Of the historical monuments, the Portuguese fortress is curious here. St. Philip in the town 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 bottom of the ocean. 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 San Nicolau. Here is the famous rock Rotcha Scribida on which ancient writings are visible. No one has been able to decipher them yet. The most popular version is that they were left by people who visited the island before the Portuguese.
Nutrition
The traditional cuisine of Cape Verde is distinguished by an abundance of delicious seafood and fish dishes. The most popular types of fish are sawfish, tuna and sea bass. Also, local restaurants will definitely offer you octopuses, lobsters, 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 Verdian table. Tropical fruit sweets are usually served for dessert.
It is unlikely that you will be able to spend a vacation in Cape Verde and not try the national dish of kachupa. This masterpiece of stewing is included in the usual menu of Cape Verdians, and in recent years it has also been appreciated by guests of the country. In large cities, kachupa is usually a weekend dish, but the farther from the capital, the more often it appears on the table. Kachupa is prepared, depending on the state of finances, according to "rich" or "poor" recipes. The more ingredients, the richer the dish: fish, beef, chicken, pork, bacon, corn, beans, onions, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, olive oil, and so on. Each island has its own recipe for kachupa.
The cost of dinner in a mid-range restaurant varies between $ 20-40. In general, there are many establishments of various price ranges on the islands. In almost every city there is a buffet restaurant, where, having paid about $ 10 for an entrance, you can taste local and European delicacies “as much as you like”.
Residence
There are no problems with accommodation for travelers in Cape Verde. So many hotels and apartments have been set up here that you can easily find great options at attractive prices.
The hotel fund of the country is, first of all, resort complexes with excellent infrastructure: restaurants, cafes, swimming pools, golf courses, playgrounds. Many hotels operate on a system all inclusive . Large hotels offer diving schools and dive equipment rentals to their guests.
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 is often available at an additional cost.
The most modern and comfortable hotels are located on the islands of Sal, Santiago, San Nicolau, San Vicente, Maio. Sal Island leads in terms of the number of hotels.
There are also small family hotels at quite affordable prices, as well as hotels aimed at surfers and sports fishing enthusiasts. You can rent a modest apartment or a whole 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 recreation
Thrill-seekers will enjoy entertainment in Cape Verde. "Volcanic snowboard"(snowboarding from the top of the volcano directly 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 shipwrecks, always delight adventure lovers. The best dive sites are concentrated around the islands of Sal, Santiago and Boavisita. The best time for diving is the period from April to November, at other times some areas are inaccessible for diving. Even if you have never been diving, there are many diving centers on the islands where beginners are also prepared for diving.
The second most popular type active rest is windsurfing. The constant Atlantic breeze in the Cape Verde Islands guarantees the possibility of windsurfing all year round. The island is most popular among surfers, as there are several surfing clubs here, designed for both beginners and professionals.
In the mountains of Santo Antao ideal conditions for tracking and flying with a hang glider. Hiking and cycling can be organized in the valleys.
But if outdoor activities are not to your liking, in Cape Verde you can have a great time on the beach. The beaches here are amazing: huge, clean and not crowded. Sunbeds are available free of charge.
It is worth visiting the local colorful holidays. 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 like souvenirs made by local craftsmen: clay figurines, African masks, products made from tortoise shell, coconut or bull horn. Paintings with Cape Verdian motifs are very popular, as well as figurines of people and animals made of bone or wood - they are sold everywhere. If you bargain well, you can bring down 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 that is unique to these islands.
Typically, shops in Cape Verde are open from 08:00 to 18:00, and supermarkets are open until 21:00. Sunday is almost everywhere a day off, some shops can work 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 It operates flights 1-2 times a day to each island. Airfare is between $40 and $80 one way. If you're planning on flying around the islands a lot, it's smart to get a $380 Air Pass for 10 flights, valid for 22 days.
In addition to aircraft, boats and ferries run between neighboring islands.
But on land, the cheapest way to travel is by minibuses (aluguer): the fare is about $ 1.3. However, get ready for the fact that 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 instance, Suzuki Jimny will cost about $70 per day. If you need a bigger car (pickup or SUV), get ready to shell out $90-120.
In general, the condition of the roads in Cape Verde is good, but you should not drive if you are not used to mountain roads(and such prevail on most islands).
Connection
The Internet can be used in all major hotels and business centers in large cities. In addition, there are 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 country adopted the range GSM 900. Russian tourists can use Thuraya satellite communications (subscribers of MTS and "Megofon"). Of course, you can buy a SIM card on the spot, although its cost is not that very attractive - about $ 30. Calling from pay phones is not very convenient, if only because there are very few of them: they are only in post offices and airports.
Safety
Cape Verde is a very safe country for tourists. The government of the archipelago pays special attention to ensuring order, as the country seeks to attract all more tourists. The main offenses are observed in the capital of Cape Verde Praia and on the island of Sao Vicente. In the most popular tourist areas(Boavista island, Sal island) 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 keep an eye on 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, like 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 carefully follow the rules of 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, the import of goods and fisheries. 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 entitles visa-free entry to countries West Africa and makes it very easy to get a Portuguese visa, which opens the door to the 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 their company, along with a detailed description of its purpose. The registration fee is about $8. After that, the founder contributes the authorized capital to the bank account, and the company is registered in the commercial register. You will need to pay a registration fee (about $120) and a fee to the Chamber of Commerce ($12). After registration, the owner receives a municipal license, as well as a license for the types of activities 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 until a license is issued, and register your employees with the Department of Social Protection of the Population, take out insurance against accidents at work, and register with the Labor Inspectorate. At this, in fact, the stage of opening a company is completed, and you can safely go about your business.
The property
Real estate in Cape Verde is becoming increasingly attractive among foreign investors. There are several reasons for this: the rapidly developing economy of the country, the boom in the construction of modern comfortable housing, the development of the tourism sector, and, of course, the policy of the authorities aimed at facilitating investments from abroad. Also important are such advantages as the lack of minerals in the archipelago (the land will not be subsequently taken away to develop gold deposits or drill an oil well), low crime rates and laws that do not distinguish between Cape Verdean citizens and foreigners. As they say, maximum advantages with a minimum of disadvantages.
The disadvantage of buying property in Cape Verde, to be very picky, is the presence of taxes and fees when making a transaction. But they are quite democratic: 3% of the value of a house or apartment is a tax on real estate and about 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. A one-bedroom apartment 150 meters from the sea is now quite possible to purchase for $90,000-100,000, and it will be a modern condominium housing 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 real estate market will not last long, and investors who want to get the maximum benefit from their investments should hurry up.
If you are going to dive in Cape Verde, remember that you will need insurance covering the risks associated with diving, insurance covering the risks of repatriation in case of death, as well as a medical certificate that allows you 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.
With regard to 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 duty-free no more than 5 kg of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Visa Information
Tourists from Russia need a visa to enter Cape Verde. It can be issued both at the honorary consulate of Cape Verde in Moscow, and at the airport of the island Sal upon arrival.
Depending on the purpose of the visit and the length of stay, there are several types of visas for entry into 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 single and multiple entry visas.
If you decide to apply for a visa at the Consulate of Cape Verde in Moscow, you will need the following documents:
- completed and signed by you questionnaire;
- a passport with a validity period 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 the completed pages of the 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 private person.
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 a double 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 exchange rate valid on the day of payment. Obviously, it is much more convenient to get 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 a passport and return tickets and pay 25 € for a visa. The advantage of obtaining a visa in advance at the consulate is only that the traveler does not need to prove to the border guards of intermediate airports his right to enter the country (there are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde).
Republic of Cape Verde is located on the islands of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 620 km. off the west coast of Africa and consists of 10 large and 5 small islands. The territory of the country is elevated and rather dry, up to 16% of the country is occupied by dry gravelly highlands - the so-called. "lunar landscape". The highest point of the country is the city of Fogu (2840 m.). The total area is 4 thousand square meters. km.
Capital of Cape Verde - Praia
The population is 400 thousand people, mostly mulattos - 71%, Africans (fulbe, balante, manja) - 28% and European settlers.
Political status: Republican form of government. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. Legislative power is vested in the unicameral National People's Assembly.
The language in Cape Verde is Portuguese, in communication with foreigners - Spanish, French and Creole dialect.
Religion in Cape Verde: Catholics (according to some sources - up to 80%) and adherents of local beliefs.
I must say that Cape Verde is a classic desert. Of the ten islands, only one can be called green (or rather, half of one). On the north side Santo Antana it rains at any time of the year. That's why there are streams pine forests, sugarcane plantations - in general, landscapes that do not amaze with their gloomy grandeur. The southern half of Santo Antan is the same as all the other Cape Verde Islands.
The islands themselves are separated from each other by 100-150 kilometers of undulating ocean surface. By virtue of geographical features Cape Verde foreign visitors usually arrive in the country by plane and move around its national territory in the same way. Small (but modern) airplanes national airline TACVs take them from island to island in an hour.
There are, however, two large ocean ferries: "Sotaventu" ("Lee") and "Barlaventu" ("Windward"). They go around the archipelago in a circle: the first - clockwise, and the second - against. But these are long hours and even days of sailing. It's not something to like on Cape Verde the average vacationer.
The archipelago owes its birth to volcanoes that popped their heads out of the ocean millions of years ago. One of the volcanoes is still smoking on the island Fogo(that's why the island is called "fogu" - "fire").
The rest faded away. But the appearance Cape Verde they decided once and for all. Wherever you stand with your back to the sea in the archipelago, your eyes will be more or less the same. A sandy or rocky plain (where there is), and behind it (in some places right in front of the nose) - mountains of lava steeply leaving into the sky-high layers of the atmosphere. Flag of the Republic Cape Verde white-blue-red, almost like in Russia. In fact, the characteristic colors of the country are red, brown and black.
These colors change only once a year. At the end of August, seasonal rains come. There is a lot (even more than ever) of wind, thunder, lightning and similar dramatic effects. The desert responds to them with all its life-affirming power. Grass suddenly emerges from the bare stone. Until October, it feeds on the energy of hurricanes, and then completely dries up to reappear from nothing the next year.
If the spectacle of the scorched desert does not make a beneficial impression on you, you must urgently turn around 180 degrees. The sea is there, the colors play there all year round. But a walk in the volcanic mountains is also worth it. The sharpest effect gives a car walk. You will receive it without any effort, wherever and on what business you have to go to Cape Verde.
On the way from south to northern part Santo Antana there is a place called Delgadinho("skinny"). Oncoming cars give way to each other. Because the highway is just the width of a heavy truck, and there are no ditches. Instead, there are almost perfectly even cliffs on the right and left. 1 km high. In not very clear weather, the view from this stone spine is spoiled by clouds. They hang somewhere in the middle between the soles of your feet and the bottom of the valley.
Roads to Cape Verde they do not cover with asphalt, as we do, but cut through the lava and pave with paving stones from the same lava. Laying out, where necessary, terraces of lava blocks. At the same time, side rails are somehow not considered very necessary. When cornering, an unprepared passenger's soul goes into the heels. But local, and not only local, drivers maneuver there quite coolly.
Cape Verde- these are, first of all, natural attractions: a stunning contrast of the azure blue ocean and yellow, sun-dried rocks create a peculiar charm of this country. The main "treasures" of the islands are under water - the ocean in the area of the archipelago is saturated with life, so for aquatic species sports and scuba diving is one of the best places in the world.
The underwater foothills of the islands go down very steeply and are replete with both coral reefs with countless marine life and underwater caves with a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns.
During the migration period, both herds of whales often appear off the coast of the archipelago, letting them approach at a fairly close distance, as well as shoals of oceanic fish that serve as an object of sport fishing. Suffice it to say that in 2000, 6 world records were registered off the coast of these islands in terms of the size and weight of fish caught.
The capital of the country - Praia, located on a mountain plateau, which is called the Plateau, is not rich in any architectural delights and sights, but it has two beautiful beaches west of center - Praia Mar and Cuebra Canela.
10 km. west of the capital is Ciudad Velha(Old Town) - the first settlement of Europeans in the archipelago, famous for its picturesque Portuguese fort Real da Santo Felipe, hanging over the waters of the ocean. And north of the capital lies Tarrafal - favorite place recreation for citizens and guests of the country, known for its beautiful beaches.
deserted island Sal, on which the country's international airport is located, is almost entirely at the disposal of tourists. While waiting for a flight to the capital or to the islands, you will be offered to take a boat trip to various islands of the archipelago, visit good restaurants with local and Portuguese cuisine, or spend time on small, but cozy beaches islands.
Mindelo on about. Santo Vincente is the most Big City countries and the archipelago's only deep-water port. Unlike the capital, it is full of bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Built up mainly with buildings of colonial architecture with carved balconies and shady courtyards, it is tourist capital islands.
Santo Antan, lying north of Santo Vincente - the greenest and most picturesque of the islands of the archipelago. It is the most popular among fans of hiking, here you can also take a mini-safari in jeeps or bicycles through the green hills of the island and admire its bizarre landscape, and then relax on the beaches of the east coast.
The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but only Fogu volcano (2829 m) on the island of the same name is active (29 eruptions have occurred since the middle of the 16th century, the last in 1995). The islands of Santiago, San Vicente and San Nicola also have a mountainous relief. The islands of the eastern group - Mayu, Boavista and Sal - are distinguished by low heights. As a rule, natural vegetation is better preserved in the valleys in the interior of the islands.
But its real name is Cape Verde. In principle, the geography teachers were not so wrong. From the Portuguese the name is translated as Green Cape. The archipelago country consists of fifteen islands, some of which are uninhabited. All of them are located in tropical latitudes, quite close to the equator, six hundred kilometers from the western coast of Africa (exactly opposite Senegal). Cool somewhat softens the constant heat. Which island to choose for vacation? This is entirely up to you. For example, if you love diving, the islands of the leeward group (Maio, Fogo, Brava, Santiago) are suitable for you, and if you are fond of surfing or kiting, choose Bov Vista, Sal, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente or Santo Antao. The rather large island of Santa Lucia is uninhabited, you can only come there on an excursion.
Visa
In Russia, a representative office of Cape Verde was opened relatively recently. The embassy, or rather, the honorary consulate of the country, is located at the address: Moscow, 26/1, office No. 182. But you need to go there for a visa only if you are flying to the Cape Verde Islands on a flight with a connection in German cities. According to national regulations, German airlines may deny you the right to board if you do not have the appropriate insert in your passport. If you use the services of Spanish, Portuguese or French firms, then you can get a tourist visa upon arrival in Cape Verde. The main thing is that your passport has an expiration date that exceeds your stay in the country. This pleasure costs 25 Euro per person.
How to get there
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to the tropical Cape Verde Islands. After all, the country of Cape Verde is located nine thousand kilometers from Moscow. Therefore, the journey is long, about nine hours (excluding the time of docking). After analyzing the reviews of tourists, we can say that it is most convenient to fly with the TAP company with a transfer in Lisbon. Then you can choose a flight to the Sal Islands or Santiago. You will need to spend the night in a hotel in Hannover (and, accordingly, you need to have a Schengen visa for this) if you choose Lufthansa. But there are convenient connections in Madrid (Iberia), Paris (Air France) and Frankfurt (Lufthansa). You can freely bring two liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes with you. Most tourists arriving in the republic land at the international airport "Amilcar Cabral", which is located on the island of Sal, while the country's capital is located on Santiago.
Movement within the archipelago
We can say that the locals are the most flying nation in the world, because the main type of communication between the islands is air. So, having arrived at Sal, do not rush to leave the well-groomed and beautiful airport building. In its open area there is a representative office of the local airline Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde, abbreviated as TACV. Small but comfortable airplanes of this company flutter from island to island with enviable regularity. Cape Verde also boasts a developed system maritime transport: ferries, boats and speed boats link nearby land areas. Inside a separate island, you can rent a car (the driver must be over 21 years old and have driving experience). But the reviews of tourists say that there is no particular need for this. Minibuses (locally called aluguer) actively run on the roads, and taxis are inexpensive. You can negotiate with the driver, and a whole day of skiing around the island will cost you only Є70-80.
Helpful information
There is a currency exchange office and ATMs at Cape Verde International Airport. You should not immediately change all dollars and Euros for local escudos. The course at the airport (as well as in hotels) is underestimated. In addition, there is no return exchange, so take colorful pieces of paper with you to Russia as souvenirs. Credit cards are accepted only in large "promoted" hotels, and even then not all payment systems. Judging by the reviews of tourists, only Visa owners had no problems. It is best to change the currency in banks, but they are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00, and only a few are open on Saturdays until noon. At winter tourists you may get the feeling that it is not so hot outside. Don't be deceived by the refreshing ocean breeze: the equatorial sun will easily burn your unprotected skin. But it doesn't hurt to bring a sweater or windbreaker with you.
Climate
It is due to the location of the geographical feature in tropical latitudes, the proximity of Africa (even sand is brought to Sal from the mainland, which is collected in dunes) and the action of the warm current of the Gulf Stream. The climate can be called dry, but the amount of precipitation differs significantly depending on the location of the islands. For example, on Sal it rains only eleven days a year, while on Fogo it is often overcast and damp. Summer is hot here. average temperature air +28... +32 °C, water warms up to +26 °C. Winter brings only relative coolness: + 24 ° C air and + 22 ° C ocean. The rainiest months are January and February.
Holidays in Cape Verde: reviews of tourists
Experienced travelers who have something to compare with say that this country is a rare combination of the European level of service and primeval nature. Here you can take a break from obsessive and boring things in our civilization (smog, traffic jams, etc.) and at the same time not feel deprived of its benefits. Huge sandy beaches welcome everyone. Sun loungers and umbrellas in this earthly paradise are free. The Cape Verde Islands are very popular with French, Spanish, German and Portuguese tourists. But there are few Russians here, which can be counted as a plus. The public is clearly divided into two categories: pensioners and couples with children who want to a relaxing holiday and the so-called athletes. The republic-archipelago is one of the universally recognized centers for diving, windsurfing and sport fishing in the world. There are no noisy discos and buzzing water scooters, as in Antalya, here. The only event that gathers crowds of people is the Carnival before Lent (usually falls in February). Colorful processions take place in the country's capital Praia and the main city of the island of Sao Vicente - Mindelo.
Hotels
The hotel base of the country is quite developed. The only feature can be called a small presence here of well-known chain hotels. But each complex can boast of its original design. Most resorts in Cape Verde consist of hotels, which are cottage settlements or standing on the beach bungalows. But there is no shortage of noisy "anthills" - huge hotel complexes consisting of multi-storey buildings. The lion's share of hotels practices a food system. Food, as can be judged by the reviews, is tasty, well-cooked, but without frills - mostly grilled meat and fish, vegetables, fruits. The hotels have evening and daytime animation, including for children. In places with strong ocean surf, there are pools with salt water.
Excursions
Most tourists who come to the country through agencies rest in the east of the archipelago. Due to the winds blowing from Africa, there is a desert landscape here. The island owes its name to the salt deposit, which is mined from the crater. extinct volcano. There is also an analogue Dead Sea- a lake saturated with brine at the bottom of the caldera. Worth going to sightseeing tour by Sal. It doesn't cost that much and is often included in the tour package. They also offer to admire the inhabitants of coral reefs and underwater caves by taking a trip on a boat with a transparent bottom. You can also watch turtles laying eggs. The rest of the excursions are expensive (150-180 Є), which is understandable - they include air travel. These trips take all day. Immediately upon arrival or on the last day, it is worth seeing the island of Santiago. The capital of Cape Verde, Praia, is located there. The name of the city is translated as "beach", and that says it all. An interesting excursion to Foga (the tour includes climbing an active volcano) and to the "island of flowers" Brava.
What to bring from Cape Verde
Holidays on the islands are so original that you definitely want to take something as a memory of these wonderful places. Local craftsmen provide you with a wide choice. Wooden and clay figurines, handicrafts made of coconut or bull horn, lamps, baskets made of palm straw, elegant little things made of tortoise shell, carpets. Souvenirs are sold mainly by Senegalese. You need to be able to bargain with them. Your eloquence and acting skills (pretend to leave the shop) will be rewarded - a half-meter-high wooden carving can be purchased for as little as 10 euros.
Basic moments
Diving, yachting, windsurfing, kite surfing and sport fishing are popular on the tropical islands. Travelers who come to Cape Verde for outdoor activities prefer to stay in hotels at diving centers and surfing stations, or rent cottages on the seashore.
About 540 thousand people live on the archipelago. More than 70% of local residents are mulattoes, a quarter of the citizens of Cape Verde are Africans, and the rest of the inhabitants are immigrants from different countries Europe. Portuguese, Creole and African languages are spoken here. Thanks to immigrants from the western regions of Africa, French is widely spoken among the islanders. It is believed that about 80% of the population are Catholics, while the rest adhere to local beliefs.
A famous singer, Cesaria Evora, was born in Cape Verde. The barefoot diva became famous all over the world for performing original Creole songs to the accompaniment of the ukulele, piano, accordion, clarinet and violin. In 2012, the airport on the island of San Vicente was named after the talented singer who won the hearts of music lovers in different corners planets.
The whole life of the tropical archipelago is connected with the ocean, and tourism forms the basis of the economy of Cape Verde. The development of tourism infrastructure is sponsored by local and foreign investors. Especially a lot of money in the development of tourism in this country is invested by entrepreneurs from Austria, Spain, Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. Thanks to them, large resort centers have been built on the islands, offering their guests a full range of necessary services.
History of Cape Verde
The first mention of Cape Verde can be found among Arab travelers and geographers who lived in the XII-XIV centuries. Europeans discovered part of the archipelago in 1456. This happened during the voyage of the Venetian traveler Aloysius Cada-Mosto, who was in the service of the Portuguese. In subsequent years, Portuguese sailors visited the rest of the islands. In those days, the entire archipelago was covered with vegetation, and there were no people here.
The first European settlements appeared in Cape Verde in 1462. Colonists from Portugal began to explore the Cape Verde Islands from Santiago. The government of the country encouraged the settlers with large plots of land and gave them significant privileges in trade on the African coast. In addition to the Portuguese, the islands were inhabited by immigrants from Spain, Genoa and France. And by the end of the 15th century, thousands of Jews arrived here, who left Europe, wanting to avoid the persecution of the Portuguese Inquisition.
The archipelago was located at the crossroads of merchant ships plying between Europe, the New World and Africa, so it quickly turned into one of the centers of the slave trade. Europeans living in Cape Verde undertook several expeditions for "human goods" on the coast of Guinea and in the hinterland of Africa, and slaves were taken out to tobacco and sugar cane plantations located in Brazil. Due to the large influx of Africans, by 1572 the vast majority of the inhabitants of the archipelago were the descendants of black slaves, as well as mulattos, who were born from the ties of African women with Europeans.
In the XVIII-XIX centuries, Cape Verde suffered from the consequences of a severe drought. The crop failure was facilitated by the constant cutting down of moist forests and the clearing of fertile soil for pastures. As a result, about 100,000 local residents died during three major droughts. The end of the slave trade came in 1876, the King of Portugal issued a special decree prohibiting slave ownership.
By the end of the 19th century, Cape Verde had become an ideal place to refuel transatlantic ships. The liners moored in Cape Verde received on the islands the coal they needed, drinking water, provisions and livestock.
In 1951, the Cape Verde Islands, along with other possessions, became an overseas province of Portugal. Soon there was a movement for the independence of Guinea and Cape Verde, and in 1974 an agreement was signed in the capital of Portugal recognizing the islands as an independent republic.
Geographic features and climate
The islands lie in the center of the Atlantic Ocean. About 16% of Cape Verde is rocky, barren highlands that resemble lifeless "lunar" landscapes. Several volcanoes are concentrated here. The largest of them - Fogu - rises to a height of 2829 m.
The islands have rocky, precipitous coasts, and there are few places convenient for mooring ships. The largest of the harbors - Porto Grande - is located on the island of Sao Vicente. A natural bay formed in the crater of a submerged volcano. Today, it is surrounded by the second largest city in the country - Mindelo.
Cape Verde has a dry tropical climate. The average annual air temperature in the Cape Verde Islands is +25 °C. The coldest months are January and February, while the hottest months are July and August. Depending on the season, the temperature of ocean water ranges from +21 °С to +26 °С.
It rains a little - only 100-300 mm per year. True, during the rainy season, which lasts from August to October, heavy rains can pass in the mountains, which can cause great damage to the upper fertile soil layer.
On the islands of Cape Verde, winds blow all year round, and thanks to them, the tropical heat is much easier to bear. From mid-autumn to early summer, the east trade wind from the Sahara, which is called "harmattan", prevails. It is very dry and often brings fine dust to the islands.
Islands of Cape Verde
The archipelago consists of 10 large and 5 small islands, divided into "leeward" and "windward" groups. The "windward" group includes Santo Antao, San Vicente, San Nicolau, the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia, Sal (Sal) and Boavista (Boa Vista) . In the "lee" - Santiago (Santiago), Brava (Brava), Fogo (Fogo) and Maio (Maio).
Sal
The most flat of all the islands of the archipelago is famous for its excellent conditions for diving and surfing. The island is of volcanic origin and emerged from the ocean about 50 million years ago. It has a developed tourist infrastructure, so more than half of all travelers who come to Cape Verde prefer to stay here.
Sala is popular for catamaran and sailboat trips along the coast. During such sea voyages tourists can swim, snorkel and fish with a bait. So that travelers can better see the underwater world and sunken ships, they are taken along the coast in boats with a transparent bottom.
While relaxing in Sala, it is interesting to visit the town of Santa Maria and take a bath in the salt pools. Many tourists go on an excursion to Oásis de Algodoeiro - to the ruins of a military fortress built by the Portuguese during the colonization of the island.
Fogo
Fogo Volcano Island is the highest and one of the most picturesque places Cape Verde. On this island, green vineyards coexist with lifeless black lava fields, and the coast is framed by beaches that are covered with dark-colored volcanic sand. 37 thousand people live on Fogo. locals serve tourists, grow coffee and produce excellent wine.
The area around active volcano Fogo has been declared a nature reserve. In the volcanic caldera there is a small village of Shan das Caldeiras, where 1.2 thousand people live. In this village there is a parish church of the 19th century and a small museum "House of Memory".
São Filipe, the third largest city in Cape Verde, has a lot of colorful houses that contrast sharply with those around them. mountain slopes. Interestingly, almost all the buildings and churches of this city are built from volcanic tuff.
Brava
Brava is the smallest among the other islands of Cape Verde, due to the variety of rare flowering plants, it is often called the "Island of Flowers". It is located in the western part of the archipelago, 20 km from Fogo. Even geologically, the island of Brava is a continuation of Fogu. The depth of the sea in the channel that separates the two islands is several hundred meters, while the bottom of the sea around the rest of the island is about 4000 meters deep. To the north of Brava lie two small deserted islands. Tourism is not developed here, due to the steep coastline, which does not allow you to enjoy a good rest on the beaches of the island.
Santiago
Most big Island The archipelago has an area of 991 km². It is home to most of the population of Cape Verde - over 284 thousand people. Santiago hosted the government of the republic, foreign embassies and international organizations. For rich vegetation and an abundance of tropical fruits, the island is often called the "bread basket" of Cape Verde.
Travelers come to Santiago for the sake of the beautiful natural park, where baobabs and dragon trees grow, which are over 400 years old. The protected area is located near the city of Assamada.
Of great interest is the capital of the island of Praia - the city, which was founded in the XV century. Old squares, monuments and the presidential palace, built in the 19th century, have been preserved here. Many guests of the city make an excursion to the local ethnographic museum.
10 km west of the island capital is located historical monument listed by UNESCO world heritage. This is the fortress of San Filipe, which was built at the end of the 16th century to protect the coast from pirates.
San Vicente
The picturesque island stretches for 24 km and reaches a width of 16 km. San Vicente has a relatively flat terrain. The highest point of the island rises to 774 m above sea level. Open in San Vicente national center crafts, where they support the traditions of local weaving and making handicrafts from shells and stones.
The capital of the island of Mindelo is the second largest city in the republic. Its neighborhoods grew up on the shores of a natural harbor formed on the edge of the crater of a submerged volcano. The most concentrated in Mindelo a large number of nightclubs in Cape Verde. In addition, the brightest and liveliest carnivals are held here. During the August full moon, the city welcomes the colorful Bahia das Gatas festival, and in September, the Mindelact theatrical festival.
Boavista
In Portuguese, the name "Boavista" means "beautiful view". It is the third largest island in Cape Verde and has about 9,000 inhabitants. Getting to Boavista is easy. From Sal, fast boats reach the island in an hour, and by plane they get here even faster - in just 15 minutes.
Boavista Island is known for its excellent beaches and picturesque dunes, which alternate with green oases of date palms. For these features, it is often called the island of the dunes. In recent years, off-road, motorcycle and quad bike safaris have become a popular pastime in the Viana desert and the huge Santa Monica beach, covered with fine white sand. The size of this beach strip is impressive - it stretches for 40 km.
San Nicolau
In the northern part of the archipelago is an island that has long had the status of the cultural capital of Cape Verde. In 1936, an original literary movement was born here, and until 1960 the popular magazine Claridade was published.
The island is covered with mountains. It has a sufficient amount of fresh water, so agriculture and livestock breeding have developed here. A local attraction is the Rotcha Sribidada rock, where ancient, yet undeciphered writings have been preserved. According to legend, the petroglyphs on the rock were left by people who visited the island before it was colonized by the Portuguese. San Nicolau began to be settled in the 17th century, and many buildings and churches of the 18th-19th centuries have been preserved in its villages.
Santo Antan
The second largest island of Cape Verde covers an area of 779 km². In the city of Ribeira Grande, the capital of Santo Antana, you can see many buildings from the colonial period. Here is the oldest lighthouse in the archipelago, which was built in 1886.
Travelers come to Santo Antan to trek along the mountain ranges and fly on hang gliders. And the valleys overgrown with tropical vegetation are popular with lovers of cycling.
Mayu
Maio is a quiet secluded island located in the extreme eastern part of the Cape Verde group of islands, at a distance of 25 km from Santiago Island. This one old island archipelago, which stretches for 24 km in length and 16 km in width. In addition, Mayu is an ancient dormant volcano that has not woken up for several thousand years. The island is famous for its white sandy beaches and azure blue sea, but most of the beaches are far from the main roads and can only be reached by off-road vehicles or on foot.
Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia is the only uninhabited island in Cape Verde. It is 5 km wide and 13 km long. There is little vegetation on the island of Santa Lucia, but tourists come here for the sake of clean beaches and dunes. The highest point on the island at 395 m above sea level is Monte Grande.
The lack of water made it impossible to settle the island with permanent residents, despite this, since the 19th century, fishermen and shepherds have lived here - only about 20 people. It is known that back in 1960 a family of shepherds lived here. However, since 1990, the state declared the island absolutely uninhabited and assigned it the status of a reserve.
Diving
The most popular outdoor activity in Cape Verde is diving. The best time for diving is the period from mid-spring to the end of autumn, when almost all interesting underwater objects are available.
The underwater world of Cape Verde is famous for its diversity. In clean and warm ocean water Tunas, moray eels, barracudas, manta rays, eels, lobsters and sea bass live. Here you can find ballfish, goldfish, schools of king mackerel, bonito and groupers.
Dives are made to a depth of 6 to 30 m, while the visibility under water is from 30 to 40 m. Few places on the planet have such excellent conditions for underwater travel! It should be noted that there is not that abundance and beauty for which divers go to Egypt. But compared to the Red Sea, around Cape Verde you can see large inhabitants much more often. underwater world- large green turtles, three-meter stingrays, flocks of frolicking dolphins and even whales.
In addition to colorful fish, crabs, lobsters and octopuses, off the coast of Cape Verde there are picturesque reefs, underwater caves, rocks, grottoes and sunken ships. Many shipwrecks lie on the ocean floor near the islands of Santiago and Mayu. This sea vessels built in the XV-XVIII centuries. Near Sal and Boavista, old ships are at an accessible depth of 12-28 m.
Sala, Santo Antana, Sao Vicente and Santiago have large diving centers that offer a full range of services - from beginner training to equipment rental. Many divers choose to stay on this island because there are more than three dozen interesting dive sites around it. Sala's most popular sites are the Blue Room, the Palmiera site, the Ponta do Farol reef, the Buracona cave, as well as three sites where wrecks lie at depths of 9 to 12 m.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
Fans of riding the waves under a strong wind have mastered the tropical archipelago for a long time. Suffice it to say that in Cape Verde, the world champion in windsurfing in the freestyle discipline, the famous Josh Agulo, was born.
Cape Verde is always warm, but never too hot. The water in the ocean has a comfortable temperature all year round. The wind season lasts from September to May. But the best period is from December to April, when the average wind speed reaches 10 m/s. In summer, the wind speed drops to 7 m/s, and sometimes there are weeks of complete calm.
Surfing conditions are favorable throughout the archipelago, as a steady breeze from the Atlantic Ocean does not bypass any of the islands. There are 6 surf centers on Sala. Other islands also have surf clubs. They have modern equipment, train beginners, organize competitions and have their own rescue services.
Most riders come to Sal. The most popular spot of this island is Ponta Prete. When the swell comes from the west side, the highest waves form here. This spot has a lot of rocks, so it is chosen by experienced windsurfers who are able to control the situation better than beginners.
The water area of the town of Santa Maria is very popular for skiing. The coastal embankment of the island capital has the shape of a horseshoe, and in its center the water is always calm. Beginner surfers feel comfortable here. The edges of the bay, on the contrary, protrude into the open sea, forming a zone of hard wave skating. Half a kilometer from the coast, powerful waves from the ocean prevail, the height of which often reaches 5 m. In the east of the town there is a surf station where Josh Agulo himself works.
Near Santa Maria there is an uncomplicated Albatros spot. A side wind blows on it, thanks to which waves that are easy to ride are formed. However, keep in mind that those who go too far from the coast run the risk of getting into high waves, wind dips and strong currents.
Salinas spot, which is located just a few minutes drive from the town of Santa Maria, is considered an ideal place for kitesurfers on Sala. This place is ideal for beginners due to the wide beach, lack of strong coastal currents and coral reef. The winds here are stable and tend to blow from the left side.
Spot Kanoa is also popular among newcomers to Sal. It is located in the southern part of the island, inside the bay of Murdeira. The bay is protected from strong winds, and the waves are small and safe. It has been declared a marine reserve, as humpback whales come here during the mating season.
Kitchen features
Cape Verde loves fish and seafood. Local chefs cook great sawfish, tuna and sea bass. In small taverns and restaurants, you can always order dishes from delicious lobsters, barnacles and octopuses.
The most popular among the inhabitants of Cape Verde is considered "kachupa". It is made from pork or other meat, beans, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, corn and pumpkin. It is noteworthy that each island has its own recipe for this hearty meal. If it uses several types of meat, the islanders call "kachupu" rich.
In Cape Verde, rice with a seafood cocktail and meat soup with shrimp are excellent. Almost all travelers like "jagasida" - a dish of stewed pork and beans with cornmeal dressing. It is also worth trying a local delicacy - bochada sausage, which is made from the blood and stomach of young lambs and served with rice. In different places in Cape Verde, they sell island fast food - fried "devil pies", which are stuffed with tuna meat, ripe tomatoes and onions.
Almost all local desserts are made from tropical fruits. Banana muffins, honey cassava biscuits, and delicate quark puddings with a bright papaya or mango flavor are available in many cafes.
Cape Verde has its own winemaking traditions. On the island of Fogo late XIX century produce delicious wine "Calderas". The vines were brought here by the French Count of Montro. Local vineyards are small and are watered by hand. The island wine is exported and supplied to the European Union. The best quality is considered to be young wine, the age of which has not yet reached one year. Interestingly, due to the mineral-rich volcanic soil and warm tropical climate, it is 2 degrees stronger than ordinary European wine.
While vacationing in Cape Verde, you should try the local cane grog, which the islanders emphasize with various fruit flavors. It is customary to drink a low-alcohol drink hot and use it for making cocktails. The grog produced on the island of Santo Antan received the greatest recognition. Like Fogo wine, it is also exported.
Transport
The most common type public transport in Cape Verde are "aluguer" - minibuses that run without a clear schedule. They depart from the final destinations when there are no empty seats in the cabin.
Tourists often use taxis. If you plan to order a car for a full day, you need to agree on the price of the trip with the driver in advance.
From island to island, various transport runs. The outlying islands of Cape Verde are connected by planes, while the nearby islands are connected by ferries and speedboats.
Visa
To travel to Cape Verde, residents of Russia need to obtain a visa. This can be done in Moscow at the consulate of that country. For registration, you need to present a passport, an application form, a color photo 35 by 45 mm, a hotel reservation (or an invitation from friends or relatives), as well as paid round-trip tickets or a ticket reservation.
Documents can be submitted to the consulate in person or by proxy, and not necessarily notarized. Tourist visas in Cape Verde are issued for six months. They are single, multiple, group (for group members of 5 people) and family (for a parent with a child). Documents are made within 3 days. It is allowed to live on a tourist visa in the country at a time for 30 days.
There is another option for obtaining a visa. It can be issued upon arrival at the airport on the island of Sal. Such a visa is cheaper, but for its issuance, in addition to the usual package of documents, you need to provide a special permit obtained from the consulate of the republic. For those who want to use this option, you need to keep in mind that some airlines serve only those passengers who have a pre-arranged visa permit.
Currency, tips and customs features
The country pays with the local currency - the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE). It is recommended to exchange money in banks, because the exchange rate at airports is not very favorable. Bank branches are open on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00. Some banks may also work on Saturdays until 12.00.
The country does not do a reverse exchange, so tourists are not advised to change all the money at once. Not everywhere in Cape Verde you can pay with a credit card. Cash is preferred here.
If tips are not included in the bill, it is customary in restaurants to leave 10% of the order. In other places, the issue of tips and their amount is decided by the tourists themselves.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the country, and there is no need to declare any amount. Duty-free allowed to import up to 2 liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes. Imported plants are subject to special control. From Cape Verde, you can take out up to 5 kg of vegetables and fruits, as well as products and things necessary for personal use.
Souvenirs
The most common souvenirs that travelers bring back from Cape Verde are expressive figurines of animals and people, as well as African masks carved from ebony. They are traded by the inhabitants of Senegal, and you can buy such crafts everywhere. The main thing - do not forget to bargain! In addition, souvenirs made from coconut shells, bull horns of bulls and tortoise shell, straw mats, hats made from raffia palm leaves, ceramic figurines and dishes, as well as carpet paths and lamps are popular with tourists.
The islands sell beautiful jewelry made from coral and pearls. These are beads, earrings, bracelets and silver jewelry inlaid with pieces of coral and individual pearls.
Almost all shops are open from 8.00 to 18.00, except Sunday. Large supermarkets are usually open until 21.00.
Where to stay
Cape Verde presents a rare combination wildlife and excellent hotel service. There are almost no branded hotels here, but there are many hotels built on a grand scale. Large resort complexes offer their guests cozy rooms, restaurants, bars, cafes, golf courses and children's playgrounds. Most hotels have pools with both fresh and salt water. The all-inclusive system is ubiquitous.
On some islands of Cape Verde, you can rent cottages located far from populated cities and towns, right on the ocean. This option is chosen by lovers of secluded relaxation. Own hotels also have diving and surfing centers.
Tourist infrastructure has been created throughout the archipelago, but most travelers prefer to rent accommodation in Santiago, Sala, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente and Maio. It should be kept in mind that not all hotel complexes Cape Verde, with 4 and 5 stars, correspond to the declared category. Internet access is provided almost everywhere for a separate, fairly high fee.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde. Santiago and Sal airports can only be reached with transfers. From Moscow planes fly to the islands via Lisbon, Madrid, Paris and Frankfurt. The flight, excluding transfer time, takes approximately 9 hours.
CAPE VERDE
Republic of Cape Verde, a state on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. The archipelago consists of 10 relatively large and 15 small islands and rocks. Depending on the position in relation to the prevailing winds, two groups are distinguished - Windward and Leeward islands. In the first group, the largest islands are Santo Antan, Sao Vicente, San Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, and in the second - Mayu, Santiago and Fogo. The total area of the archipelago is 4033 sq. km. Population 476 thousand people (1998). On the largest island Santiago (992 sq. km) is the capital city of Praia.
Cape Verde. The capital is Praia. Population - 476 thousand people (1998). The population density is 118 people per 1 sq. km. km. Urban population- 50%, rural - 50%. Area - 4033 sq. km. The most high point- Fogu volcano (2829 m). The main languages are Portuguese (official), Creole. The main religion is Catholicism. Administrative-territorial division - 14 districts. Monetary unit: escudo = 100 centavos. National holiday: Independence Day - 5 July. National anthem: "Sun, sweat, greenery and sea"
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Nature. The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but only the volcano Fogu (2829 m) on the island of the same name is active (29 eruptions have occurred since the middle of the 16th century, the last in 1951). The islands of Santiago, San Vicente and San Nicola also have a mountainous relief. The islands of the eastern group - Mayu, Boavista and Sal - are distinguished by low heights. As a rule, natural vegetation is better preserved in the valleys in the interior of the islands. The climate is tropical, hot and dry. Average July temperatures are 24-26°C, January 21-23°C. The average annual precipitation is 100-300 mm with a maximum in August - October (the warmest period of the year). Precipitation is rare on the flat islands, in the mountains in some years there are heavy showers and up to 500 mm of moisture "poured out" in one day. Such showers destroy the fertile topsoil. The withering influence is exerted by the harmattan east wind blowing from the Sahara from October to June and bringing a mass of fine dust. The construction of stone terraces and dams that retain water in the mountains allows the development of efficient irrigation systems. In addition, the network of artesian wells is expanding. The vegetation of the islands is sparse. On the northern slopes of the mountains there are solitary low evergreen bombardeira trees, the succulent leaves of which are used in traditional medicine. Pine, acacia, eucalyptus, cypress trees grow in the mountains on the islands of Santo Antan and Santiago, and coconut and date palms near fresh water sources. The flora includes 450 native plant species and 150 introduced ones. The latter include some types of trees, such as coffee tree, sugar cane, various types of vegetables, fruits and grains. Domestic animals of the islands are imported from Portugal. Coastal waters are rich in fish (tuna, mullet, mackerel, etc.). There are sharks, sea turtles and lobsters. In the 1970s, soil erosion problems worsened in Cape Verde as a result of intensive farming practices. Reforestation campaigns have been carried out to protect topsoil and retain groundwater. By the mid-1990s, forests covered approx. 16% of the country's territory.
Population. In 1990, 341.5 thousand people lived in Cape Verde, in 1998 - 476 thousand. Over 70% of the country's inhabitants are mulattoes, people of mixed African-European origin. The rest of the population is predominantly Africans, no more than 1% are Europeans. Natural resources Cape Verde is very poor, and in search of a better life, many of the country's inhabitants emigrated to the United States, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal and West African countries. The most massive emigration took place in the 1970s (10-18 thousand people a year). It is estimated that approximately 700,000 natives of Cape Verde live abroad. The most populated is the island of Santiago (175 thousand inhabitants). Each of the 9 inhabited islands can be compared to a miniature racial melting pot with its own cultural characteristics and local dialects resulting from the mixing of Portuguese and various African languages. 98% of the population are Catholics. Thanks to government efforts to combat illiteracy, by the mid-1990s, 72% of the population could read and write. Creole is the most widely spoken language, but Portuguese is the official language. The capital of Cape Verde - Praia (61.7 thousand inhabitants) is located on the island of Santiago. Amilcar-Cabral Airport on the island of Sal receives transatlantic airliners. Construction completed in 1998 international airport in Praia. Small boats and planes of the local airline provide communication between the islands.
Political system. After gaining independence in 1975, a radical one-party regime was established in Cape Verde, which lasted until 1990. Under pressure from the opposition, the ruling African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAIKV) in 1990 was forced to create a multi-party democratic system. The Movement for Democracy (MPD) took shape in the country. The first free parliamentary elections held in January 1991 ended with the victory of the MTD. In the presidential elections held a month later, the party's candidate, António Mascarenhas, defeated PAIKV candidate Aristide Pereira. The new constitution adopted on September 25, 1992 marked the beginning of the "Second Republic" with a new state flag and national anthem. The president and 72 deputies of the unicameral parliament, the National Assembly, are directly elected for a five-year term. The deputies of the assembly elect the prime minister, who submits the composition of the cabinet of ministers for approval by the president. Councils of local executive bodies are also elected in general elections for a five-year term. In the early 1990s, the MPD government made the transition to a market economy and provided conditions for foreign investment. In December 1995, the MTD again won the parliamentary elections, and in the uncontested elections in February 1996, A. Mascarenhas was re-elected to the presidency.
Economy. In 1994, the country's GDP was $343 million, or $900 per person. With considering low prices the latter figure can be considered equivalent to $1,040. In the early 1990s, the average annual economic growth rate was approx. 4 %. In the mid-1990s, approx. 40% of the working population. The share of these industries in GDP was only slightly more than 20% of GDP. The country is forced to import most of the necessary food, although the islands grow corn, legumes, sweet potatoes and sugar cane. The most important commercial products are fish and seafood, bananas, coffee and peanuts. Industry is underdeveloped. In 1994, it accounted for 6.5% of GDP and 5% of employees. The main industries are the production of canned fish, the extraction of table salt, tailoring, ship repair, and the processing of agricultural products. In 1993, the government decided to create free zones in which investors were exempted from paying customs duties and taxes on exported goods and services. The Cape Verde Islands are located on trade and transport routes in the Atlantic Ocean. Ports and airfields of the country are transit centers for servicing foreign ships and aircraft. For a long time, the Amilcar-Cabral airport on the island of Sal was a transit point for communication between South Africa and New York. In the 1990s, this airport began to be used for freight traffic European and Latin American airlines. Every year, the volume of maritime traffic through the ports of Praia and Mindelo, modernized in the 1990s, is increasing. The magnificent climate, sandy beaches and the amazing mountain landscape of the islands attract a flow of foreign tourists to Cape Verde (10 thousand in 1995). In 1997, the amount of external debt reached almost 200 million dollars, and 26% of annual export earnings are spent to cover it. Significant funds come in the form of remittances from Cape Verdean natives working abroad. In 1990, this source provided 20% of GDP. Assistance from international economic organizations for the development of the country in 1994 amounted to 35% of GDP.
Story. Around 1460, the Cape Verde Islands were discovered by Portuguese navigators. From 1581 these islands became the possession of Spain, from 1640 - a colony of Portugal. The Portuguese colonists were engaged in the African slave trade. The islands also served as a place of hard labor for convicted Portuguese. Until 1878, the archipelago and Portuguese Guinea were a single colony. In 1951, this colony was declared an "overseas province" of Portugal. In 1963, the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and the Cape Verde Islands (PAIGC) launched a national liberation movement in Portuguese Guinea, which did not spread to the territory of the islands. In 1974, the new government of Portugal, which led the country after the overthrow of the dictatorship of Salazar, recognized PAIGC as the only government in Portuguese Guinea, which was renamed Guinea-Bissau, but this decision did not apply to the Cape Verde Islands. On July 5, 1975, Portugal granted independence to the islands, which have since become known as the Republic of Cape Verde. PAIGC, having received the majority of seats in the National Assembly, included in the new constitution an article on the future unification of Cape Verde with Guinea-Bissau. After the military coup in Guinea-Bissau in 1980, the government of Cape Verde withdrew from the text of the 1981 constitution all references to the future unification of the countries. In 1981, PAIGC in Cape Verde was renamed the African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (PAIKV), which remained the only legal political organization until 1990, when, under pressure from the opposition, it was forced to agree to holding open multi-party elections. In the 1991 elections, the Movement for Democracy (MPD) won the majority of seats in the National Assembly, and Aristide Pereira, who had held the presidency since 1975, was forced to give it to António Mascarenhas. In September 1992, the government introduced a new constitution that established a multi-party system and free market economic development. In the early 1990s, special attention was paid to attracting subsidies from international organizations and foreign investment to the economy, which contributed to the expansion of the industrial sector and the service sector. In the December 1995 parliamentary elections, the MPD retained a majority of the seats in the National Assembly. A month later, the leader of the party, A. Mascarenyash, was re-elected to the post of president. In 1996 Cape Verde became one of the founders of the Community of Portuguese Speaking States.
LITERATURE
Grigorovich A.A., Gribanov V.V. Cape Verde. M., 1988
Collier Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .
Synonyms:See what "CAPE VERDE" is in other dictionaries:
Republic of Cape Verde, state in the Atlantic Ocean, on the islands of Cape Verde, near the west. coast of Africa. The state was proclaimed in 1975 and received the name of the Republic of the Cape Verde Island or, in short, the Cape Verde Island according to its location ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia
The Republic of Cape Verde (Republica de Cabo Verde), a state on the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of the West. Africa. 4 thousand km². population 350 thousand people (1993); mulattos 62%, Africans (fulbe, balante, manja) 35%. Urban population 30%… … Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Exist., Number of synonyms: 1 country (281) ASIS Synonym Dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary
Not to be confused with Cape Verde. Republic of Cape Verde República de Cabo Verde, Kabu Verdi ... Wikipedia
Coordinates: 15°55′ s. sh. 24°05′ W / 15.916667° N sh. 24.083333° W etc. ... Wikipedia
Cape Verde- National coat of arms and flag of Cape Verde. Cape Verde, Republic of Cape Verde (Republica de Cabo Verde). General information. K.V. - a state in the Atlantic Ocean, on the islands Green Cape. The area is 4 thousand km2. Population 328 thousand people (1985) ... Encyclopedic reference book "Africa"
Republic of Cape Verde (República de Cabo Verde), a state on the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of West Africa. 4 thousand km2. Population 350 thousand people (1993); mulattos 62%, Africans (fulbe, balante, manjak) 35%. Urban… … encyclopedic Dictionary
Cape Verde - State structure Legal system Judicial system. Control authorities A state located on the islands of the same name off the western coast of Africa. Territory 4033 sq. km. The capital city of Praia. Population 400 thousand people. (1999), Cape Verdians; … Legal systems of the countries of the world. Encyclopedic reference
CAPE VERDE- REPUBLIC OF CAPE VERDE A state located on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, west of the westernmost point of the African coast of Cape Verde. The archipelago consists of 10 islands and 5 islets, divided into leeward and ... ... Cities and countries
